Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Gadsden Alabama
It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near Gadsden AL in order to receive the proper training to build a career in the rewarding field of healthcare. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing schools so that you subsequently enroll in the best one? When checking out pharmacy technician schools, many potential students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are critical factors when picking a college, they are not the only ones. Qualifications including reputation and accreditation need to be taken into account as well. And if you prefer studying at home in front of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online college will also be part of your vetting process. We will address these qualifiers and others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online classes.
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Pharmacy Technician Job Description
Pharmacy techs have multiple job duties, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Gadsden AL pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service abilities since they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's directions. And they need to have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can help customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice relating to medications or anything else. Any such questions should be addressed by the pharmacist. Several of the common daily functions a pharmacy tech may carry out are:
- Greet and assist customers with medications and other questions
- Fill prescription medicines under pharmacist direction
- Input prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
- Phone customers when their prescriptions are ready 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 technicians will spend most of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, especially for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work after hours is an extremely rewarding career assisting customers with their health and wellness.
Pharmacy Tech Degree Programs
Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially 2 options to training to be a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be completed in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an accepted Gadsden AL pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually takes about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more extensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can furnish the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.
Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available
It is not required to earn certification in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy technician colleges elect to become certified so as to be more qualified in the job market. Also, many Gadsden AL employers will only hire a technician that has earned certification. There are 2 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 finished a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by each program, which can be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Technician Schools Online
Before selecting a pharmacy tech online program, it's important to realize that most programs do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is typically satisfied in an area Gadsden pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working with an experienced pharmacy technician so as to obtain some work place experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online in your Gadsden AL home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for most students, particularly for those who continue to work while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online colleges are often less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and course materials can be reduced significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online school you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less supervised form of education, then online classes may be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools
Once you have decided whether you want to attain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist tech schools to choose from in the Gadsden AL area and throughout the Country, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Gadsden home. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are many other variables that you should consider so that you may adequately compare schools. The questions below will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your final selection.
Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? The majority of pharmacy technician colleges and trade schools have earned a regional or national 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 certified to offer a complete superior education. Online colleges may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance learning. Don't forget to verify that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Besides helping make sure that you get 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 Gadsden 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 mandated in all states, but many employers prefer that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacist tech program should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of work experience. This qualification may be met by participating in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires one year of job experience for certification, which may be fulfilled with an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Ask if the colleges have a working relationship with Gadsden AL area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the College Offer Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first job in Gadsden AL upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a challenging undertaking without some support. Ask if the schools you are researching have job assistance programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduating students.
Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Gadsden AL residence. Students 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 importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing 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 final decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacist technician college you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Gadsden AL area, verify 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 carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.
Find Out More about Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Gadsden
Choose the Right Gadsden Pharmacy Tech Program
Getting the right pharmacy tech training is an important first step to beginning your career in a gratifying profession where helping people with their wellness is your objective. In the past, many pharmacy techs were trained "on the job". These days, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated techs. Training is furnished by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacy tech colleges incorporate both classroom and laboratory training. As we have covered in this article, it's necessary to enroll in a school that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This is true both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are sure to make the best choice. With the right training and determination you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Gadsden Alabama.
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