Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Select the Best One Near Centerton Arkansas

Now that you have made the decision to attain your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near Centerton AR, you might be wondering how to select the ideal school to receive your education and training. Naturally the first step is to locate schools that offer the diploma or degree that you would like to earn. When checking out pharmacy technician schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are significant factors when choosing a college, they are not the sole ones. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. You may also decide to look into several accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifiers and some others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy techs have various job functions, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Centerton AR pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service abilities because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they can help customers with understanding directions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no situation should they ever give medical advice regarding prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the common daily tasks a pharmacy technician may carry out are:

• Greet and help customers with medications and other questions
• Dispense prescription medicines under pharmacist supervision
• Add prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and monitor and control inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, especially for newer techs with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or at times being required to work off-hours is an extremely gratifying career helping people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Training Programs

Students wishing 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 alternatives to training to be a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which normally 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. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Centerton 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 furnish a more in depth education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

Certification is not required in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech schools choose to get certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Centerton AR employers will only employ a technician that is certified. There are two organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every 2 years by both programs, which may be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Schools

Prior to deciding on a pharmacy tech online school, it's necessary to understand that most schools do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is typically fulfilled in a local Centerton pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to obtain some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed over the internet in your Centerton AR home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for most students, especially for those who keep working while earning their certificate or degree. And online programs are often more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and costs for driving and study materials may be reduced significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that any online program you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized 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 instruction might be the right solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

Once you have decided whether you would like 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 numerous pharmacy tech schools to pick from in the Centerton AR area and throughout the Country, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Centerton home. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other variables that you must consider in order to effectively compare colleges. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacy tech colleges and trade schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to offer a complete quality education. Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Don't forget to verify that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Besides helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it may help in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Centerton AR employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the College Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but many pharmacies desire that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacy technician school needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This qualification can be satisfied by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates one year of experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the colleges have associations with Centerton AR area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first position in Centerton AR upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some assistance. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will need to be within driving distance of their Centerton AR residence. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you choose 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 often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering 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 decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacy technician school you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Centerton AR area, check that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Centerton

Choose the Right Centerton Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the ideal pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a gratifying profession where assisting customers with their wellness is your purpose. In the past, many pharmacy techs were trained "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacists can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy technician schools include both clinical and classroom work. As we have discussed in this article, it's necessary to choose a school that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This applies both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other suggestions you will be able to compare schools so that you are sure to make the best selection. With the right education and determination you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Centerton Arkansas.

 

Centerton Pharmacy Technician Classes | Centerton Pharmacy Tech Schools