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

Now that you have made the decision to attain your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near Benton AR, you might be wondering just how to pick the right college to get your education and training. But just how do you approach comparing and evaluating schools so that you subsequently enroll in the right one? When checking out pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are critical factors when picking 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 cost and location. You might also decide to look into some accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifiers and some others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Duties

Pharmacy techs have multiple job functions, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Benton AR pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service abilities because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may help customers with understanding instructions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no situation should they ever give medical advice pertaining to medications or anything else. All such questions would be handled by the pharmacist. Some of the regular daily functions a pharmacy technician might carry out are:

• Receive and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription drugs under pharmacist supervision
• Enter customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and monitor and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, particularly for newer technicians with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally having to work off-hours is a very rewarding career helping people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees and Certificates

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically two options to becoming a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be completed in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also require an internship at an approved Benton AR pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically involves about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program can furnish the proper 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 numerous graduates of pharmacy tech colleges opt to become certified so as to be more qualified in the job market. Also, a number of Benton AR 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 at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which can be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Colleges

Prior to choosing a pharmacy technician online college, it's necessary to understand that most schools do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is typically satisfied in an area Benton pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under an experienced pharmacy technician so as to get some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be taken online in your Benton AR home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for most students, notably for those who continue to work while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online schools are often more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for driving and course materials may be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is critical for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online college you are considering is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, 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 training may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges

After you have determined whether you want to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist tech programs to choose from in the Benton AR area and throughout the USA, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for schools that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Benton home. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are many other variables that you must consider so that you may properly compare programs. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Most pharmacist tech colleges and trade schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Make sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program together with the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping make sure that you obtain a quality education, it might assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Benton AR pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but a number of employers desire that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacist technician program should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of professional experience. This condition may be satisfied by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates a year of job experience for certification, which may be fulfilled by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the schools have a working relationship with Benton AR area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Securing that first job in Benton AR after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a difficult endeavor without some help. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job placement programs. If they do, 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 generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can place graduates.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they select will need to be within commuting distance of their Benton AR residence. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes obviously 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 college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required 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.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacist technician college you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Benton AR area, check that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Benton

Enroll in the Best Benton Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the ideal pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to launching your career in a rewarding occupation where assisting people with their health is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". These days, most pharmacists can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is offered by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacy technician schools include both clinical and classroom work. As we have covered in this article, it's essential to select a college that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This holds true both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other tips you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are sure to make the right selection. With the right training and determination you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Benton Arkansas.

 

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