Pharmacy Tech School
How to Select the Best One Near Cypress California

Having decided to earn your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near Cypress CA, you might be wondering how to select the best school to get your education and training. Usually the initial step is to find schools that offer the diploma or degree that you are interested in. When looking for pharmacy technician schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are important concerns when selecting a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation must be evaluated also. And if you prefer attending classes in your home by means of your computer instead of in a classroom, then finding an accredited online school will also be part of your vetting process. We will cover these qualifications and some others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Description

Pharmacy techs have many job functions, but their principal responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed Cypress CA pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they may help customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice relating to medications or anything else. All such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Several of the regular daily services a pharmacy tech may carry out are:

• Greet and help customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription drugs under pharmacist guidance
• Enter prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and control inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, especially for newer techs with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or at times being required to work after hours is an extremely gratifying career assisting customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are essentially 2 alternatives to becoming a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which usually can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs offer an overview to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted Cypress CA pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which generally requires about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should furnish the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices

Certification is not required in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician colleges opt to become certified so as to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, a number of Cypress CA employers will only employ a technician that has earned certification. There are two organizations that provide certification:

• National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every 2 years by both programs, which may be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Colleges Online

Before selecting a pharmacy technician online college, it's important to understand that most schools do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is typically fulfilled in a local Cypress pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to acquire some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be taken over the internet in your Cypress CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for most students, notably for those who keep working while earning their certificate or degree. And online colleges are sometimes less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and costs for driving and study materials can be reduced significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that any online college you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online classes may be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

After you have determined whether you would like to earn a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are many pharmacist technician programs to pick from in the Cypress CA area and throughout the Country, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Cypress home. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are many other factors that you need to consider so that you may adequately compare schools. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Many pharmacy tech colleges and trade schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to offer a complete quality education. Online colleges may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Don't forget to verify that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. In addition to helping ensure that you obtain a superior education, it can assist in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And many Cypress CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but a number of pharmacies prefer that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacist tech school should ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of professional experience. This condition can be fulfilled by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates one year of job experience for certification, which may be satisfied through an internship program. One of the best ways to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the programs have associations with Cypress CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Securing that first position in Cypress CA upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a daunting endeavor without any support. Ask if the schools you are considering have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Cypress CA residence. Those who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacy tech college you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Cypress CA area, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Cypress

Choose the Right Cypress Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the right pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to launching your career in a fulfilling profession where assisting customers with their health is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is provided by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacist technician colleges incorporate both classroom and clinical training. As we have covered in this article, it's necessary to choose a college that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This holds true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to compare schools so that you are certain to make the best choice. With the right training and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Cypress California.

 

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