Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Pittsburg California

Now it’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near Pittsburg CA in order to get the right training to begin a career in the rewarding profession of healthcare. Of course the first step is to locate schools that offer the degree or certificate that you would like to earn. A number of potential students begin by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are significant concerns when picking a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into account as well. And if you are interested in attending classes at home in front of your computer instead of in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online program will also be part of your vetting process. We will address these qualifications and some others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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

Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

Pharmacy techs have many job responsibilities, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must work under the supervision of a licensed Pittsburg CA pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills since they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they can help customers with understanding instructions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice regarding prescriptions or anything else. All such questions should be handled by the pharmacist. A few of the typical daily duties a pharmacy tech might perform are:

• Welcome and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Prepare prescription drugs under pharmacist guidance
• Enter customer and prescription 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 manage inventory

Due to the nature 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 occasionally having to work after hours is a very satisfying career assisting customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Certificates and Degrees

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially 2 alternatives to training to be a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be completed in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an approved Pittsburg CA pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically 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 necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician programs choose to become certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, many Pittsburg CA employers will only hire a tech that is certified. There are two 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 finished a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by each program, which can be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Schools

Before choosing a pharmacist tech online school, it's important to realize that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is commonly satisfied in a local Pittsburg pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy tech so as to obtain some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be taken over the internet in your Pittsburg CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for many students, particularly for those who keep working while attaining their degree or certificate. And online schools are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and costs for driving and study materials may be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that any online school you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online instruction may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

Once you have decided whether you want to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacy tech programs to select from in the Pittsburg CA area and throughout the United States, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for programs that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Pittsburg residence. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are many other variables that you must take into consideration so that you may effectively compare programs. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacist technician colleges and trade schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a complete superior education. Online schools may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Be sure to verify that the degree or certificate program together with the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. In addition to helping guarantee that you obtain a superior education, it may assist in getting financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Pittsburg CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but many pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacy technician school should prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This requirement may be met by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires 1 year of professional experience for certification, which can be met by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the colleges have a working relationship with Pittsburg CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Securing that initial position in Pittsburg CA upon graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some help. Ask if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Pittsburg CA home. Those who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually 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 class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacist tech college you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Pittsburg CA area, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Pittsburg

Enroll in the Right Pittsburg Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the best pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a fulfilling occupation where assisting people with their wellness is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacist techs were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacies can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is offered by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacist technician programs incorporate both classroom and clinical training. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary to select a college that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other tips you will be able to compare colleges so that you are certain to make the ideal choice. With the right training and dedication you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Pittsburg California.

 

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