Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Select the Best One Near Jacksonville Alabama

Now it’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near Jacksonville AL so you can get the right training to begin a career in the rewarding field of healthcare. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you subsequently pick the best one? A number of future students start by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are important factors when deciding on a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation need to be considered as well. And if you prefer attending classes in your home in front of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online school will also be part of your vetting process. We will cover these qualifications and some others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Description

Pharmacy technicians have multiple job functions, but their primary responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Jacksonville AL pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service skills since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription drugs per the pharmacist's directions. And they need to have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can assist customers with understanding directions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice concerning medications or anything else. Any such questions should be handled by the pharmacist. A few of the regular daily tasks a pharmacy technician may carry out are:

• Receive and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription drugs under pharmacist direction
• Add prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit 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 very common, especially for newer techs with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work after hours is an extremely fulfilling career helping people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Certificates and Degrees

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally two alternatives to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also require an internship at an approved Jacksonville AL pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which typically takes about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more in depth education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech programs elect to get certified so as to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, a number of Jacksonville AL pharmacies will only hire a tech that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be 18 years or older, 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 candidate has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is required every 2 years by each program, which can be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Schools Online

Prior to choosing a pharmacy tech online program, it's important to realize that the majority of programs do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is typically fulfilled in a local Jacksonville pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy tech so as to acquire some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be taken online in your Jacksonville AL home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for many students, especially for those who keep working while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online schools are frequently less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and study materials can be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online program you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online instruction may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges

Once you have determined whether you wish to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are numerous pharmacist tech schools to choose from in the Jacksonville AL area and throughout the USA, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Jacksonville residence. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be critical. But there are a number of other issues that you need to take into consideration so that you may properly compare colleges. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? The majority of pharmacist technician colleges and vocational 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). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to provide a complete quality education. Online schools may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance learning. Make sure to verify that the certificate or degree program in addition to the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it may assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And many Jacksonville AL pharmacies 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 required in every state, but a number of employers prefer that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacist technician program should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of work experience. This condition may be met by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates a year of experience for certification, which can be satisfied by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Check if the colleges have a working relationship with Jacksonville AL area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Help? Finding that initial job in Jacksonville AL upon graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a difficult undertaking without some assistance. Ask if the schools you are considering have job assistance 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 profession creating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Jacksonville AL residence. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacist tech program you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Jacksonville AL area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Jacksonville

Enroll in the Right Jacksonville Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the best pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to launching your career in a fulfilling profession where helping people with their health is your mission. In the past, many pharmacy techs were trained "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is offered by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist tech programs include both classroom and clinical work. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to enroll in a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This is true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional tips you will be able to compare programs so that you are sure to make the right choice. With the appropriate education and commitment you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Jacksonville Alabama.

 

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