Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Select the Right One Near Troy Alabama

Now that you have decided to attain your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near Troy AL, you may be wondering just how to choose the best program to get your education and training. Naturally the first step is to locate colleges that offer the degree or diploma that you would like to earn. When checking out pharmacy technician programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are critical factors when selecting a school, they are not the only ones. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. And if you prefer attending classes in your home in front of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then finding an accredited online program will also be part of your vetting process. We will cover these qualifications and some others that you will want 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 advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Description

Pharmacy technicians have many job responsibilities, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Troy AL pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service abilities because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription medications per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can help customers with understanding instructions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions should be addressed by the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily functions a pharmacy tech might carry out are:

• Welcome and help customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription drugs under pharmacist guidance
• Input prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and monitor and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also very common, particularly for newer techs with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work after hours is an extremely rewarding career assisting people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Certificates and Degrees

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially two options to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Troy AL pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically takes about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech schools choose to become certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, a number of Troy AL employers will only hire a technician that is certified. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requires that the applicant 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 only requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by both programs, which can be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Programs

Prior to deciding on 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 conducted in a clinical environment. This is typically fulfilled in an area Troy pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to receive some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed over the internet in your Troy AL home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for most students, notably for those who continue to work while attaining their certificate or degree. And online schools are frequently more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and study materials can be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that any online college you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online instruction might be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

Once you have determined whether you would like 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 narrow your school options. There are many pharmacist technician programs to select from in the Troy AL area and throughout the Country, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Troy home. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be important. But there are many other variables that you need to take into consideration so that you may properly compare schools. The following questions will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Most pharmacy tech colleges and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations 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 exclusively with online or distance learning. Make sure to verify that the certificate or degree program together with the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Besides helping ensure that you obtain a superior education, it might help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Troy AL employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but a number of pharmacies prefer that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacist tech college needs to ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of work experience. This qualification can be met by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires a year of professional experience for certification, which can be satisfied with an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire 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 in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the colleges have associations with Troy AL area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial position in Troy AL after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a challenging undertaking without some assistance. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of employer relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will have to be within driving distance of their Troy AL home. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even 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 often charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacy tech program you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Troy AL area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Troy

Enroll in the Best Troy Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the best pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to launching your career in a fulfilling profession where assisting people with their health is your objective. In the past, most pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacies can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is offered by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist technician schools include both clinical and classroom training. 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 classes online and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other suggestions you will be able to compare colleges so that you are certain to make the right choice. With the proper education and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Troy Alabama.

 

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