How to Select the Best Pharmacy Tech School Near Hartselle Alabama

Having made the decision to attain your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near HartselleAL, you may be pondering how to choose the ideal school to receive your education and training. Of course the first step is to locate schools that offer the degree or diploma that you would like to earn. Many prospective students begin by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are critical concerns when picking a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifications including accreditation and reputation need to be taken into account as well. And if you are interested in attending classes at home by means of your computer instead of in a classroom, then finding an accredited online program will also be included in your vetting process. Let's take a look at the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online classes.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below

Pharmacy Technician Degrees

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally two options to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Hartselle AL pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally involves about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more comprehensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program can provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy tech schools elect to get certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Also, many Hartselle AL pharmacies will only hire a tech that is certified. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

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

Pharmacy Technician Online Colleges

Before deciding on a pharmacy technician online training program, it's important to understand that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is typically satisfied in a local Hartselle pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to get some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed over the internet in your Hartselle AL home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for many students, especially for those who keep working while earning their degree or certificate. And online schools are sometimes less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and study materials may be reduced significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that each online program you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online instruction might be the right choice for you.

Learn How to Train to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Hartselle

Enroll in the Best Hartselle Pharmacy Technician School

Finding the ideal pharmacist tech training is a critical first step to launching your career in a fulfilling occupation where assisting customers with their health is your mission. In the past, most pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally trained techs. Training is provided by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacist technician colleges include both classroom and laboratory training. As we have addressed in this article, it's important to select a college that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This applies both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. With the proper education and determination you can realize your goal of becoming a pharmacist tech in Hartselle Alabama.

 

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