Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Mobile Alabama

Now that you have made the decision to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Mobile AL, you may be wondering how to pick the best school to get your education and training. Naturally the initial step is to locate colleges that offer the degree or certificate that you are interested in. When checking out pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are important concerns when picking a college, they are not the sole ones. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. You might also decide to take a look at a few accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifications and some others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy technician does, the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy technicians have many job functions, but their primary responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must work under the management of a licensed Mobile AL pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills since they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription medications per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they may assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice relating to medications or anything else. Any such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the common daily functions a pharmacy technician may carry out are:

• Welcome and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Prepare prescription drugs under pharmacist supervision
• Enter customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and control inventory

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day standing. 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 a very gratifying career assisting people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Certificates and Degrees

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially 2 alternatives to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which usually can be completed in a year or less. These programs offer an overview to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also require an internship at an approved Mobile AL pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which normally requires about 2 years of studies. Although not required 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 should furnish the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech programs opt to get certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, many Mobile AL employers will only hire a tech that is certified. There are 2 organizations that offer 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 work experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every two years by each program, which can be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Colleges

Prior to deciding on a pharmacy tech online training program, it's necessary to realize that most programs do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is commonly fulfilled in an area Mobile pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to obtain some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be taken online in your Mobile AL home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for most students, particularly for those who keep working while attaining their degree or certificate. And online schools are sometimes less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and study materials may be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is critical for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that any online program you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online training might be the right solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

Once you have determined whether you want to earn a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school options. There are many pharmacist technician schools to choose from in the Mobile AL area and throughout the United States, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Mobile residence. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be important. But there are several other issues that you should consider in order to adequately compare programs. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacy technician colleges and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to offer a comprehensive superior education. Online schools may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online learning. Don't forget to confirm that the certificate or degree program together with the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Along with helping make sure that you get a superior education, it can assist in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Mobile AL employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the Program Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but numerous employers prefer that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist technician school should prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of work experience. This condition may be met by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates a year of experience for certification, which may be met by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Find out if the colleges have associations with Mobile AL area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first position in Mobile AL after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a difficult task without any support. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing 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 school has an excellent reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of employer relationships where it can place graduates.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they select will need to be within travelling distance of their Mobile AL home. Students who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required 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 are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacist technician school you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Mobile AL area, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Find Out More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Mobile

Enroll in the Best Mobile Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the best pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to launching your career in a rewarding profession where assisting people with their health is your mission. In the past, many pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most employers can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated technicians. Training is furnished by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy tech schools include both classroom and clinical work. As we have covered in this article, it's essential to choose a program 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 suggestions you will be able to compare colleges so that you are sure to make the right selection. With the proper education and commitment you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Mobile Alabama.

 

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