Pharmacy Tech School
How to Find the Right One Near Santa Cruz California

Now that you have made the decision to earn your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near Santa Cruz CA, you may be wondering just how to select the best college to get your education and training. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing schools so that you ultimately pick the best one? Many prospective students start by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While cost and location are significant factors when picking a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers including accreditation and reputation must be considered as well. And if you are interested in studying in your home by means of your computer instead of in a classroom, then finding an accredited online college 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 diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Technician Diplomas and Degrees

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially 2 options to becoming a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be finished in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. Many programs also require an internship at an accepted Santa Cruz CA pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually requires about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more expansive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician programs opt to get certified so as to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, a number of Santa Cruz CA employers 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 requirements are that the candidate be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is required every 2 years by each program, which may be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Colleges Online

Prior to deciding on a pharmacist technician online school, it's necessary to understand that most schools do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is typically fulfilled in a local Santa Cruz pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under an experienced pharmacy technician so as to obtain some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be taken online in your Santa Cruz CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for most students, particularly for those who continue to work while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online programs are often less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and course materials may be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is critical for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that each online program you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online classes may be the ideal solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

After you have determined whether you wish to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist technician schools to pick from in the Santa Cruz CA area and throughout the USA, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for schools that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Santa Cruz home. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are several other factors that you need to take into consideration in order to effectively compare colleges. The questions below will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Most pharmacist tech colleges and vocational schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online schools may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online learning. Be sure to check that the certificate or degree program together with the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. In addition to helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it may help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Santa Cruz CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but many pharmacies prefer that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacy technician college needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This qualification can be fulfilled by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires a year of job experience for certification, which may be satisfied 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 practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Find out if the colleges have a working relationship with Santa Cruz CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial job in Santa Cruz CA after graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a challenging endeavor without some help. Ask if the schools you are researching have job placement programs. If they do, 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 generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Santa Cruz CA residence. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online naturally 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 bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even 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 normally charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacy tech college you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Santa Cruz CA area, verify that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Santa Cruz

Enroll in the Right Santa Cruz Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the right pharmacy tech training is an important first step to starting your career in a fulfilling occupation where assisting people with their health is your objective. In the past, many pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated techs. Training is provided by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacy tech schools incorporate both clinical and classroom work. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to choose a school that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This applies both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you follow our other tips you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the ideal choice. With the appropriate education and commitment you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Santa Cruz California.

 

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