How to Pick the Best Pharmacist Technician Course Near Decatur Alabama

Now that you have decided to earn your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near DecaturAL, you may be wondering just how to pick the right program to receive your education and training. Usually the initial step is to locate colleges that offer the diploma or degree that you are interested in. Many prospective students begin by looking for schools that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are significant concerns when picking a school, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be taken into account 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 program will also be part of your vetting process. We will go over these qualifiers and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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The Function of a Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians have multiple job duties, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Decatur AL pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service skills since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they can assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever give medical advice pertaining to prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. A few of the typical daily tasks a pharmacy technician may carry out are:

• Greet and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription drugs under pharmacist direction
• Input prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and control inventory

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

Pharmacy Tech Degrees and Diplomas

Individuals 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 2 options to becoming a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be finished in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also require an internship at an approved Decatur AL 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 furnish a more expansive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program can provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacist Technician Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech schools opt to become certified so as to be more qualified in the job market. Also, a number of Decatur AL pharmacies will only hire a tech that has earned certification. There are two organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by each program, which may be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacist Technician Online Schools

Before selecting a pharmacy technician online training program, it's necessary to understand that most schools do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is usually fulfilled in a local Decatur pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to acquire some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training may be taken over the internet in your Decatur AL home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for most students, notably for those who continue to work while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online colleges are frequently less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials may be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is important for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online program you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online classes might be the best solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacist Tech Courses

Once you have determined whether you want to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacist technician programs to choose from in the Decatur AL area and throughout the United States, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Decatur residence. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are several other issues that you should take into consideration in order to adequately compare colleges. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacist Tech College Accredited? The majority of pharmacist technician colleges and vocational schools have acquired 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 certified to furnish a complete superior education. Online colleges may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance learning. Don't forget to confirm that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. Besides helping make sure that you get a superior education, it might help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Decatur AL pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but a number of employers desire that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacist tech 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 work experience. This requirement may be met by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates 1 year of professional experience for certification, which may be met through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the programs have associations with Decatur Alabama area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Assistance? Securing that first position in Decatur AL upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a difficult undertaking without some support. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will need to be within commuting distance of their Decatur AL residence. Students who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacy tech program you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Decatur AL area, verify that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

More on How to Train to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Decatur

Enroll in the Best Decatur Pharmacy Tech Course

Getting the right pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a rewarding profession where assisting customers with their wellness is your objective. In the past, most pharmacy techs were trained "on the job". These days, most pharmacists can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is furnished by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist technician colleges incorporate both laboratory and classroom training. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to choose a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This applies both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our other tips you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are certain to make the right choice. With the proper education and commitment you can reach your goal of becoming a pharmacist tech in Decatur Alabama.

 

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