Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Select the Right One Near Prattville Alabama

Now that you have made the decision to earn your pharmacy technician degree or certificate near Prattville AL, you may be wondering just how to pick the best program to get your education and training. But just how do you undertake comparing and evaluating colleges so that you ultimately enroll in the right one? When checking out pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are critical concerns when choosing a college, they are not the only ones. Qualifications including reputation and accreditation need to be evaluated also. And if you are interested in attending classes at home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online school will also be included in your vetting process. We will address these qualifiers and others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Diplomas and Degrees

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally 2 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 typically can be completed in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an accepted Prattville AL pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which normally involves about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program can provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy technician programs choose to get certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Also, a number of Prattville 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 requires that the applicant be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is required every two years by each program, which can be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Schools Online

Prior to choosing a pharmacist tech online program, it's important to understand that the majority of schools do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is commonly fulfilled in an area Prattville pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy tech so as to obtain some work place experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed over the internet in your Prattville AL home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for many students, notably for those who continue to work while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online schools are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and course materials may be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is critical for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online program you are reviewing is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online training might be the ideal solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

Once you have decided whether you would like to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist technician colleges to pick from in the Prattville AL area and throughout the USA, so you should create 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 schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Prattville residence. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are several other variables that you need to take into consideration so that you may adequately compare colleges. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Many pharmacy technician colleges and trade schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to provide a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online education. Make sure to check that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. Besides helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it can assist in getting 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 Prattville 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 required in every state, but many pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacy technician school needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of work experience. This condition can be met by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires one year of job 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 work 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 meet the requirement. Find out if the colleges have a working relationship with Prattville AL area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Getting that initial job in Prattville AL after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a challenging undertaking without any assistance. Ask if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Prattville AL residence. Students who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to keep 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 be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the students and instructors 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 pharmacy tech school you finally pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Prattville AL area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Prattville

Enroll in the Right Prattville Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the right pharmacy tech training is an important first step to launching your career in a rewarding profession where assisting people with their wellness is your purpose. In the past, many pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacists 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. Many pharmacy tech schools incorporate both classroom and clinical work. 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 applies both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional tips you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are sure to make the right selection. With the right training and dedication you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Prattville Alabama.

 

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