Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Choose the Right One Near Danville California

Now that you have made the decision to earn your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near Danville CA, you might be pondering just how to choose the ideal college to receive your education and training. Usually the first step is to find colleges that offer the diploma or degree that you are interested in. Many future students start by looking for colleges that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are significant factors when choosing a college, they are not the sole ones. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. You may also choose to research some accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifications and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Description

Pharmacy technicians have multiple job functions, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must work under the supervision of a licensed Danville CA pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities because they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription medications per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may assist customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice pertaining to medications or anything else. Any such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily functions a pharmacy technician might carry out are:

• Welcome and help customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription medicines under pharmacist guidance
• Add prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and manage inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, especially for newer techs with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work off-hours is a very rewarding career assisting people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Degree Programs

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially two options to training to be a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be finished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted Danville CA pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically involves about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more extensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can furnish the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Options

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy tech programs opt to get certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, a number of Danville CA employers will only hire a technician that is certified. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requires that the candidate be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every two years by each program, which can be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Schools Online

Prior to choosing a pharmacist tech online school, it's necessary to realize that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is commonly fulfilled in a local Danville pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy technician so as to receive some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be taken over the internet in your Danville CA home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for most students, particularly for those who keep working while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online programs are often more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and course materials may be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that each online college you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online instruction may be the right solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

Once you have determined whether you would like to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are many pharmacy technician colleges to select from in the Danville CA area and throughout the USA, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Danville home. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be important. But there are several other variables that you must take into consideration so that you may effectively compare schools. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Most pharmacist tech programs and trade schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to furnish a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Be sure to verify that the degree or certificate program in addition to the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping make sure that you obtain a superior education, it may help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Danville CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but many employers desire that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacy technician program should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This condition can be satisfied by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires 1 year of experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire 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 a working relationship with Danville CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first job in Danville CA after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a challenging undertaking without some support. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Danville CA residence. Those who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacist technician program you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Danville CA area, verify that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Danville

Choose the Best Danville Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the best pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to beginning your career in a gratifying profession where helping customers with their wellness is your purpose. Traditionally, many pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". These days, most pharmacists can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist tech programs include both laboratory and classroom training. As we have discussed in this article, it's necessary to select a school that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This is true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the best selection. With the appropriate education and dedication you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Danville California.

 

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