How to Enroll In the Right Pharmacy Tech School Near Pelham Alabama

Now that you have decided to earn your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near PelhamAL, you might be thinking about how to pick the right college to receive your education and training. Usually the initial step is to find colleges that offer the degree or certificate that you are interested in. A number of prospective students start by looking for colleges that are within commuting distance of their residence, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are critical concerns when picking a school, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation should be considered also. And if you prefer studying in your home in front of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then finding an accredited online college will also be part of your vetting process. We will go over these qualifications and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online classes.

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

The Function of a Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians have various job functions, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Pelham AL pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they may assist customers with understanding directions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice regarding prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. Several of the regular daily duties a pharmacy tech might perform are:

• Welcome and help customers with medications and other questions
• Prepare prescription medications under pharmacist guidance
• Input 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
• Re-supply shelves and audit and control inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, particularly for newer techs with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work after hours is a very satisfying 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 equivalent. There are generally 2 alternatives to training to be a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be completed in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Pelham AL pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally takes about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program can provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy technician programs elect to get certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, many Pelham AL pharmacies 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 requires that the candidate be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every two years by both programs, which can be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Colleges

Prior to selecting a pharmacist technician online school, it's necessary to understand that most programs do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is typically fulfilled in a local Pelham pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working with an experienced pharmacy tech in order to acquire some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed online in your Pelham AL home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for most students, particularly for those who continue to work while attaining their degree or certificate. And online schools are sometimes less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and costs for commuting and course materials may be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is essential for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that any online school you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online classes may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Pharmacist Technician Courses

After you have decided whether you wish to earn a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist tech programs to pick from in the Pelham AL area and throughout the Country, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Pelham residence. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other factors that you must consider in order to effectively compare schools. The following questions will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Many pharmacy technician colleges and trade schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to furnish a comprehensive superior education. Online colleges may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online education. Don't forget to check that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. In addition to helping make sure that you receive a quality education, it can help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Pelham AL pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but numerous pharmacies prefer that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacy tech college needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of professional experience. This qualification may be met by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires a year of professional experience for certification, which may be fulfilled with an internship program. One of the best ways to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Find out if the colleges have associations with Pelham Alabama area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Securing that first job in Pelham AL upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a challenging task without some assistance. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the field creating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can place graduates.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will need to be within travelling distance of their Pelham AL residence. Students who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. 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 might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small 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 classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacy tech school you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Pelham AL area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

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

Find the Right Pelham Pharmacy Technician Program

Finding the ideal pharmacist technician training is a critical first step to starting your career in a gratifying profession where helping customers with their wellness is your mission. In the past, most pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most employers can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacy technician programs include both classroom and clinical training. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to choose a program that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This applies both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are sure to make the ideal choice. With the right training and dedication you can reach your goal to become a pharmacist technician in Pelham Alabama.

 

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