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

It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Troy AL in order to receive the right training to build a career in the rewarding profession of medicine. Of course the first step is to locate schools that offer the diploma or degree that you would like to earn. A number of potential students begin by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are critical factors when selecting a college, 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 want to look into some accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifications and some others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Duties

Pharmacy techs have various job duties, but their primary responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must work under the supervision of a licensed Troy AL pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills since they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. Several of the regular daily duties a pharmacy tech may carry out are:

• Greet and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Prepare prescription medicines under pharmacist guidance
• Add customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and control inventory

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, especially for newer technicians with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work off-hours is an extremely rewarding career helping customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees and Certificates

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 alternatives to training to be a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an approved Troy AL pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which typically involves about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program can provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Options

Certification is not required in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy technician colleges opt to get certified so as to be more qualified in the job market. Additionally, many Troy AL employers will only hire a technician that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the candidate be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by each program, which can be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Programs Online

Before selecting a pharmacist tech online school, it's important to realize that most schools do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is commonly satisfied in an area Troy pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to get some work place experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online in your Troy AL home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for many students, particularly for those who keep working while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online colleges are frequently more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and course materials can be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is critical for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online college you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less supervised form of education, then online classes may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

Once you have determined whether you wish to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school options. There are many pharmacist technician schools to choose from in the Troy AL area and throughout the Country, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Troy home. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are several other issues that you need to take into consideration so that you may effectively compare colleges. The following questions will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Many pharmacist tech programs and trade schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to offer a comprehensive quality education. Online programs may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Don't forget to confirm that the certificate or degree program in addition to the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping ensure that you obtain a superior education, it might assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And many Troy 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 pharmacies prefer that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacy tech school needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of job experience. This requirement can be met by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires a year of job experience for certification, which can be satisfied with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Ask if the schools have a working relationship with Troy AL area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Getting that initial job in Troy AL after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a difficult task without any assistance. Find out if the schools you are researching have job assistance programs. If so, 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 appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they select will need to be within commuting distance of their Troy AL home. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to keep 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 might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the typical 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 decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacist tech school you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Troy AL area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option 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 might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Troy

Choose the Right Troy Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the right pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to launching your career in a gratifying profession where assisting people with their health is your purpose. Traditionally, many pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". These days, most employers can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is provided by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy tech schools include both classroom and clinical training. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to choose a school that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This is true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are certain to make the best choice. With the right training and determination you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Troy Alabama.

 

Troy Pharmacy Tech Schools | Troy How To Become A Pharmacy Tech