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Pharmacy Technician Courses
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Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Find the Best One Near Opelika Alabama

Opelika Alabama female pharmacy tech assisting senior womanNow that you have decided to earn your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near Opelika AL, you might be thinking about how to pick the best school to receive your education and training. Of course the first step is to find schools that offer the diploma or degree that you would like to earn. A number of potential students start by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are significant factors when choosing a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation must be considered also. You might also want to take a look at some accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will go over these qualifications and some others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Duties

Opelika Alabama female pharmacy technician stocking shelves

Pharmacy technicians have multiple job duties, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Opelika AL pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription medications per the pharmacist's directions. And they need to have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they may assist customers with understanding instructions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no situation should they ever provide medical advice relating to prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions should be handled by the pharmacist. Some of the common daily tasks a pharmacy technician may carry out are:

  • Receive and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
  • Prepare prescription drugs under pharmacist guidance
  • Enter prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
  • Phone customers when their medications are prepared 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 techs will spend most of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, particularly for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work after hours is a very rewarding career helping customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees

Opelika Alabama pharmacy tech in white lab coatIndividuals 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 becoming a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted Opelika AL pharmacy or similar 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 furnish a more comprehensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech colleges opt to become certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, a number of Opelika AL pharmacies will only hire a technician that is certified. There are two organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the candidate be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every 2 years by each program, which may be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Programs

Opelika Alabama female student attending pharmacy technician courses onlinePrior to selecting a pharmacist tech online training program, it's important to realize that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is typically satisfied in an area Opelika pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to get some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed online in your Opelika AL home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for most students, notably for those who keep working while earning their certificate or degree. And online schools are often less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and study materials can be reduced significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is essential for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online school you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less structured 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 wish to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacist technician programs to select from in the Opelika 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 most likely initially look for programs that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Opelika home. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be critical. But there are many other issues that you should take into consideration in order to effectively compare programs. The questions below will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Most pharmacist tech colleges and vocational schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to furnish a complete superior education. Online colleges may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Be sure to verify that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Besides helping make sure that you receive a superior education, it may help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Opelika AL employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but many employers prefer that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacist tech college should prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of work experience. This condition can be satisfied by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of professional experience for certification, which may be satisfied through an internship program. One of the best ways to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the schools have a working relationship with Opelika AL area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Assistance? Getting that initial position in Opelika AL after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a difficult endeavor without any assistance. 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 a good reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduates.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they select will need to be within commuting distance of their Opelika AL home. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually 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 likes to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering 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 ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacist technician program you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Opelika AL area, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Opelika

Enroll in the Right Opelika Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the right pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to launching your career in a rewarding occupation where assisting people with their wellness is your objective. Traditionally, many pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". These days, the majority of employers can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is offered by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacy technician programs incorporate both classroom and laboratory work. As we have discussed in this article, it's necessary to select a school that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you follow our other suggestions you will be able to compare colleges so that you are sure to make the right selection. With the proper training and determination you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Opelika Alabama.




 

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