Pharmacy Technician Programs in Hoover, AL

In addition to assisting with the filling of prescriptions and the dispensing of medications, the role of the pharmacy technician in Alabama has gained importance in recent years.

This role now frequently includes participation in immunization clinics, wellness checks, more extensive insurance billing work and other activities that have made the vocation an even more challenging, but rewarding one.

While, unlike in many other states, formal pharmacy technician certification is not necessary for licensure as a pharmacy technician in Alabama, enrolling in one of the pharmacy technician programs that offer to prepare students for national certification via the PTCB or ExCPT exams will help future pharmacy techs start their new careers off on the right foot.

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What are the Requirements to be a Pharmacy Technician in Alabama?

As we already noted, Alabama does not require pharmacy technicians to obtain official certification through one of the national tests, the PTCB or the ExCPT.

This makes Alabama different from many other states. However, it is required by state law that pharmacy technicians hold a license issued by the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy.

Candidates must be US citizens, over the age of 17, and pass a government criminal background check in order to receive a license. Additionally, they must pay $104 in fees, which are non-refundable.

Once licensed, pharmacy technicians are expected to participate in six hours of continuing education every 24 months in order to keep that license and to work under the direct supervision of a qualified pharmacist at all times.

Pharmacy Technician Schools in Hoover, AL

Even though it isn't required for licensing, enrolling in an Alabama pharmacy technician school, earning certification and completing an apprenticeship, as part of a training program, will often help new pharmacy techs land better-paying jobs with more responsibility. 

Many employers, both in retail and clinical settings, also look to employ certified pharmacy technicians regardless of state regulations.

Residents of Hoover, Alabama who are thinking about enrolling in pharmacy technician school have a variety of possibilities.

Every one of them has a little something to give, and some might be more appropriate for a person's needs than others, particularly in terms of pricing, class schedules, and acceptance of financial aid, among other things.

To help you make the right choice between schools, here we are going to take a closer look at them all.

1. Jefferson State Community College

2601 Carson Road
Birmingham, Alabama 35215
(205) 853-1200
Website

Jefferson State Community College offers a comprehensive 60 class hour Pharmacy Tech Certificate program that is specifically geared towards ensuring that students are completely prepared to take, and pass, the PTCB certification exam.

Via a mix of classroom based lectures and practical work in the campus labs, along with a short externship with a local employer, students are given a good overview of the current role a pharmacy technician can play in both retail and clinical settings, including participation in wellness and vaccine clinics. To enroll, students must be over the age of 18, hold a high school diploma or GED and pass a basic math skills test prior to class commencement.

As it is a non-credit course, students cannot make use of traditional financial aid to cover the cost of participation, but payment plans are available, and some adult students may be able to receive grant help via the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) if they are considered currently under employed.

2. Samford University

Online only
Website

Samford University boasts one of the most respected pharmacy schools in the South, the McWhorter School of Pharmacy. The faculty of the school offer those who want to become pharmacy technicians in Alabama the chance to complete an eight-week online based course that offers an intensive introduction to the profession that will both prepare them for the PTCB and give them the CE credits needed to satisfy their first two years of licensing requirements.

While offered online, students have access to faculty via Zoom sessions for live lectures, and can choose to participate in short work study assignments with a local employer. To enroll they must be over 17 and hold a high school diploma or GED. They are also expected to devote at least 10 hours a week to the program, although this can be on a timeline that suits their personal schedule.

The cost of this non-credit granting program cannot be met with traditional student financial aid, but an open to all payment plan is available.

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3. Lawson State Community College

1100 9th Ave SW,
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 925-2515
Website

Via the State's Ready to Work Program, Lawson State Community College offers a ten-week pharmacy technician training course that includes all the information, knowledge and assistance that students need to take and pass the PTCB certification exam and obtain licensing as a pharmacy technician from the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy.

In addition to classroom based training in pharmacy tech, students will be expected to complete a 4-week externship with either a local CVS or Walgreens pharmacy. They will also be required to complete an additional educational module covering basic employment and interviewing skills.

To enroll, students must be high school graduates or hold a GED, agree to school administered background and drug testing and be US citizen residents of the State of Alabama.

For those receiving a referral from a DHR caseworker, this hybrid online and classroom based program - which runs for ten weeks of full time study - is offered at no charge.

Some under employed adults not in receipt of DHR benefits may be able to offset the cost of program participation via a WIOA employment grant. There is also a cash payment option for those who do not qualify for these initiatives.

4. Shelton State Community College

3401 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
205 391 2611
Website

Shelton State Community College also offers a pharmacy technician training program via Alabama's Ready to Work program. Designed to be completed in ten weeks of classroom study, the program differs from many others in that it offers work experience for students in a clinical setting, usually at a residential care center. This gives students additional insight into more complex duties, including IV medication administration.

The classroom portions of the course cover all the knowledge and information needed to pass the PTCB certification exam and become licensed as a pharmacy technician by the State Board of Pharmacy. Completion with an average of 95% or higher also awards CE credits that can be used to satisfy the continuing education requirement of the first two years of licensing.

Traditional financial aid is not available to cover the cost of the program, but most students either receive free education via their DHR edibility, or via a WIOA employment grant. There is also a payment plan available for those who do not qualify for these initiatives. To enroll, students must hold a high school diploma or GED and pass criminal background and drug tests.

How Much Can I Make as a Pharmacy Technician in Hoover, AL?

Any student who plans to enroll in a pharmacy technician program will want to know what type of salary they can expect in return for their time, effort, and financial investment.

According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacy technicians in the Hoover region make on average more money than they would in Alabama as a whole.

In Hoover, pharmacy technicians made an average of $28,090 to $43,670 per year in 2022, compared to $28,070 to $43,950 in the rest of the state. 

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