Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Lafayette California
Now that you have decided to attain your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Lafayette CA, you may be pondering how to select the best program to get your education and training. But just how do you approach comparing and evaluating colleges so that you subsequently pick the best one? When looking for pharmacy technician schools, 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 picking a school, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation need to be evaluated as well. And if you are interested in studying at home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then finding an accredited online school will also be included in your vetting process. We will address these qualifiers and some others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online courses.
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Pharmacy Tech Degree Programs
Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally 2 options to becoming a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational 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 different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted Lafayette CA pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally involves about 2 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 down the road. Either program should furnish the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to become certified.
Pharmacy Technician Certification Options
Certification is not required in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy tech schools choose to get certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, a number of Lafayette CA employers will only employ 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, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which may be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Tech Online Classes
Prior to deciding on a pharmacy technician online school, 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 usually fulfilled in a local Lafayette pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working with an experienced pharmacy tech so as to acquire some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken online in your Lafayette CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for many students, particularly for those who keep working while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online colleges are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and course materials can be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is critical for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that each online program you are considering is accredited by a recognized 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 training might be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs
After you have decided whether you wish to earn a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist tech colleges to choose from in the Lafayette CA area and throughout the USA, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Lafayette residence. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be important. But there are many other issues that you need to consider so that you may adequately compare programs. The questions below will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.
Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Most pharmacy technician programs and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to furnish a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may additionally receive 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 in addition to the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Besides helping make sure that you get a quality education, it might assist in getting financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Lafayette 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 a number of employers desire that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacist technician college needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of professional experience. This condition can be met by participating in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of professional experience for certification, which may be satisfied by means of 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 in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with Lafayette CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the School Give Job Placement Help? Getting that first job in Lafayette CA after graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a difficult task without any help. Find out if the schools you are considering 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 a good reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can refer graduating students.
Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they select will have to be within travelling distance of their Lafayette CA residence. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes obviously 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 consider is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost 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 looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacy technician college you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Lafayette CA area, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.
Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Lafayette
Enroll in the Best Lafayette Pharmacy Tech Program
Finding the ideal pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to starting your career in a rewarding profession where helping people with their health is your objective. Traditionally, many pharmacy techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated technicians. Training is offered by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist technician schools include both clinical and classroom work. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to select a college that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional tips you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the appropriate training and determination you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Lafayette California.
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