Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Select the Best One Near Irvine California

It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near Irvine CA so you can get the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding profession of healthcare. Usually the first step is to find schools that offer the diploma or degree that you would like to earn. When checking out pharmacy technician schools, many potential students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are significant factors when selecting a school, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers including reputation and accreditation need to be evaluated also. You might also want to look into a few accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will go over these qualifiers and others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy techs have numerous job duties, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Irvine CA pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service skills since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when preparing prescription medications per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they can assist customers with understanding directions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice regarding medications or anything else. All such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the common daily services a pharmacy technician might carry out are:

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

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also very common, especially for newer techs with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work off-hours is a very satisfying career helping customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Training Programs

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 alternatives to becoming a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which usually can be completed in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted Irvine CA pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually involves about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more in depth education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program should furnish the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy tech schools opt to become certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Also, many Irvine CA employers will only hire a tech 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 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every 2 years by both programs, which can be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Programs Online

Before deciding on a pharmacy technician online school, it's important to understand that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is typically fulfilled in an area Irvine pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to receive some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online in your Irvine CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for many students, particularly for those who continue to work while earning their certificate or degree. And online programs are frequently more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and course materials may be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that any online program you are considering is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online instruction may be the right solution for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

After you have determined whether you want to attain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist technician programs to pick from in the Irvine CA area and throughout the USA, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Irvine residence. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other factors that you must take into consideration in order to effectively compare programs. The questions below will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have obtained 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 superior education. Online schools may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online learning. Be sure to verify that the degree or certificate program as well as the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you obtain a quality education, it may help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And many Irvine 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 mandated in all states, but numerous pharmacies prefer that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacy tech school needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This requirement can be met by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates a year of experience for certification, which may be satisfied through an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Find out if the programs have a working relationship with Irvine CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Assistance? Securing that first position in Irvine CA after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a difficult task without any help. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher 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 large network of employer contacts where it can refer graduates.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will need to be within driving distance of their Irvine CA residence. Those who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually 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 person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacist technician college you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Irvine CA area, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option 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 might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Irvine

Enroll in the Best Irvine Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the ideal pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to starting your career in a rewarding occupation where assisting customers with their health is your objective. Traditionally, many pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally trained techs. Training is offered by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist tech colleges incorporate both clinical and classroom work. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to select a college that is accredited and will prepare 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 suggestions you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are sure to make the best selection. With the right education and determination you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Irvine California.

 

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