Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Santa Paula California

It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near Santa Paula CA so you can receive the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding field of healthcare. Of course the initial step is to find colleges that offer the diploma or degree that you would like to earn. When looking for pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are critical factors when picking a school, they are not the only ones. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. And if you prefer studying in your home in front of your computer instead of in a classroom, then finding an accredited online program will also be part of your vetting process. We will address these qualifiers and others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy technician does, the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy technicians have numerous job responsibilities, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Santa Paula CA pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service skills because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription medications per the pharmacist's directions. And they need to have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they can assist customers with understanding directions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever provide medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. All such questions would be handled by the pharmacist. Some of the regular daily services a pharmacy tech may carry out are:

• Greet and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Prepare prescription drugs under pharmacist direction
• Enter prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and monitor and control inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also very common, particularly for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally having to work off-hours is a very rewarding career assisting people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically two alternatives to becoming a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs offer an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an approved Santa Paula CA pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically requires about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more comprehensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. 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 Available

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech colleges opt to get certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Santa Paula CA pharmacies will only employ a tech that has earned certification. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has finished a training program, and has at least one year 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 Tech Online Classes

Before deciding on a pharmacy technician online training program, it's necessary to realize that the majority of schools do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is typically satisfied in an area Santa Paula pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy technician in order to obtain some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed over the internet in your Santa Paula CA home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for many students, notably for those who keep working while earning their degree or certificate. And online colleges are sometimes less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and costs for commuting and course materials can be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is essential for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online college you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less supervised form of education, then online training may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

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 start to narrow your school options. There are numerous pharmacy tech schools to pick from in the Santa Paula CA area and throughout the United States, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for programs that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Santa Paula residence. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are many other issues that you should take into consideration in order to properly compare schools. The questions below will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Most pharmacy tech colleges and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected 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 learning. Make sure to check that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. Along with helping ensure that you get a superior education, it can assist in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Santa Paula CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but a number of pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacy technician college should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of job experience. This requirement may be met by entering a college sponsored internship program.

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

Does the College Provide Job Placement Help? Getting that initial position in Santa Paula CA after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a difficult endeavor without any assistance. Find out if the colleges you are researching have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the school they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Santa Paula CA home. Those who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually 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.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacist tech school you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Santa Paula CA area, make sure that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Santa Paula

Enroll in the Right Santa Paula Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the ideal pharmacy technician training is an important first step to launching your career in a rewarding profession where helping customers with their wellness is your mission. In the past, most pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is offered by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacy technician programs include both classroom and laboratory training. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to choose a school 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 programs so that you are sure to make the best selection. With the proper education and determination you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Santa Paula California.

 

Santa Paula Pharmacy Technician Classes | Santa Paula Pharmacy Tech Schools