Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Los Altos California
Now that you have made the decision to earn your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Los Altos CA, you may be thinking about just how to select the ideal school to receive your education and training. Naturally the first step is to locate schools that offer the degree or certificate that you are interested in. Many future students start by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are significant factors when selecting a college, they are not the sole ones. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. And if you prefer studying at home by means of your computer instead of in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online school will also be part of your vetting process. We will cover these qualifiers and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online classes.
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Pharmacy Technician Certificates and Degrees
Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally 2 alternatives to training to be a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be completed in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted Los Altos CA pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically involves about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more extensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program can provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.
Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered
It is not required to earn certification in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician programs elect to become certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, many Los Altos CA employers will only employ 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 applicant be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by each program, which may be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Technician Classes Online
Prior to choosing a pharmacy tech online school, it's important to understand that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is usually fulfilled in a local Los Altos pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to acquire some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be taken over the internet in your Los Altos CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for many students, notably for those who keep working while earning their certificate or degree. And online programs are often less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and course materials can be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is critical for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online program you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online classes might be the best option for you.
Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges
After you have determined whether you want to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacist technician colleges to choose from in the Los Altos CA area and throughout the United States, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Los Altos residence. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are many other variables that you should take into consideration in order to effectively compare colleges. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final selection.
Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Many pharmacy tech colleges 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). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to offer a complete quality education. Online schools may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online learning. Be sure to verify that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it can help in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Los Altos CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the Program Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but many pharmacies desire that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacy technician program needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of work experience. This requirement may be met by entering a school sponsored internship program.
Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates one year of experience for certification, which may be fulfilled with an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech 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 a working relationship with Los Altos CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Give Job Placement Help? Getting that first job in Los Altos CA after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a daunting endeavor without some help. Ask if the schools you are considering have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a substantial network of employer contacts where it can place graduating students.
Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they decide on will have to be within commuting distance of their Los Altos CA home. Students who have chosen to attend online classes obviously 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 even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program also.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the pharmacy tech college you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Los Altos CA area, confirm 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 have to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Los Altos
Choose the Right Los Altos Pharmacy Tech Program
Getting the ideal pharmacy technician training is an important first step to starting your career in a fulfilling occupation where helping customers with their health is your objective. Traditionally, most pharmacy techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most employers can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacist technician colleges include both classroom and laboratory work. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to select a program that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional tips you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the right selection. With the proper training and determination you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Los Altos California.
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