Pharmacy Tech College
How to Select the Right One Near Lake Forest California

Having made the decision to earn your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near Lake Forest CA, you may be wondering just how to select the ideal program to receive your education and training. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing schools so that you ultimately pick the right one? When checking out pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While tuition and location are critical concerns when selecting a college, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers including reputation and accreditation should be considered as well. And if you are interested in studying in your home by means of your computer instead of in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online school will also be included in your vetting process. We will go over these qualifiers and some others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at what a pharmacy technician does, the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Description

Pharmacy technicians have multiple job functions, but their primary responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Lake Forest CA pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service abilities since they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's directions. And they need to have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they may help customers with understanding directions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no situation should they ever give medical advice concerning medications or anything else. All such questions should be addressed by the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily tasks a pharmacy tech may perform are:

• Receive and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription drugs under pharmacist direction
• Input customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and manage inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy technicians 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 being required to work off-hours is a very fulfilling career assisting customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Diplomas

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

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available

Certification is not required in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy technician programs opt to become certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, a number of Lake Forest CA employers will only employ a technician 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 applicant be at least 18 years old, 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 graduated high school 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 Programs Online

Prior to deciding on a pharmacist technician online college, it's important to realize that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is usually fulfilled in a local Lake Forest pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to get some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken over the internet in your Lake Forest CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for most students, especially for those who keep working while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online programs are often less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and costs for driving and study materials may be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is important for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online college you are looking at 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 supervised form of education, then online classes may be the best solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

After you have decided whether you would like to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist tech colleges to pick from in the Lake Forest CA area and throughout the USA, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Lake Forest residence. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are several other variables that you should 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 selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? The majority of pharmacist technician programs and vocational schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online colleges may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online learning. Make sure to confirm that the degree or certificate program in addition to the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. Along with helping make sure that you obtain a superior education, it might help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Lake Forest CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but many employers prefer that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacist technician school should ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This qualification can be fulfilled by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires one year of job experience for certification, which may be satisfied by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech 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 satisfy the requirement. Find out if the schools have associations with Lake Forest CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Getting that initial position in Lake Forest CA after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a difficult undertaking without some support. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing 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 field creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of employer relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Lake Forest 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. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required 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 are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician school you finally pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Lake Forest CA area, verify that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative 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 might miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Lake Forest

Choose the Best Lake Forest Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the best pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to launching your career in a gratifying occupation where assisting customers with their wellness is your mission. In the past, most pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of employers can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is offered by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist tech schools include both clinical and classroom training. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to select a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This is true both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our other tips you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are sure to make the right selection. With the right training and determination you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Lake Forest California.

 

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