How to Choose the Right Pharmacy Technician School Near Trussville Alabama

Now that you have made the decision to attain your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near TrussvilleAL, you may be pondering how to pick the right school to get your education and training. Of course the first step is to find schools that offer the degree or diploma that you would like to earn. A number of future students begin by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are critical concerns when picking a college, they are not the only ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation must be evaluated as well. And if you prefer attending classes in your home by means of your computer as opposed to 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 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 classes.

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

The Responsibilities of a Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians have various job functions, but their primary responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Trussville AL pharmacist. They must also have great customer service abilities since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when preparing prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they may assist customers with understanding directions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice relating to medications or anything else. Any such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Several of the common daily duties a pharmacy technician might perform are:

• Welcome and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Prepare prescription medications under pharmacist guidance
• Add customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and control inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, especially for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work off-hours is an extremely fulfilling career assisting customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Training Programs

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are essentially 2 options to training to be a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be completed in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also require an internship at an accepted Trussville AL pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which normally involves about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications

Certification is not required in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician schools elect to get certified in order to be more qualified in the job market. Also, many Trussville AL pharmacies will only hire a tech 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 at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every two years by both programs, which may be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacist Technician Online Schools

Before deciding on a pharmacist technician online training program, it's necessary to understand that the majority of schools do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is commonly fulfilled in a local Trussville pharmacy or health center 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 balance or non-clinical training can be taken online in your Trussville AL home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for many students, particularly for those who continue to work while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online programs are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials can be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that each online school you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, 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 option for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

Once you have determined whether you want to attain a certificate or degree, 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 many pharmacy tech schools to pick from in the Trussville AL area and throughout the Country, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Trussville home. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other issues that you must take into consideration in order to effectively compare colleges. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacist Technician School Accredited? Most pharmacist technician colleges and trade schools have acquired a national or regional 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 offer a complete superior education. Online colleges may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Don't forget to check that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Besides helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it may assist in getting financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Trussville AL employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but a number of pharmacies prefer that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacist tech school needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of job experience. This condition can be fulfilled by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires 1 year of experience for certification, which may be satisfied by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the colleges have a working relationship with Trussville Alabama area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Assistance? Getting that initial job in Trussville AL after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some support. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of employer relationships where it can place graduates.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Trussville AL residence. Those who have decided 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 concern. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacist tech school you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Trussville AL area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

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

Find the Best Trussville Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the ideal pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to launching your career in a fulfilling occupation where helping people with their health is your purpose. In the past, most pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". These days, most pharmacies can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated technicians. Training is offered by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, 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 essential to choose a school that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This is true both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other tips you will be able to compare schools so that you are sure to make the best selection. With the proper training and determination you can realize your goal of becoming a pharmacist technician in Trussville Alabama.

 

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