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Pharmacy Technician Training Programs
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Pharmacy Tech College
How to Select the Best One Near Eagle River Alaska

Eagle River Alaska female pharmacy technician helping woman customerNow it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Eagle River AK so you can receive the right training to build a career in the rewarding field of healthcare. Usually the first step is to find schools that offer the degree or diploma that you are interested in. When checking out pharmacy technician programs, many potential students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are critical factors when picking a college, they are not the sole ones. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. And if you prefer studying in your home in front of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then finding an accredited online school will also be part of your vetting process. We will address these qualifiers and some others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss 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

Eagle River Alaska female pharmacy tech stocking shelves

Pharmacy technicians have multiple job functions, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must work under the supervision of a licensed Eagle River AK pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills since they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when preparing prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they can help customers with understanding instructions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice relating to prescriptions or anything else. All such questions should be handled by the pharmacist. Some of the common daily tasks a pharmacy technician might carry out are:

  • Receive and assist customers with medications and other questions
  • Dispense prescription drugs under pharmacist direction
  • Input prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
  • Contact 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

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day on their feet. 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 being required to work off-hours is an extremely satisfying career helping people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Certificates and Degrees

Eagle River Alaska hospital pharmacy tech wearing white lab coatStudents desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are essentially 2 options to training to be a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also require an internship at an approved Eagle River AK pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually takes about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more extensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program can provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech colleges choose to get certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, many Eagle River AK pharmacies will only employ a tech that is certified. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requires that the applicant be at least 18 years old, 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 applicant has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every 2 years by each program, which may be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Programs Online

Eagle River Alaska female student enrolled in pharmacy tech classes onlinePrior to choosing a pharmacy technician online training program, it's important to understand that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is commonly satisfied in a local Eagle River pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to receive some work place experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken over the internet in your Eagle River AK home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for many students, notably for those who continue to work while earning their certificate or degree. And online schools are frequently less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and study materials may be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online program you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online training may be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

Once you have determined 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 options. There are a large number of pharmacy tech programs to select from in the Eagle River AK area and throughout the Country, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will probably initially look for programs that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Eagle River residence. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be critical. But there are a number of other factors that you need to consider in order to properly compare schools. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacist technician programs and trade schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. Among 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 verified to provide a complete quality education. Online schools may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Be sure to check that the degree or certificate program together with the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. In addition to helping make sure that you receive a quality education, it can help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And many Eagle River AK pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many pharmacies prefer that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacy tech program needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of work experience. This requirement may be fulfilled by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires a year of experience for certification, which may be fulfilled with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Find out if the colleges have a working relationship with Eagle River AK area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Securing that initial job in Eagle River AK after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a difficult task without any assistance. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have job placement programs. If so, 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 appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Eagle River AK home. Those who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something 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 be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy technician college you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Eagle River AK area, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Eagle River

Choose the Right Eagle River Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the right pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a fulfilling occupation where assisting customers with their health is your objective. Traditionally, most pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is provided by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist technician schools include both classroom and clinical training. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to choose a school 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 other tips you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the ideal selection. With the appropriate education and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Eagle River Alaska.




 

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