Pharmacy Tech College
How to Find the Right One Near Juneau Alaska

Having decided to earn your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Juneau AK, you might be wondering just how to choose the ideal program to receive your education and training. Of course the first step is to locate colleges that offer the degree or diploma that you are interested in. When checking out pharmacy technician programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While tuition and location are significant concerns when selecting a college, they are not the sole ones. Job placement and intership 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 by means of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online school will also be part of your vetting process. We will go over these qualifications and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online programs.

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Pharmacy Tech Degrees and Diplomas

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are essentially 2 options to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be completed in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Juneau AK pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally involves about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more comprehensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program should furnish the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available

Certification is not required in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician colleges elect to become certified so as to be more qualified in the job market. Additionally, a number of Juneau AK employers will only employ a technician that is certified. There are 2 organizations that provide 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 one or more years of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by each program, which can be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Colleges

Prior to deciding on a pharmacist technician online school, it's necessary to understand that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is typically fulfilled in an area Juneau pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to receive some work place experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online in your Juneau AK home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for many students, notably for those who continue to work while attaining their certificate or degree. And online colleges are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study 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 essential for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online college 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 structured form of education, then online classes may be the best solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

After you have decided whether you wish to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school options. There are many pharmacist technician programs to pick from in the Juneau AK area and throughout the USA, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for schools that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Juneau home. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other issues that you should consider so that you may effectively compare colleges. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Many pharmacist technician programs and trade schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Make sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Along with helping make sure that you obtain a superior education, it may help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Juneau AK employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but numerous pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacy tech program needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This condition can be met by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates one year of experience for certification, which may be fulfilled through an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Ask if the programs have associations with Juneau AK area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Finding that first job in Juneau AK upon graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a challenging endeavor without some assistance. Ask if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the college they pick will have to be within travelling distance of their Juneau AK residence. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the pharmacist tech school you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Juneau AK 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 carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Juneau

Choose the Right Juneau Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the best pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a rewarding profession where assisting customers with their health is your objective. Traditionally, many pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacists can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated technicians. Training is offered by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist technician programs incorporate both laboratory and classroom training. As we have covered in this article, it's important to select a school that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This holds true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to compare schools so that you are sure to make the best choice. With the appropriate education and dedication you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Juneau Alaska.

 

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