Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Florence Graham California

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near Florence Graham CA in order to get the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding profession of medicine. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing schools so that you ultimately pick the ideal one? A number of potential students begin by looking for schools that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are critical concerns when choosing a college, they are not the only ones. Qualifications including accreditation and reputation need to be evaluated as well. And if you prefer attending classes in your home in front of your computer rather than in a classroom, then finding an accredited online college will also be part of your vetting process. We will cover these qualifiers and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy techs have various job functions, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Florence Graham CA pharmacist. They must also have great customer service abilities since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's directions. And they need to have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may help customers with understanding directions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. All such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily services a pharmacy technician may perform are:

• Greet and help customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription medications under pharmacist supervision
• Input prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and control inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, 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 low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or at times being required to work after hours is a very satisfying career helping customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are essentially 2 options to training to be a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs offer an overview to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include classroom and lab training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Florence Graham CA pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which normally takes about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more extensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program should provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician colleges choose to get certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, many Florence Graham CA employers will only hire a technician that is certified. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the candidate be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by both programs, which may be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Colleges

Before choosing a pharmacy technician online school, it's important to understand that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is usually fulfilled in a local Florence Graham pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under an experienced pharmacy tech so as to get some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed online in your Florence Graham CA home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for many students, particularly for those who keep working while attaining their certificate or degree. And online schools are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and course materials can be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is important for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online school you are reviewing is accredited by an acknowledged 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 instruction might be the best solution for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

Once you have determined whether you want to earn a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are a large number of pharmacy technician schools to choose from in the Florence Graham CA area and throughout the United States, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Florence Graham residence. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are several other issues that you need to take into consideration so that you may properly compare colleges. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Most pharmacy tech colleges and trade schools have earned a national or regional 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 complete superior education. Online programs may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance learning. Make sure to check that the degree or certificate program as well as the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Along with helping make sure that you get a quality education, it might assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Florence Graham CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but a number of pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech college should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of job experience. This requirement can be satisfied by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of job experience for certification, which may be fulfilled through an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the colleges have a working relationship with Florence Graham CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial position in Florence Graham CA after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a challenging task without some support. Ask if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduating students.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they select will need to be within commuting distance of their Florence Graham CA home. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacy technician college you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Florence Graham CA area, verify that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

Find Out More about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Florence Graham

Enroll in the Best Florence Graham Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the right pharmacy tech training is an important first step to beginning your career in a gratifying occupation where helping customers with their health is your mission. Traditionally, most pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". These days, most pharmacists can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated techs. Training is offered by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy technician programs incorporate both classroom and laboratory training. As we have covered in this article, it's essential to choose a school that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This holds true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional tips you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are sure to make the right choice. With the right education and determination you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Florence Graham California.

 

Florence Graham Pharmacy Technician Programs | Florence Graham Pharmacy Technician Classes