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

Now that you have made the decision to earn your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Stanton CA, you may be thinking about just how to pick the right college to receive your education and training. Of course the initial step is to find schools that offer the diploma or degree that you are interested in. Many potential students begin by looking for colleges that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are critical factors when selecting a college, 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 are interested in attending classes in your home by means of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then finding an accredited online college will also be included in your vetting process. We will go over these qualifiers and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Description

Pharmacy technicians have multiple job functions, but their primary responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must work under the management of a licensed Stanton CA pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service abilities since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's directions. And they need to have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they can help customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice relating to medications or anything else. Any such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily services a pharmacy tech may carry out are:

• Receive and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription medications under pharmacist direction
• Add prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and manage inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, especially for newer techs with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work after hours is an extremely fulfilling career assisting customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically two 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 usually can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an accepted Stanton CA pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually involves about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more in depth education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program should provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech colleges opt to become certified so as to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, many Stanton CA employers will only employ a tech that has earned certification. There are 2 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, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every two years by each program, which can be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Classes

Prior to deciding on a pharmacy technician online training program, it's important to realize that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is typically satisfied in an area Stanton pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to receive some work place experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online in your Stanton CA home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for most students, particularly for those who continue to work while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online programs are frequently less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and course materials may be reduced significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is important for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online school you are reviewing is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, 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 ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

After you have determined whether you wish to earn a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are a large number of pharmacy tech programs to choose from in the Stanton CA area and throughout the Country, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Stanton home. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are a number of other variables that you should take into consideration so that you may properly compare schools. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Most pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to offer a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance education. Don't forget to verify that the certificate or degree program in addition to the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Besides helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it can assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Stanton CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the College Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but a number of pharmacies desire that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacy technician college should prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This condition can be met by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates one year of job experience for certification, which can be fulfilled by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Check if the colleges have associations with Stanton CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Give Job Placement Assistance? Getting that initial job in Stanton CA after graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a difficult endeavor without any support. Find out if the colleges you are considering have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they select will have to be within commuting distance of their Stanton CA residence. Those who have decided 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 keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the typical teacher to student 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 talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacist tech college you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Stanton CA area, make certain that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have 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 emergencies.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Stanton

Choose the Right Stanton Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the right pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a fulfilling occupation where assisting customers with their wellness is your purpose. In the past, most pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated technicians. Training is furnished by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist tech programs include both classroom and clinical training. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to select a college that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This holds true both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other suggestions you will be able to compare colleges so that you are certain to make the ideal selection. With the appropriate education and commitment you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Stanton California.

 

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