Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Pick the Right One Near La Mirada California
Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near La Mirada CA so you can get the proper training to build a career in the rewarding field of medicine. Of course the initial step is to find colleges that offer the degree or diploma that you would like to earn. A number of prospective students begin by looking for colleges that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are significant concerns when selecting a school, they are not the sole ones. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. You may also choose to look into some accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifications and some others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy technician does, the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online classes.
It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below
Pharmacy Tech Job Duties
Pharmacy technicians have multiple job responsibilities, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed La Mirada CA pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service skills since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when preparing prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they may assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice regarding medications or anything else. All such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. A few of the common daily duties a pharmacy technician might perform are:
- Receive and assist customers with medications and other questions
- Fill prescription drugs under pharmacist supervision
- Input customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
- Contact customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
- Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
- Stock shelves and monitor and control inventory
As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also very common, particularly for newer technicians with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally having to work after hours is a very rewarding career assisting people with their health and well-being.
Pharmacy Tech Degrees
Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 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 normally can be completed in a year or less. These programs offer an overview to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an approved La Mirada CA pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually involves about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more comprehensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.
Pharmacy Tech Certification Options
Certification is not required in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician programs choose to become certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, many La Mirada CA pharmacies will only hire a technician that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
The NHA requires that the applicant 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 exam. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which may be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Tech Programs Online
Prior to choosing a pharmacist tech online college, it's important to realize that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is commonly fulfilled in an area La Mirada pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to obtain some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed over the internet in your La Mirada CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for many students, especially for those who continue to work while attaining their degree or certificate. And online schools are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and costs for driving and study materials may be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online program you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online classes might be the best option for you.
Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools
After you have determined whether you wish to earn a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist technician colleges to pick from in the La Mirada CA area and throughout the Country, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your La Mirada home. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be critical. But there are many other issues that you need to take into consideration in order to effectively compare colleges. The following questions will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your final choice.
Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Many pharmacist tech colleges and trade schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to furnish a complete quality education. Online colleges 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 certificate or degree program as well as the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. In addition to helping make sure that you obtain a quality education, it may assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many La Mirada CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but many pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacist technician college needs to ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This qualification may be satisfied by entering a college sponsored internship program.
Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires 1 year of job experience for certification, which can be fulfilled with an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician 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 an excellent way to meet the requirement. Ask if the schools have associations with La Mirada CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Finding that first job in La Mirada CA upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a challenging task without any assistance. Find out if the colleges 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 a good reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduating students.
Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their La Mirada CA residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online 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 keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy tech program you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the La Mirada CA area, make certain that they are offered. 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 protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in La Mirada
Choose the Right La Mirada Pharmacy Tech School
Finding the ideal pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to starting your career in a rewarding profession where helping customers with their health is your objective. In the past, most pharmacist 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 educated techs. Training is furnished by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy tech colleges incorporate both clinical and classroom work. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to choose a program that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This holds true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional tips you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are certain to make the right choice. With the proper training and determination you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in La Mirada California.
La Mirada Pharmacy Technician Schools | La Mirada Pharmacy Technician Training