Pharmacy Tech College
How to Pick the Right One Near Benton Arkansas

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Benton AR so you can get the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding field of medicine. But just how do you undertake comparing and evaluating colleges so that you ultimately enroll in the best one? When looking for pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are important concerns when choosing a school, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications including accreditation and reputation must be considered also. And if you are interested in attending classes at home by means of your computer instead of in a classroom, then finding an accredited online college will also be part of your vetting process. We will cover these qualifiers and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy technicians have numerous job functions, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Benton AR pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they may help customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice concerning medications or anything else. All such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. A few of the common daily tasks a pharmacy tech might perform are:

• Welcome and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Prepare prescription medications under pharmacist supervision
• Add customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and manage inventory

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, especially 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 a very fulfilling career assisting customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally 2 options to training to be a tech 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 completed in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also require an internship at an accepted Benton AR pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically involves about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should furnish the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy tech colleges opt to become certified so as to be more qualified in the job market. Additionally, a number of Benton AR pharmacies will only employ a tech 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 just requires that the candidate has graduated high school 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 Classes Online

Before deciding on a pharmacy tech online college, it's important to realize that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is usually fulfilled in a local Benton pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to acquire some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed online in your Benton AR home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for many students, especially for those who continue to work while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online programs are frequently more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and study materials can be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical 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 verify that each online program you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less supervised form of education, then online classes may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

After you have decided whether you would like to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist tech schools to pick from in the Benton AR area and throughout the United States, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Benton home. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are many other variables that you should take into consideration in order to adequately compare programs. The questions below will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Most pharmacy tech programs and vocational schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to furnish a complete quality education. Online schools may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online learning. Make sure to check that the degree or certificate program in addition to the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. In addition to helping make sure that you receive a superior education, it can help in acquiring 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 a number of Benton AR employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but many employers desire that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacist technician college needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of professional experience. This condition can be fulfilled by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of job experience for certification, which may be satisfied through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Ask if the colleges have associations with Benton AR area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial job in Benton AR after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a difficult undertaking without some support. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of employer contacts where it can refer graduates.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the college they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Benton AR residence. Students who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble 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 decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician school you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Benton AR area, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Benton

Enroll in the Right Benton Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the ideal pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a gratifying occupation where assisting customers with their health is your purpose. In the past, most pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacists can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy tech programs include both classroom and clinical work. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to select a school that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This holds true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you follow our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are sure to make the right choice. With the appropriate training and commitment you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Benton Arkansas.

 

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