Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Gilroy California

Having made the decision to attain your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Gilroy CA, you might be thinking about just how to select the best college to receive your education and training. Naturally the first step is to locate colleges that offer the diploma or degree that you would like to earn. When checking out pharmacy technician schools, many potential students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are significant concerns when picking a school, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation must be considered also. You might also want to take a look at a few accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifiers and some others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online classes.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Description

Pharmacy technicians have many job responsibilities, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Gilroy CA pharmacist. They must also have great customer service abilities because they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when preparing prescription medications per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they may help customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice regarding prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions should be addressed by the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily duties a pharmacy tech might carry out are:

• Greet and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Prepare prescription medicines under pharmacist guidance
• Enter prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also very common, particularly for newer techs with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or at times being required to work off-hours is a very satisfying career assisting people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Diplomas

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally two alternatives to becoming a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which usually can be completed in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an approved Gilroy CA pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually requires about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program can furnish the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech schools opt to become certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Gilroy CA employers will only hire a technician that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that offer 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 professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by both programs, which can be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Programs Online

Before choosing a pharmacist technician online program, it's important to realize that the majority of programs do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is commonly satisfied in a local Gilroy pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to receive some work place experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed over the internet in your Gilroy CA home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for many students, notably for those who keep working while earning their degree or certificate. And online colleges are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and study materials may be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is critical for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that any online program you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less supervised form of education, then online instruction might be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

After you have decided whether you wish to earn a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist technician colleges to choose from in the Gilroy CA area and throughout the USA, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably initially look for programs that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Gilroy residence. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other issues that you need to consider so that you may effectively compare programs. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? The majority of pharmacy technician colleges and trade schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. Among 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 schools may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Don't forget to verify that the degree or certificate program together with the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Besides helping ensure that you get a quality education, it might assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Gilroy CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacy technician school should prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This condition can be met by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires one year of professional experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the schools have a working relationship with Gilroy CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Securing that first job in Gilroy CA upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a challenging endeavor without some assistance. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Gilroy CA residence. Students who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacist tech college you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Gilroy CA area, make certain that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Gilroy

Enroll in the Right Gilroy Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the ideal pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to beginning your career in a fulfilling profession where helping people with their wellness is your objective. In the past, most pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is offered by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist tech schools include both classroom and clinical work. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary to choose a college that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This holds true both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other tips you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are sure to make the best choice. With the right training and dedication you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Gilroy California.

 

Gilroy Pharmacy Technician Classes | Gilroy Pharmacy Tech Schools