Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Enroll In the Best One Near San Luis Obispo California

It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near San Luis Obispo CA so you can get the right training to build a career in the rewarding field of healthcare. Usually the initial step is to locate schools that offer the degree or diploma that you would like to earn. When looking for pharmacy technician schools, many potential students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are critical concerns when selecting a school, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications including reputation and accreditation must be taken into account also. And if you are interested in studying at home by means of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online college will also be included in your vetting process. We will cover these qualifiers and some others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

Pharmacy techs have multiple job functions, but their primary responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed San Luis Obispo CA pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they can assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice pertaining to prescriptions or anything else. All such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. Several of the regular daily functions a pharmacy tech may perform are:

• Welcome and help customers with medications and other questions
• Dispense prescription medicines under pharmacist direction
• Input customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and control inventory

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, particularly for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or at times being required to work off-hours is a very rewarding career helping customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Degree Programs

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally 2 options 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 usually can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs offer an overview to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an approved San Luis Obispo CA pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which typically requires 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 decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

Certification is not required in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech programs elect to get certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, many San Luis Obispo CA pharmacies will only hire a tech that is certified. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requires that the applicant be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has at least one year of professional 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 may be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Classes Online

Prior to deciding on a pharmacy tech online school, it's necessary to understand that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is typically satisfied in a local San Luis Obispo pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy technician so as to obtain some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed over the internet in your San Luis Obispo CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for many students, especially for those who continue to work while attaining their certificate or degree. And online schools are frequently more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and course materials can be reduced significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online college you are reviewing is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online instruction might be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

After you have determined whether you would like to attain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacy technician colleges to choose from in the San Luis Obispo CA area and throughout the United States, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your San Luis Obispo home. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other factors that you need to take into consideration in order to effectively compare programs. The questions below will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Many pharmacy technician programs and vocational schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to furnish a comprehensive superior education. Online schools may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Don't forget to verify that the certificate or degree program together with the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. In addition to helping guarantee that you get a quality education, it might assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And many San Luis Obispo 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 required in every state, but many employers prefer that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacy tech 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 professional experience. This requirement may be met by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates 1 year of experience for certification, which can be satisfied with an internship program. One of the best ways to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with San Luis Obispo CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Getting that initial job in San Luis Obispo CA upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a challenging endeavor without any assistance. Find out if the schools you are researching have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a substantial network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their San Luis Obispo CA residence. Individuals who have chosen 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 concern. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally 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 student that prefers to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacy tech school you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the San Luis Obispo CA area, check 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 carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in San Luis Obispo

Choose the Best San Luis Obispo Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the right pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to starting your career in a gratifying profession where helping people with their health is your mission. Traditionally, most pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacists can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy technician schools include both clinical and classroom work. As we have addressed in this article, it's important to select a program that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This applies both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other tips you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are sure to make the best selection. With the proper education and dedication you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in San Luis Obispo California.

 

San Luis Obispo Pharmacy Technician Classes | San Luis Obispo Pharmacy Tech Schools