Pharmacy Tech College
How to Find the Best One Near Hayward California

It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near Hayward CA so you can receive 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 subsequently enroll in the ideal one? A number of potential students start by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their residence, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are critical factors when selecting a college, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. 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 go over these qualifications and others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy technicians have various job functions, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Hayward CA pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills 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 a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can help customers with understanding instructions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice pertaining to medications or anything else. All such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily tasks a pharmacy tech might carry out are:

• Welcome and help customers with medications and other questions
• Prepare prescription drugs under pharmacist guidance
• Add customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and monitor and control inventory

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, particularly for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work after hours is a very satisfying career assisting customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Certificates

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially 2 alternatives to training to be a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs offer an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an approved Hayward CA pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually requires about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program should furnish the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech programs choose to get certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, a number of Hayward CA employers will only employ a tech 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 candidate be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has finished 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 exam. Recertification is called for every two years by both programs, which can be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Classes

Prior to choosing a pharmacist technician online training program, it's necessary to understand that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is commonly satisfied in a local Hayward pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working with an experienced pharmacy technician in order to get some work place experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken online in your Hayward CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for most students, especially for those who keep working while earning their certificate or degree. And online programs are often more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials may be decreased substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that each online college you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online instruction might be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

After you have determined whether you wish to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are numerous pharmacist tech programs to choose from in the Hayward CA area and throughout the Country, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Hayward residence. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are several other issues that you need to consider in order to adequately compare schools. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Most pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to provide a complete quality education. Online programs may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Be sure to verify that the degree or certificate program in addition to the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. In addition to helping ensure that you get a superior education, it can help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Hayward CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the Program Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many employers prefer that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacy technician program needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This qualification can be satisfied by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates a year of experience for certification, which can be met with an internship program. One of the best ways to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train 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. Find out if the colleges have associations with Hayward CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Assistance? Securing that first position in Hayward CA after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some assistance. Ask if the schools you are researching have job assistance 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 field generating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of employer relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they select will have to be within driving distance of their Hayward CA residence. Students who have chosen 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. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical student to teacher 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 perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacy tech school you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Hayward 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 enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Hayward

Choose the Best Hayward Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the right pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a rewarding occupation where helping people with their health is your purpose. Traditionally, many pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy technician schools include both classroom and laboratory training. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary to choose a college that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This applies both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are certain to make the right choice. With the appropriate training and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Hayward California.

 

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