Pharmacy Tech College
How to Choose the Right One Near Baytown Texas
Now that you have decided to earn your pharmacy technician degree or certificate near Baytown TX, you might be pondering just how to select the right college to get your education and training. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing schools so that you ultimately pick the right one? When looking for pharmacy technician schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While tuition and location are important concerns when deciding on a school, they are not the sole ones. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. You might also choose to research a few accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifiers and others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online programs.
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Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Certificates
Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally two alternatives to becoming a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also require an internship at an approved Baytown TX pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which typically involves about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more extensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program should provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to become certified.
Pharmacy Tech Certification Options
It is not required to earn certification in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech schools elect to become certified so as to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, a number of Baytown TX pharmacies will only employ a technician that has earned certification. There are two organizations that provide certification:
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
The NHA requires 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 work experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by each program, which can be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Technician Colleges Online
Prior to selecting a pharmacist tech online program, it's necessary to understand that most programs do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is usually satisfied in an area Baytown pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy technician so as to receive some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed over the internet in your Baytown TX home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for most students, especially for those who keep working while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online schools are frequently less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and costs for driving and study materials may be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that each online program you are considering is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, 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 training might be the right option for you.
What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges
After you have determined whether you would like to earn a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy technician schools to select from in the Baytown TX area and throughout the USA, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for programs that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Baytown home. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are many other factors that you must take into consideration so that you may properly compare programs. The following questions will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.
Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacy tech colleges and trade schools have acquired a regional or national 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 verified to furnish a complete quality education. Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Be sure to check that the degree or certificate program in addition to the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Along with helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it may assist in getting financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And many Baytown TX employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but numerous employers prefer that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacist technician program needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This requirement may be fulfilled by entering a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires a year of job experience for certification, which can be fulfilled by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the colleges have associations with Baytown TX area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Give Job Placement Assistance? Finding that first job in Baytown TX upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a difficult endeavor without some help. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of employer contacts where it can place graduating students.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their Baytown TX residence. Students who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something 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 may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacist technician program you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Baytown TX area, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Baytown
Choose the Best Baytown Pharmacy Tech Program
Receiving the ideal pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a fulfilling profession where helping customers with their wellness is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacist techs were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated techs. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist technician schools include both classroom and laboratory training. As we have covered in this article, it's essential to choose a college that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are sure to make the best selection. With the appropriate education and determination you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Baytown Texas.
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