Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Stanford California

Now that you have decided to earn your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near Stanford CA, you might be thinking about just how to choose the right college to receive your education and training. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating colleges so that you ultimately enroll in the best one? When checking out pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are significant factors when picking a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be taken into account also. You might also want to look into a few accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifiers and others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online programs.

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Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally 2 options to becoming a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also include an internship at an approved Stanford CA pharmacy or similar 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 expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should furnish the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Options

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech programs opt to get certified so as to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, a number of Stanford CA pharmacies will only employ a technician that is certified. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the candidate be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is required every 2 years by both programs, which may be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Schools

Before selecting a pharmacist technician online school, it's necessary to realize that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is typically fulfilled in a local Stanford pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to get some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be taken over the internet in your Stanford CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for most students, notably for those who keep working while earning their certificate or degree. And online schools are often more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and study materials may be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is important for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that any online school you are reviewing is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, such as 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 might be the right solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

Once you have determined whether you wish to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school options. There are a large number of pharmacy tech programs to choose from in the Stanford CA area and throughout the United States, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Stanford residence. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are several other factors that you need to consider so that you may effectively compare schools. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Most pharmacy technician colleges and vocational schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online schools may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Don't forget to verify that the degree or certificate program in addition to the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. Along with helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it can help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Stanford CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but numerous pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacy technician school needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of job experience. This requirement can be satisfied by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of professional experience for certification, which may be met through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the colleges have a working relationship with Stanford CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Give Job Placement Help? Finding that initial job in Stanford CA upon graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a daunting endeavor without any assistance. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs. If they do, 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 creating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Stanford CA residence. Those who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry 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 school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacy technician college you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Stanford CA area, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

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

Choose the Right Stanford Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the ideal pharmacy tech training is an important first step to starting your career in a gratifying profession where helping people with their wellness is your purpose. Traditionally, many pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of employers can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated techs. Training is furnished by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist technician colleges incorporate both classroom and laboratory work. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to select a college that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is 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 programs so that you are certain to make the ideal choice. With the right training and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Stanford California.

 

Stanford Pharmacy Technician Classes | Stanford Pharmacy Tech Schools