Home >> Alabama >> Fairhope >> Pharmacy Technician Certificate Online


Pharmacy Technician Classes
Request Free Information - Fairhope AL 36526

Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Fairhope Alabama

Fairhope Alabama female pharmacy technician assisting woman customerHaving made the decision to earn your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near Fairhope AL, you might be wondering how to pick the ideal college to get your education and training. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing schools so that you ultimately pick the right one? When looking for pharmacy technician programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are critical concerns when deciding on a school, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers including reputation and accreditation need to be evaluated as well. You may also choose to look into some accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will go over these qualifiers and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online programs.

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

Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

Fairhope Alabama hospital pharmacy tech in white lab coatIndividuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech school 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 vocational school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an accepted Fairhope AL pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually involves about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more extensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program should furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech programs opt to get certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, many Fairhope AL employers will only hire a technician that has earned certification. There are two organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requires that the candidate be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is required every 2 years by both programs, which may be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Classes

Fairhope Alabama female student enrolled in pharmacy technician training onlinePrior to deciding on a pharmacy technician online program, it's important to understand that most schools do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is usually fulfilled in a local Fairhope pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy tech so as to receive some work place experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed over the internet in your Fairhope AL home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for most students, notably for those who keep working while attaining their degree or certificate. And online schools are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and study materials may be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that any 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 learn with a less supervised form of education, then online training may be the best solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges

After you have determined whether you would like to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are numerous pharmacy technician programs to pick from in the Fairhope AL area and throughout the USA, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Fairhope home. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other variables that you must take into consideration in order to adequately compare programs. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Many pharmacist technician colleges and trade schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to provide a comprehensive quality education. Online schools may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance education. Don't forget to verify that the certificate or degree program together with the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. In addition to helping make sure that you obtain a quality education, it may assist in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And many Fairhope AL pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but numerous employers prefer that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacy technician college needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This qualification can be met by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of experience for certification, which can be fulfilled by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Check if the schools have a working relationship with Fairhope AL area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Finding that first position in Fairhope AL upon graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a challenging undertaking without any support. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Fairhope AL home. Those 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 keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit far in the back 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 colleges you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy tech program you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Fairhope AL area, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Fairhope

Choose the Right Fairhope Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the best pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to launching your career in a rewarding profession where assisting people with their health is your purpose. In the past, many pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is furnished by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy tech colleges incorporate both clinical and classroom training. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to enroll in a program that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This is true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional tips you will be able to compare colleges so that you are certain to make the ideal choice. With the right education and commitment you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Fairhope Alabama.




 

Fairhope Pharmacy Tech Certificate | Fairhope Pharmacy Technician Schools