Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Los Gatos California

Now that you have decided to attain your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Los Gatos CA, you might be thinking about just how to select the right program to receive your education and training. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the best one? Many future students start by looking for colleges that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are important factors when picking 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. You might also choose to look into a few accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifiers and some 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 Tech Degree Programs

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are basically two options to becoming a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted Los Gatos 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 offer a more comprehensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available

Certification is not required in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy technician schools opt to get certified in order to be more qualified in the job market. Also, many Los Gatos CA pharmacies 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 only requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every two years by each program, which can be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Classes

Prior to selecting a pharmacy technician online college, it's important to understand that most programs do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is commonly satisfied in a local Los Gatos pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy technician so as to obtain some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed online in your Los Gatos CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for many students, notably for those who keep working while earning their certificate or degree. And online colleges are sometimes less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials may be reduced significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online program you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online instruction might be the ideal solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

After you have decided whether you want to attain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school options. There are many pharmacy technician schools to select from in the Los Gatos CA area and throughout the USA, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Los Gatos home. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are many other factors that you should consider in order to effectively compare colleges. The questions below will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Most pharmacist tech colleges 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). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to furnish a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Make sure to confirm that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. In addition to helping make sure that you receive a quality education, it might assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Los Gatos CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but numerous pharmacies prefer that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacy technician school needs to ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This qualification may be fulfilled by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires a year of experience for certification, which can be fulfilled through an internship program. One of the best ways to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Check if the schools have a working relationship with Los Gatos CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Help? Securing that first job in Los Gatos CA upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a difficult endeavor without any support. Find out if the schools you are considering have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will need to be within driving distance of their Los Gatos CA home. Individuals who have decided 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 importance. One thing to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally 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 far in the back of the classroom 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 reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacy technician school you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Los Gatos CA area, make certain 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, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Los Gatos

Enroll in the Right Los Gatos Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the ideal pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a fulfilling profession where helping customers with their health is your purpose. In the past, most pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is furnished by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist tech programs include both laboratory and classroom work. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to select 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 make use of our other tips you will be able to compare programs so that you are sure to make the best choice. With the right training and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Los Gatos California.

 

Los Gatos Pharmacy Tech Certificate | Los Gatos Pharmacy Technician Schools