Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Find the Best One Near San Jose California

Now it’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near San Jose CA in order to receive the right training to build a career in the rewarding profession of medicine. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing schools so that you ultimately enroll in the best one? A number of prospective students begin by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are significant concerns when deciding on a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifications including reputation and accreditation need to be evaluated also. And if you prefer studying at home by means of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online school will also be included in your vetting process. We will address these qualifications and some others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Degrees

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally 2 alternatives to becoming a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which usually can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted San Jose CA pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually takes about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program can provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech schools opt to get certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, a number of San Jose CA employers will only employ a technician that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requires 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 work experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every two years by both programs, which can be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Colleges

Before selecting a pharmacy tech online school, it's necessary to understand that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is usually fulfilled in an area San Jose pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to acquire some work place experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken online in your San Jose CA home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for most students, notably for those who continue to work while earning their degree or certificate. And online schools are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and study materials can be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online college you are considering is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, for instance 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 might be the best option for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

After you have determined whether you would like to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacist tech programs to choose from in the San Jose CA area and throughout the Country, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably initially look for schools that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your San Jose home. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are many other variables that you must consider in order to properly compare programs. The questions below will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Most pharmacist tech programs and trade schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to furnish a comprehensive quality education. Online schools may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online education. Don't forget to confirm that the degree or certificate program as well as the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. Besides helping ensure that you obtain a quality education, it might help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of San Jose CA employers 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 all states, but many employers desire that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacy tech school needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This condition can be fulfilled by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of experience for certification, which can be met by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the colleges have a working relationship with San Jose CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Give Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial position in San Jose CA upon graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a difficult undertaking without some 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 indication that the school has a good reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can place graduates.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they select will have to be within travelling distance of their San Jose CA home. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacist tech school you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the San Jose CA area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in San Jose

Choose the Best San Jose Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the best pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to beginning your career in a rewarding profession where assisting people with their health is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacist techs were taught "on the job". These days, most employers can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is furnished by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacy technician schools incorporate both laboratory and classroom work. As we have discussed in this article, it's necessary to choose a college that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This holds true both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are certain to make the best choice. With the appropriate training and dedication you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy tech in San Jose California.

 

San Jose Pharmacy Technician Certificate | San Jose Pharmacy Technician Certificate Online