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

Having made the decision to attain your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near Norwalk CA, you might be wondering just how to select the best college to receive your education and training. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the ideal one? When looking for pharmacy technician programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are important factors when selecting a school, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation must be considered also. You might also want to look into several accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifications and others that you will need to include when comparing 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 classes.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below

Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy techs have various job functions, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the management of a licensed Norwalk CA pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service skills because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may assist 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 give medical advice pertaining to prescriptions or anything else. All such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. A few of the regular daily tasks a pharmacy technician may perform are:

• Receive and help customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription drugs under pharmacist supervision
• Input prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and control inventory

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, particularly for newer techs with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work after hours is a very satisfying career helping customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Certificates

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 generally two alternatives to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also include an internship at an approved Norwalk CA pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative 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 comprehensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program should provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Options

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech colleges elect to get certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Norwalk CA employers will only employ a tech 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 a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which may be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Classes Online

Before choosing a pharmacy technician online school, it's important to understand that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is typically satisfied in a local Norwalk pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to acquire some work place experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken over the internet in your Norwalk CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for many students, notably for those who continue to work while attaining their certificate or degree. And online programs are often less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and costs for driving and study 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 critical for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online school you are reviewing is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online classes might be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

After you have determined whether you wish to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist tech colleges to choose from in the Norwalk CA area and throughout the Country, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Norwalk residence. If you are willing to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be critical. But there are several other factors that you should take into consideration in order to adequately compare colleges. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Many pharmacist technician colleges and vocational schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. Among 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 verified to provide a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online learning. Be sure to check that the degree or certificate program as well as the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. In addition to helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it can assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Norwalk 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 a number of employers prefer that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacy tech school needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This requirement may be fulfilled by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires a year of job experience for certification, which may be satisfied by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Find out if the programs have associations with Norwalk CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial job in Norwalk CA after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a challenging task without some help. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the field creating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Norwalk CA home. Those who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry 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 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 typically charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacist technician college you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Norwalk CA area, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Norwalk

Enroll in the Right Norwalk Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the best pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to launching your career in a gratifying profession where helping people with their health is your purpose. In the past, most pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist tech programs incorporate both laboratory and classroom work. As we have covered in this article, it's necessary to choose a college that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This is true 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 compare colleges so that you are sure to make the right choice. With the appropriate education and dedication you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Norwalk California.

 

Norwalk Pharmacy Technician Classes | Norwalk Pharmacy Tech Schools