Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Richmond California

It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near Richmond CA in order to get the right training to begin a career in the rewarding profession of medicine. Usually the first step is to find schools that offer the diploma or degree that you are interested in. A number of potential students begin by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While cost and location are significant concerns when picking a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers including reputation and accreditation need to be evaluated as well. You might also want to take a look at a few accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. 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 discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy technicians have various job functions, but their principal responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Richmond CA pharmacist. They must also have great customer service abilities since they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's directions. And they need to have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may help customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice pertaining to prescriptions or anything else. All such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. A few of the typical daily tasks a pharmacy tech might perform are:

• Welcome and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Fill prescription medicines under pharmacist supervision
• Enter prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, particularly for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work off-hours is a very gratifying career helping people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees and Certificates

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially 2 options to training to be a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be completed in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also require an internship at an accepted Richmond CA pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which normally involves about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more comprehensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program should provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician schools choose to get certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, a number of Richmond CA pharmacies will only employ a tech that is certified. There are two organizations that provide 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 completed a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every 2 years by each program, which may be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Classes

Before deciding on a pharmacy technician online college, it's important to understand that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is typically satisfied in an area Richmond pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to get some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed online in your Richmond CA home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for many students, notably for those who continue to work while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online programs are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for driving and course materials may be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online college you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online classes may be the right solution for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

Once you have decided whether you wish to attain 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 options. There are many pharmacist tech colleges to choose from in the Richmond CA area and throughout the USA, 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 schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Richmond residence. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are many other variables that you should consider so that you may effectively compare programs. The following questions will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Most pharmacy technician colleges and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a complete superior education. Online schools may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Don't forget to confirm that the degree or certificate program as well as the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Along with helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And many Richmond CA pharmacies 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 mandated in all states, but numerous employers prefer that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist technician program needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This condition may be met by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates one year of job experience for certification, which may be satisfied by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the programs have associations with Richmond CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first job in Richmond CA after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a challenging task without some support. Find out if the colleges you are considering 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 a good reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can place graduates.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Richmond 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 area internships will be of importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide 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 typically 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 Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom 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 considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacy technician college you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Richmond CA area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Richmond

Enroll in the Right Richmond Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the best pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a rewarding profession where assisting people with their health is your purpose. In the past, many pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is offered by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacy technician schools include both clinical and classroom work. As we have covered in this article, it's necessary to enroll in a college that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This applies both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional tips you will be able to compare schools so that you are certain to make the best selection. With the proper training and dedication you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Richmond California.

 

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