Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Select the Best One Near Los Angeles California

Now that you have decided to attain your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Los Angeles CA, you may be pondering how to select the best college to receive your education and training. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the best one? When checking out pharmacy technician schools, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While tuition and location are critical factors when deciding on a school, they are not the sole ones. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. And if you are interested in attending classes at home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then finding an accredited online college will also be included in your vetting process. We will address these qualifiers and some others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy techs have numerous job functions, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Los Angeles CA pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service abilities because they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they can help customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever provide medical advice pertaining to medications or anything else. Any such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the regular daily duties a pharmacy technician might carry out are:

• Receive and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription drugs under pharmacist guidance
• Input customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Contact 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 job, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also very common, especially for newer technicians with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes being required to work off-hours is an extremely fulfilling career helping people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Diplomas and Degrees

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 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 typically can be completed in a year or less. These programs offer an overview to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include classroom and lab training. Many programs also require an internship at an accepted Los Angeles CA pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually takes about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program should provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy technician schools elect to get certified so as to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, a number of Los Angeles CA employers will only hire a tech that is certified. There are two organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requires that the applicant be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every 2 years by both programs, which can be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Classes

Prior to choosing a pharmacy technician online school, it's necessary to understand that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is typically satisfied in an area Los Angeles pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to get some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be taken over the internet in your Los Angeles CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for most students, especially for those who continue to work while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online colleges are often less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and course materials may be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is important for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online college you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online training might be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

After you have decided whether you wish to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacist technician schools to select from in the Los Angeles CA area and throughout the USA, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Los Angeles home. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are many other factors that you must consider so that you may adequately compare programs. The questions below will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? The majority of pharmacist tech programs and trade schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to offer a comprehensive superior education. Online colleges may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Don't forget to confirm that the degree or certificate program together with the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. In addition to helping make sure that you obtain a superior education, it may assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Los Angeles CA employers 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 mandated in all states, but numerous pharmacies desire that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacist tech school needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This qualification can be satisfied by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires one year of job experience for certification, which can be fulfilled by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work 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 meet the requirement. Ask if the programs have a working relationship with Los Angeles CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial job in Los Angeles CA after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a daunting task without any assistance. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can place graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Los Angeles CA home. Those who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly 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 are the Class Sizes ? 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 undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacy technician school you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Los Angeles CA area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn 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 Los Angeles

Choose the Best Los Angeles Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the best pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to starting your career in a rewarding occupation where helping customers with their health is your mission. In the past, many pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated techs. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist tech schools include both classroom and clinical work. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to select a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This applies both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are sure to make the best choice. With the right education and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Los Angeles California.

 

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