Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Sunnyvale California

Now that you have decided to earn your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Sunnyvale CA, you might be thinking about just how to choose the best college to receive your education and training. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating colleges so that you subsequently pick the ideal one? When checking out pharmacy technician schools, many potential students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are critical concerns when deciding on a school, they are not the sole ones. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. And if you prefer attending classes in your home in front of your computer rather than 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 reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy technician does, the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy technicians have numerous job responsibilities, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Sunnyvale CA pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills because they will be working 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 may help customers with understanding instructions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice concerning medications or anything else. All such questions should be addressed by the pharmacist. Some of the regular daily services a pharmacy tech might perform are:

• Receive and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Prepare prescription medications under pharmacist supervision
• Add prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and control inventory

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, especially for newer technicians with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or at times being required to work off-hours is a very rewarding career helping people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Diplomas

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally two options to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be finished in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted Sunnyvale CA pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which normally takes about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more in depth education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program can provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Options

Certification is not required in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech colleges opt to get certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Also, many Sunnyvale CA employers will only employ a technician that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requires that the candidate be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every 2 years by both programs, which may be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Colleges

Prior to choosing a pharmacist tech online college, it's important to understand that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is commonly fulfilled in an area Sunnyvale pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to get some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed over the internet in your Sunnyvale CA home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for most students, notably for those who keep working while attaining their certificate or degree. And online programs are sometimes 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 offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online college you are reviewing is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online instruction might be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges

Once you have determined whether you would like to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school options. There are numerous pharmacist technician colleges to pick from in the Sunnyvale CA area and throughout the USA, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for schools that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Sunnyvale home. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are a number of other factors that you must consider so that you may properly compare programs. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Many pharmacist technician programs and trade schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Be sure to verify that the certificate or degree program together with the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Along with helping make sure that you get a superior education, it can help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Sunnyvale CA pharmacies 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 a number of pharmacies prefer that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacy tech program needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of job experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates one year of experience for certification, which may be met through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with Sunnyvale CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Finding that first job in Sunnyvale CA after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a daunting undertaking without any assistance. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduating students.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they choose will need to be within driving distance of their Sunnyvale CA residence. Individuals 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 concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacist tech school you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Sunnyvale CA area, verify that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Sunnyvale

Enroll in the Right Sunnyvale Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the ideal pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a rewarding occupation where helping customers with their health is your mission. Traditionally, most pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, 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. Many pharmacy technician schools include both laboratory and classroom work. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to enroll in a program that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional tips you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are sure to make the right selection. With the right education and dedication you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Sunnyvale California.

 

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