Pharmacy Tech School
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Hawthorne California

Now that you have decided to earn your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Hawthorne CA, you may be thinking about just how to pick the right program to get your education and training. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing colleges so that you ultimately enroll in the ideal one? When checking out pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While tuition and location are important concerns when deciding on a school, they are not the only ones. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. You might also decide to look into several accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will go over these qualifications and others that you will want 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 advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

Pharmacy technicians have numerous job functions, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Hawthorne CA pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills since they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can assist customers with understanding directions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever provide medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. All such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Several of the common daily functions a pharmacy tech might carry out are:

• Receive and help customers with medications and other questions
• Dispense prescription drugs under pharmacist supervision
• Enter customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and monitor and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also very common, particularly for newer techs with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work after hours is an extremely rewarding career assisting customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are essentially 2 options to becoming a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be completed in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include lab and classroom training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Hawthorne CA pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which typically takes about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more comprehensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program should provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech programs elect to become certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, many Hawthorne CA pharmacies will only hire a tech 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 at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every 2 years by both programs, which can be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Programs Online

Before deciding on a pharmacy tech online school, it's necessary to realize that most schools do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is typically satisfied in a local Hawthorne pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to acquire some work place experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken online in your Hawthorne CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for most students, especially for those who keep working while attaining their degree or certificate. And online schools are frequently less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and course materials can be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is essential for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online program you are considering is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, 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 training might be the best option for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

Once you have determined whether you would like to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are many pharmacist tech programs to select from in the Hawthorne CA area and throughout the United States, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for colleges that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Hawthorne residence. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be critical. But there are several other issues that you must take into consideration in order to effectively compare programs. The following questions will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Many pharmacy technician colleges and trade schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to furnish a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Be sure to check that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. In addition to helping make sure that you receive a superior education, it can help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Hawthorne CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but numerous employers desire that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacist technician school should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of job experience. This condition may be fulfilled by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of job experience for certification, which may be met by means of 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 degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the programs have a working relationship with Hawthorne CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Getting that initial job in Hawthorne CA after graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a difficult endeavor without some help. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they select will have to be within commuting distance of their Hawthorne CA residence. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide 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 usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the pharmacist tech school you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Hawthorne CA area, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More about Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Hawthorne

Enroll in the Right Hawthorne Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the ideal pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to launching your career in a rewarding occupation where assisting people with their wellness is your objective. Traditionally, many pharmacy techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is offered by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacy technician schools incorporate both classroom and clinical work. 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 tips you will be able to compare programs so that you are certain to make the best selection. With the proper training and determination you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Hawthorne California.

 

Hawthorne Pharmacy Technician Certificate | Hawthorne Pharmacy Technician Certificate Online