Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Placentia California

Having made the decision to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Placentia CA, you might be pondering just how to choose the best school to receive your education and training. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing colleges so that you subsequently pick the right one? Many potential students start by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are significant concerns when selecting a college, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership 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 by means of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online program will also be part of your vetting process. We will go over these qualifiers and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Description

Pharmacy techs have various job duties, but their principal responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the management of a licensed Placentia CA pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills since they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when preparing prescription medications per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can help customers with understanding instructions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever provide medical advice regarding prescriptions or anything else. All such questions would be handled by the pharmacist. Several of the common daily duties a pharmacy tech may carry out are:

• Greet and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Dispense prescription drugs under pharmacist supervision
• Add customer and prescription information 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 audit and control inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, especially for newer techs with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes being required to work after hours is a very rewarding career helping customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Diplomas

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially two alternatives to training to be a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be completed in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an approved Placentia CA pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which typically involves about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more comprehensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program should furnish the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech colleges choose to become certified so as to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, a number of Placentia CA pharmacies will only employ a tech that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that offer certification:

• National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

The NHA requires that the applicant be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by each program, which may be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Schools

Prior to choosing a pharmacy tech online college, it's necessary to understand that most schools do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is usually satisfied in an area Placentia pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to receive some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed over the internet in your Placentia CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for most students, particularly for those who keep working while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online programs are sometimes less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and course materials can be decreased 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 employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online college 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 ideal solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges

Once you have decided whether you would like to obtain a degree or a certificate, 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 a large number of pharmacy technician schools to pick from in the Placentia CA area and throughout the USA, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for programs that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Placentia residence. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are many other variables that you need to take into consideration so that you may adequately compare schools. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Many pharmacist technician programs and trade schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among 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 comprehensive superior education. Online programs may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Make sure to check that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Besides helping guarantee that you get a quality education, it may help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Placentia CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but a number of pharmacies prefer that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacy tech program needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of job experience. This requirement can be satisfied by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates a year of professional experience for certification, which can be fulfilled by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Check if the schools have associations with Placentia CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Finding that first position in Placentia CA upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some help. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If so, 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 signifies that it has a large network of employer relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they pick will need to be within travelling distance of their Placentia CA home. Students who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges 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 ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacy tech school you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Placentia CA area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative 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 as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Placentia

Enroll in the Right Placentia Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the right pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to beginning your career in a rewarding profession where helping people with their wellness is your mission. Traditionally, most pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". These days, the majority of employers can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is provided by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist tech schools incorporate both classroom and clinical work. As we have covered in this article, it's essential to select a college that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is true both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other tips you will be able to compare colleges so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the proper training and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Placentia California.

 

Placentia Pharmacy Technician Classes | Placentia Pharmacy Tech Schools