Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Lafayette California

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Lafayette CA in order to get the proper training to build a career in the rewarding profession of healthcare. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing colleges so that you subsequently pick the right one? When checking out pharmacy technician programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While tuition and location are critical factors when selecting a college, they are not the sole ones. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. You may also want to take a look at several accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifications and others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy technicians have many job functions, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed Lafayette CA pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service abilities 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 need to have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they may assist customers with understanding instructions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice regarding prescriptions or anything else. All such questions would be handled by the pharmacist. Some of the regular daily functions a pharmacy tech may carry out are:

• Greet and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Prepare prescription medicines under pharmacist guidance
• Input customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and manage 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 payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or at times being required to work after hours is a very rewarding career helping customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially two alternatives to becoming a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be completed in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also require an internship at an approved Lafayette CA pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually requires about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program can furnish the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech colleges elect to get certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Also, many Lafayette CA employers will only hire a tech that has earned certification. 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 completed a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every 2 years by both programs, which can be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Schools

Prior to choosing a pharmacy tech online program, it's necessary to realize that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is usually fulfilled in an area Lafayette pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to get 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 option is more practical for many students, notably for those who keep working while attaining their degree or certificate. And online colleges are sometimes more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for commuting 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 each online school you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online classes might be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

After you have determined whether you would like to attain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are many pharmacist technician colleges to pick from in the Lafayette CA area and throughout the United States, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Lafayette home. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be critical. But there are a number of other factors that you should take into consideration so that you may effectively compare colleges. The questions below will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Many pharmacist technician programs and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to furnish a complete superior education. Online programs may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance learning. Make sure to check that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Besides helping make sure that you get a quality education, it might help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Lafayette CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the College Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but numerous employers prefer that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech school should prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This requirement may be fulfilled by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of job experience for certification, which may be satisfied with an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the schools have associations with Lafayette CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Help? Securing that initial position in Lafayette CA after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a daunting task without any help. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Lafayette CA residence. Students who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally 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.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacist technician school you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Lafayette CA area, verify that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Find Out More about Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Lafayette

Choose the Best Lafayette Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the right pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to starting your career in a fulfilling occupation where helping customers with their wellness is your mission. Traditionally, many pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated technicians. Training is offered by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist tech programs include both classroom and laboratory work. As we have covered in this article, it's important to enroll in a college that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is true both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional tips you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are sure to make the best selection. With the right training and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Lafayette California.

 

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