Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Select the Best One Near Benton Arkansas

Having decided to earn your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near Benton AR, you may be pondering how to pick the best program to receive your education and training. But just how do you approach comparing and evaluating schools so that you ultimately enroll in the ideal one? When checking out pharmacy technician programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are important factors when selecting a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications including accreditation and reputation must be considered as well. And if you prefer attending classes in your home in front of your computer rather than in a classroom, then finding an accredited online college will also be part of your vetting process. We will address these qualifications and others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online programs.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below

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 essentially two options to becoming 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 accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an approved Benton AR pharmacy or other 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 furnish a more expansive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician programs choose to become certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, a number of Benton AR 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 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 exam. Recertification is called for every 2 years by both programs, which can be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Programs Online

Prior to choosing a pharmacist technician online program, it's necessary to understand that most programs do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is commonly satisfied in a local Benton pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy tech in order to get some work place experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online in your Benton AR home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for most students, particularly for those who keep working while attaining their degree or certificate. And online schools are sometimes more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and course materials may be decreased substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is important for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online program you are considering is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online training may be the right solution for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

After you have determined whether you would like to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are a large number of pharmacy tech colleges to pick from in the Benton AR area and throughout the Country, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Benton home. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are many other issues that you must take into consideration so that you may adequately compare colleges. The questions below will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Most pharmacy technician programs and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to offer a complete quality education. Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Make sure to verify that the certificate or degree program together with the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Along with helping make sure that you receive a quality education, it may help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And many Benton AR pharmacies 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 every state, but many pharmacies desire that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacist tech school needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This qualification can be fulfilled by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates one year of experience for certification, which can be fulfilled with an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to fulfill 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 Help? Securing that first job in Benton AR after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a difficult task without some assistance. Ask if the schools you are considering have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also means 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 school they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Benton AR residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician college you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending classes. 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 need to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Benton

Enroll in the Right Benton Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the ideal pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a rewarding profession where assisting customers with their wellness is your objective. In the past, most pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". These days, most pharmacies can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy technician schools include both classroom and laboratory work. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to choose a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This holds true both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional tips you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are sure to make the best choice. With the proper education and determination you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Benton Arkansas.

 

Benton How To Become A Pharmacy Tech | Benton Pharmacy Tech Certificate