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

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near Helena AL so you can get the proper training to build a career in the rewarding field of medicine. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing schools so that you subsequently pick the ideal one? Many prospective students start by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are critical factors when deciding on a school, they are not the only ones. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. You might also decide to research a few accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will go over these qualifiers and others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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

Pharmacy Technician Degrees

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are essentially two alternatives to becoming a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which usually can be finished in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also include an internship at an approved Helena AL pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically takes about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more comprehensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program should furnish the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

Certification is not required in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician schools choose to become certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, a number of Helena 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 at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has finished a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which can be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Classes Online

Prior to selecting a pharmacy tech online program, it's important to realize that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is typically fulfilled in a local Helena pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to get some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be taken over the internet in your Helena AL home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for many students, especially for those who continue to work while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online programs are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and course materials may be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online program you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online training might be the ideal solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

Once you have determined whether you want to attain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist tech schools to pick from in the Helena AL area and throughout the Country, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Helena home. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are many other issues that you need to consider in order to properly compare colleges. The questions below will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? The majority of pharmacy tech programs and vocational schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to offer a comprehensive superior education. Online schools may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Don't forget to verify that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Besides helping make sure that you get a superior education, it might assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And many Helena AL employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but numerous employers desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacy technician school should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of work experience. This condition may be met by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires a year of professional experience for certification, which can be fulfilled through an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the programs have associations with Helena AL area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Assistance? Getting that initial job in Helena AL upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a challenging endeavor without any assistance. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Helena AL home. Those who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to bear 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 typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. 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 as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the pharmacist technician school you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Helena AL area, confirm that they are offered. 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 have to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Helena

Enroll in the Right Helena Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the right pharmacy tech training is an important first step to starting your career in a fulfilling occupation where assisting people with their health is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacy techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally trained techs. Training is furnished by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacist technician colleges incorporate both laboratory and classroom work. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to select a school that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This applies both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other suggestions you will be able to compare programs so that you are sure to make the right choice. With the right training and determination you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Helena Alabama.

 

Helena Pharmacy Technician Programs | Helena Pharmacy Technician Classes