Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Laguna Woods California

Having decided to attain your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Laguna Woods CA, you may be wondering how to choose the ideal program to get your education and training. Usually the first step is to locate colleges that offer the diploma or degree that you are interested in. When checking out 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 significant concerns when selecting a school, they are not the sole ones. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. You might also choose to research some accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will go over these qualifiers and others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy techs have various job functions, but their primary responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the supervision of a licensed Laguna Woods CA pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever provide medical advice relating to medications or anything else. All such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Several of the typical daily duties a pharmacy technician may carry out are:

• Welcome and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Prepare prescription medications under pharmacist direction
• Enter customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and manage inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, particularly for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally having to work after hours is a very gratifying career helping people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally 2 options to becoming a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an accepted Laguna Woods CA pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which typically takes about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program can provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician schools elect to become certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, a number of Laguna Woods CA employers will only employ a tech that has earned certification. There are two organizations that provide certification:

• National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every two years by both programs, which may be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Colleges Online

Prior to selecting a pharmacist technician online training program, it's important to realize that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is commonly satisfied in a local Laguna Woods pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to obtain some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be taken online in your Laguna Woods CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for many students, notably for those who keep working while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online colleges are sometimes less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and costs for driving and study materials can be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is important for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online school you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online training might be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

Once you have determined whether you would like to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are many pharmacist technician programs to pick from in the Laguna Woods CA area and throughout the Country, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare 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 commuting distance from your Laguna Woods home. If you are willing to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are several other variables that you need to consider in order to effectively compare programs. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Many pharmacy technician programs and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to furnish a complete quality education. Online programs may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Don't forget to confirm that the certificate or degree program together with the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you obtain a quality education, it may assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And many Laguna Woods CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the School Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but a number of pharmacies prefer that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist technician college should prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of work experience. This condition may be met by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of professional experience for certification, which may be fulfilled through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the schools have a working relationship with Laguna Woods CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first position in Laguna Woods CA after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a challenging undertaking without any support. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will need to be within commuting distance of their Laguna Woods CA residence. Students 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 concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacy tech college you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Laguna Woods CA area, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Laguna Woods

Enroll in the Best Laguna Woods Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the right pharmacy tech training is an important first step to starting your career in a rewarding occupation where assisting customers with their wellness is your mission. Traditionally, most pharmacist techs were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacists can no longer operate this way 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. A large number of pharmacy technician programs incorporate both clinical and classroom work. As we have discussed in this article, it's necessary to select a school that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This holds true 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 right training and determination you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Laguna Woods California.

 

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