Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Los Gatos California

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near Los Gatos CA so you can receive the right training to begin a career in the rewarding field of medicine. But just how do you undertake comparing and evaluating schools so that you subsequently enroll in the best one? A number of future students start by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are critical concerns when deciding on a school, they are not the only ones. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. And if you prefer studying in your home in front 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 tech 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 work under the management of a licensed Los Gatos CA pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities because they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription drugs per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they can help customers with understanding directions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. All such questions should be handled by the pharmacist. A few of the typical daily duties a pharmacy tech may perform are:

• Welcome and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Prepare prescription medicines under pharmacist direction
• Input customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and manage inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, especially for newer techs with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work after hours is a very gratifying career assisting people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 options to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be completed in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also require an internship at an approved Los Gatos CA pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which normally takes about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more in depth education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program should furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy tech colleges choose to get certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Los Gatos CA employers will only employ a technician that is certified. There are two organizations that offer 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 work experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every two years by both programs, which may be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Schools

Before deciding on a pharmacist technician online school, it's important to realize that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is commonly fulfilled in a local Los Gatos pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working with an experienced pharmacy tech in order to obtain some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be taken online in your Los Gatos CA home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for many students, particularly for those who continue to work while earning their degree or certificate. And online programs are frequently less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and course materials may be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online program you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, 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 classes may be the right solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

After you have determined whether you wish to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist tech schools to choose from in the Los Gatos CA area and throughout the United States, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community 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 Los Gatos residence. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are several other issues that you must take into consideration so that you may properly compare programs. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Many pharmacy technician colleges and trade schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of 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 furnish a complete quality education. Online colleges may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance education. Be sure to check that the certificate or degree program in addition to the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Along with helping make sure that you obtain a superior education, it might assist in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Los Gatos CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but a number of employers desire that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacist technician program should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of professional experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates a year of experience for certification, which can be met with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the colleges have associations with Los Gatos CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Give Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial job in Los Gatos CA after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a difficult task without any assistance. Find out 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 school has a good reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of employer contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will need to be within travelling distance of their Los Gatos CA residence. Those who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacist tech school you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Los Gatos CA area, verify that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Los Gatos

Choose the Right Los Gatos Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the right pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to launching your career in a gratifying profession where helping customers with their wellness is your objective. In the past, most pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most employers can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is furnished by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy technician schools incorporate both classroom and laboratory work. As we have covered in this article, it's essential to choose a school that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This holds true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to compare colleges so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the right training and commitment you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Los Gatos California.

 

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