Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Select the Best One Near Blytheville Arkansas

It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Blytheville AR so you can get the right training to begin a career in the rewarding field of healthcare. But just how do you undertake comparing and evaluating schools so that you ultimately enroll in the best one? When looking for pharmacy technician programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are important concerns when selecting a college, they are not the sole ones. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. And if you prefer attending classes in your home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then finding an accredited online college will also be part of your vetting process. We will go over these qualifiers and others that you will want 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.

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

Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy technicians have numerous job functions, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed Blytheville AR pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills because they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when preparing prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they may assist customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever give medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions should be addressed by the pharmacist. A few of the typical daily tasks a pharmacy tech may carry out are:

• Receive and help customers with medications and other questions
• Dispense prescription drugs under pharmacist direction
• Add prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and monitor and manage inventory

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, particularly for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or at times being required to work after hours is an extremely rewarding career helping people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Diplomas

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially two options to training to be a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs offer an overview to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also require an internship at an accepted Blytheville AR pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally involves about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician colleges choose to become certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, a number of Blytheville AR employers will only employ a technician that has earned certification. There are two organizations that offer certification:

• National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

The NHA requires 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 professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is required every 2 years by each program, which may be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Schools

Prior to selecting a pharmacy technician online training program, it's necessary to realize that the majority of programs do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is commonly fulfilled in an area Blytheville pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to receive some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed online in your Blytheville AR home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for many students, especially for those who keep working while earning their certificate or degree. And online colleges are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and study materials may be decreased significantly. 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 check that each online program you are reviewing is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online training may be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

After you have decided whether you want to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy tech colleges to choose from in the Blytheville AR area and throughout the USA, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Blytheville residence. 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 several other variables that you need to take into consideration so that you may effectively compare programs. The questions below will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Most pharmacist tech colleges and vocational schools have earned 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 verified to offer a complete superior education. Online schools may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Be sure to verify that the degree or certificate program in addition to the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. In addition to helping make sure that you receive a superior education, it may help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Blytheville AR employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but numerous pharmacies prefer that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech program should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of job experience. This qualification can be satisfied by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of professional experience for certification, which may be satisfied through an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Ask if the colleges have a working relationship with Blytheville AR area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Help? Getting that first position in Blytheville AR upon graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a daunting endeavor without some support. Ask if the schools you are researching have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Blytheville AR residence. Those who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble 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 even 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 often charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacy tech school you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Blytheville AR area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Blytheville

Enroll in the Best Blytheville Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the right pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to starting your career in a rewarding profession where assisting people with their health is your mission. Traditionally, most pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is offered by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist technician schools include both laboratory and classroom training. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to enroll in a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This holds true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you follow 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 commitment you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Blytheville Arkansas.

 

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