Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Find the Right One Near Malibu California
It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near Malibu CA so you can receive the right training to begin a career in the rewarding field of medicine. Naturally the initial step is to find schools that offer the degree or certificate that you would like to earn. Many potential students start by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are critical concerns when selecting a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be considered also. And if you are interested in studying at home in front of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then finding an accredited online program 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 tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online classes.
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Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities
Pharmacy technicians have many job responsibilities, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Malibu CA pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no situation should they ever provide medical advice pertaining to medications or anything else. All such questions would be handled by the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily duties a pharmacy technician might carry out are:
- Welcome and help customers with medications and other questions
- Fill prescription drugs under pharmacist direction
- Enter customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
- Phone customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
- Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
- Re-supply shelves and monitor and control inventory
As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day standing. 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 at times being required to work off-hours is an extremely rewarding career helping customers with their health and well-being.
Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Diplomas
Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally 2 options to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which usually can be completed in a year or less. These programs offer an overview to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an approved Malibu CA pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which generally requires about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more extensive 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 Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.
Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered
Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician programs opt to become certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, many Malibu CA pharmacies will only employ a tech that has earned certification. There are two organizations that provide certification:
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
The NHA requires that the applicant be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which may be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Technician Programs Online
Prior to deciding on a pharmacist tech online college, it's important to understand that the majority of programs do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is usually fulfilled in a local Malibu pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy tech so as to get some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be taken online in your Malibu CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for many students, notably for those who continue to work while earning their degree or certificate. And online colleges are frequently more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and costs for driving and course materials can be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online program you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less supervised form of education, then online classes might be the best option for you.
Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools
Once you have decided whether you wish to attain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy technician schools to pick from in the Malibu CA area and throughout the United States, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for programs that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Malibu home. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are several other issues that you need to consider so that you may adequately compare schools. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final choice.
Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Most pharmacy technician colleges and vocational schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to provide a complete quality education. Online colleges may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Make sure to verify that the degree or certificate program as well as the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Besides helping guarantee that you obtain a quality education, it might help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Malibu CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacy tech program needs to ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of work experience. This qualification can be fulfilled by participating in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires a year of job experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Ask if the schools have associations with Malibu CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Getting that initial position in Malibu CA after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a difficult task without some help. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can place graduating students.
Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Malibu CA home. Those who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the pharmacy tech program you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Malibu CA area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Malibu
Enroll in the Right Malibu Pharmacy Tech School
Getting the ideal pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a rewarding profession where helping people with their health is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". These days, most pharmacists can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally trained techs. Training is offered by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacist tech schools incorporate both laboratory and classroom training. As we have covered in this article, it's necessary to choose a college that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the right education and commitment you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Malibu California.
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