How to Find the Best Pharmacist Tech Program Near Troy Alabama

Having made the decision to earn your pharmacy technician degree or certificate near TroyAL, you might be wondering just how to pick the ideal college to get your education and training. Usually the first step is to find schools that offer the degree or certificate that you would like to earn. A number of future students start by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are important concerns when selecting a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation should be evaluated also. And if you are interested in studying at home in front of your computer instead of in a classroom, then finding an accredited online college will also be included in your vetting process. 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 what a pharmacy technician does, the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online courses.

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

The Duties of a Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians have various job duties, but their primary responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed Troy AL pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills since they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when preparing prescription drugs per the pharmacist's directions. And they need to have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they can assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no situation should they ever give medical advice concerning medications or anything else. Any such questions should be addressed by the pharmacist. Several of the common daily services a pharmacy tech might carry out are:

• Receive and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription drugs under pharmacist supervision
• Input customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and monitor and control inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, particularly for newer techs with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work after hours is a very fulfilling career assisting customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Diplomas and Degrees

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally two options to training to be a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be completed in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an approved Troy 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 offer a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program can provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Available Certifications

Certification is not required in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy technician schools opt to get certified so as to be more qualified in the job market. Additionally, many Troy AL employers 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 applicant be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which may be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Colleges Online

Prior to deciding on a pharmacy tech online training program, it's important to understand that the majority of programs do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is commonly satisfied in a local Troy pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to acquire some work place experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed over the internet in your Troy AL home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for most students, particularly for those who continue to work while earning their certificate or degree. And online schools are frequently more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and study materials can be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is critical for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online program you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online training might be the right solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges

After you have decided whether you would like to earn a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school options. There are many pharmacist tech programs to choose from in the Troy AL area and throughout the United States, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for programs that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Troy residence. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other variables that you must take into consideration so that you may properly compare schools. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacist Technician School Accredited? Many pharmacy technician programs 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). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online education. Be sure to confirm that the degree or certificate program together with the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Along with helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it can help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Troy AL pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the College Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but numerous pharmacies prefer that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacist tech school should prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This condition may be satisfied by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires one year of experience for certification, which can be fulfilled by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the colleges have associations with Troy Alabama area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first position in Troy AL after graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a challenging undertaking without any help. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their Troy AL home. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the typical 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 determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacy tech program you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Troy AL area, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Learn How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Troy

Enroll in the Right Troy Pharmacy Technician Course

Finding the right pharmacist tech training is an important first step to launching your career in a fulfilling occupation where assisting customers with their wellness is your objective. Traditionally, most pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is offered by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacy tech schools include both laboratory and classroom work. As we have covered in this article, it's essential to choose a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This is true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to compare programs so that you are certain to make the right choice. With the appropriate education and commitment you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Troy Alabama.

 

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