Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Benton Arkansas

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near Benton AR in order to get the proper training to build a career in the rewarding profession of healthcare. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing colleges so that you subsequently pick the ideal one? When looking for pharmacy technician programs, many potential students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While tuition and location are significant factors when picking a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers including reputation and accreditation should be considered as well. And if you are interested in attending classes at home in front of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online school will also be included in your vetting process. We will address these qualifiers and some others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Degrees

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally 2 alternatives to training to be a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which usually can be completed in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Benton AR pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually takes about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more in depth education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program can provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech schools opt to get certified in order to be more qualified in the job market. Additionally, many Benton AR pharmacies 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 requirements are that the applicant be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which may be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Colleges

Before choosing a pharmacy technician online program, it's important to understand that most schools do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is commonly fulfilled in an area Benton pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy tech in order to acquire some work place experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be taken over the internet in your Benton AR home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for most students, especially for those who keep working while earning their degree or certificate. And online programs are often less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials may be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online program you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online instruction might be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

After you have decided whether you would like to earn a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacist technician colleges to choose from in the Benton AR area and throughout the Country, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Benton home. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are a number of other factors that you must consider so that you may adequately compare colleges. The questions below will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Most pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of 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 furnish a complete quality education. Online schools may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance education. Don't forget to verify that the certificate or degree program together with the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Besides helping make sure that you obtain a superior education, it might help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And many Benton AR employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but many employers desire that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacy tech program should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This condition may be met by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates one year of job experience for certification, which may be met by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain 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 prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the programs have a working relationship with Benton AR area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Give Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial job in Benton AR upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a difficult undertaking without any assistance. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will need to be within commuting distance of their Benton AR home. Those who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacy tech college you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Benton AR area, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Benton

Choose the Best Benton Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the best pharmacy tech training is an important first step to launching your career in a gratifying profession where assisting people with their health is your purpose. In the past, many pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is provided by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist technician schools incorporate both classroom and laboratory training. As we have covered in this article, it's necessary to select a program that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This is true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional suggestions you will be able to compare programs so that you are certain to make the best selection. With the proper training and dedication you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Benton Arkansas.

 

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