Pharmacy Tech School
How to Select the Best One Near Pasadena California

Now that you have decided to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Pasadena CA, you may be wondering how to choose the best college to get your education and training. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating schools so that you ultimately enroll in the ideal one? When checking out pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are significant concerns when deciding on a college, they are not the sole ones. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. And if you are interested in studying in your home in front of your computer instead of in a classroom, then finding an accredited online program will also be part of your vetting process. We will go over these qualifications and others that you will need 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 techs have many job responsibilities, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Pasadena CA pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's directions. And they need to have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they may help customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice pertaining to medications or anything else. Any such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. Several of the regular daily services a pharmacy technician may perform are:

• Welcome and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Prepare prescription medications under pharmacist guidance
• Enter customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and control inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, particularly for newer techs with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes being required to work off-hours is an extremely fulfilling career assisting people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Diplomas

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially two options to becoming a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be completed in a year or less. These programs offer an overview to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an accepted Pasadena CA pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually involves about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program can provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices

Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech schools choose to become certified so as to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Pasadena CA pharmacies will only hire 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 at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which may be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Colleges

Before selecting a pharmacist tech online training program, it's necessary to realize that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is typically satisfied in an area Pasadena pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to acquire some work place experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online in your Pasadena CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for most students, especially for those who continue to work while earning their degree or certificate. And online schools are frequently more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and course materials can be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is critical for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online school 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 instruction may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

Once you have determined whether you wish to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy tech colleges to select from in the Pasadena CA area and throughout the Country, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Pasadena home. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are many other issues that you should consider in order to properly compare colleges. The questions below will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Many pharmacy tech programs and trade schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a complete quality education. Online colleges may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance education. Be sure to verify that the certificate or degree program in addition to the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. In addition to helping guarantee that you obtain a superior education, it might help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Pasadena CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but numerous employers prefer that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech college needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of professional experience. This qualification may be satisfied by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of job experience for certification, which may be fulfilled by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with Pasadena CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Securing that first position in Pasadena CA after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a difficult task without any help. Find out if the schools you are researching have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Pasadena CA residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes obviously 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 even 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 Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacy tech college you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Pasadena CA area, verify that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, find out 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 Technician in Pasadena

Enroll in the Right Pasadena Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the right pharmacy technician training is an important first step to starting your career in a rewarding profession where helping people with their wellness is your objective. In the past, most pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". These days, most pharmacists can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated techs. Training is furnished by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy technician colleges incorporate both laboratory and classroom training. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to choose a college that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This holds true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional tips you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are certain to make the ideal selection. With the right education and commitment you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Pasadena California.

 

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