Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Pick the Best One Near Anchorage Alaska

It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near Anchorage AK so you can get the proper training to build a career in the rewarding field of medicine. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating schools so that you subsequently pick the best one? Many potential students begin by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are significant concerns when selecting a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers including accreditation and reputation need to be taken into account also. You may also choose to take a look at a few accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifiers and some others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Tech Diplomas and Degrees

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically two alternatives to training to be a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which usually can be finished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Anchorage AK pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually involves about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more in depth 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 choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Options

Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician programs elect to get certified so as to be more qualified in the job market. Also, a number of Anchorage AK pharmacies 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 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has finished a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every two years by both programs, which may be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Programs Online

Before deciding on a pharmacist tech online school, it's important to realize that most programs do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is typically satisfied in an area Anchorage pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to receive some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed online in your Anchorage AK home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for most students, especially for those who continue to work while earning their certificate or degree. And online schools are often more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and costs for commuting and study materials can be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online program you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online instruction might be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges

Once you have determined whether you want to attain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist technician programs to pick from in the Anchorage AK area and throughout the USA, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Anchorage residence. If you are willing to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are several other issues that you must consider so that you may properly compare programs. The questions below will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacy technician programs and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a comprehensive quality education. Online programs may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online education. Be sure to verify that the certificate or degree program together with the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Along with helping guarantee that you obtain a superior education, it may assist in getting financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Anchorage AK pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the Program Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but a number of pharmacies prefer that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacist technician school needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of work experience. This qualification may be satisfied by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires 1 year of job experience for certification, which may be met by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way 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 prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the schools have associations with Anchorage AK area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Help? Getting that initial job in Anchorage AK after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a daunting task without some assistance. Find out if the colleges you are considering have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of employer relationships where it can place graduating students.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Anchorage AK residence. Students who have decided to attend classes online 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 consider is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally 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 student that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the average student to teacher 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 an opportunity to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacy technician program you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Anchorage AK area, make sure that they are available. 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 enroll in. Also, learn 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 Tech in Anchorage

Enroll in the Right Anchorage Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the ideal pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a rewarding occupation where assisting people with their wellness is your purpose. In the past, many pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". These days, most pharmacies can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated technicians. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist technician colleges include both classroom and clinical training. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to enroll in a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This applies both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the best selection. With the right training and determination you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Anchorage Alaska.

 

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