Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Saratoga California

Now it’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Saratoga CA so you can get the right training to begin a career in the rewarding field of healthcare. Of course the first step is to locate colleges that offer the diploma or degree that you would like to earn. Many prospective students begin by looking for schools that are within commuting distance of their residence, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are critical concerns when picking a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation must be evaluated as well. And if you prefer attending classes in your home in front of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online school will also be part of your vetting process. We will go over these qualifiers and others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online courses.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Diplomas

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are essentially 2 options to training to be 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 normally can be completed in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also include an internship at an accepted Saratoga CA pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which normally takes about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should furnish the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech colleges choose to get certified so as to be more qualified in the job market. Also, a number of Saratoga CA pharmacies will only hire a tech that is certified. There are two organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the candidate be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every two years by each program, which may be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Classes Online

Before selecting a pharmacist technician online training program, it's necessary to understand that most schools do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is commonly fulfilled in a local Saratoga pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to receive some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed online in your Saratoga CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for most students, particularly for those who continue to work while attaining their certificate or degree. And online schools are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and study materials may be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online college you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, 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 training may be the best solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

After you have determined whether you want to attain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are numerous pharmacist tech schools to pick from in the Saratoga CA area and throughout the United States, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Saratoga home. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be important. But there are many other factors that you should take into consideration in order to effectively compare programs. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Many pharmacist technician colleges and vocational schools have obtained 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 offer a complete quality education. Online schools may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance education. Don't forget to verify that the degree or certificate program in addition to the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. In addition to helping make sure that you receive a superior education, it may assist in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Saratoga CA employers 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 every state, but a number of pharmacies desire that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacist tech college should ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of work experience. This condition can be fulfilled by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates a year of job experience for certification, which may be satisfied with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician 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 a great way to meet the requirement. Check if the programs have associations with Saratoga CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial job in Saratoga CA upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a challenging task without any help. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Saratoga CA residence. Those who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools 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 decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy tech program you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Saratoga CA area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Saratoga

Choose the Right Saratoga Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the right pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to beginning your career in a rewarding profession where helping customers with their health is your objective. Traditionally, most pharmacy technicians were trained "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. The majority of pharmacy technician schools incorporate both classroom and clinical training. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary to select a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This is true both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are certain to make the right selection. With the right education and determination you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Saratoga California.

 

Saratoga Pharmacy Technician Schools | Saratoga Pharmacy Technician Training