Pharmacy Tech College
How to Select the Best One Near El Dorado Arkansas

Now that you have decided to earn your pharmacy technician degree or certificate near El Dorado AR, you might be wondering just how to select the right program to receive your education and training. Of course the initial step is to find schools that offer the certificate or degree that you are interested in. When checking out pharmacy technician schools, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While tuition and location are important factors when deciding on a college, they are not the only ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation need to be evaluated as well. You may also want to research a few accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifications and some others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy techs have multiple job functions, but their principal responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed El Dorado AR pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they can assist customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice regarding prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions would be handled by the pharmacist. Several of the regular daily duties a pharmacy tech might perform are:

• Receive and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Prepare prescription drugs under pharmacist direction
• Enter customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, especially for newer techs with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work after hours is a very fulfilling 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 equivalent. There are basically two alternatives to training to be a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be finished in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted El Dorado AR pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which generally involves about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program can provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

Certification is not required in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech colleges opt to become certified so as to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, many El Dorado AR employers 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 requires that the applicant be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has completed 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 examination. Recertification is called for every two years by each program, which can be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Colleges Online

Prior to choosing a pharmacist technician online college, it's important to realize that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is commonly satisfied in an area El Dorado pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to acquire some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed over the internet in your El Dorado AR home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for most students, especially for those who keep working while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online schools are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and course materials may be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that each online college you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online training might be the best solution for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges

After you have determined whether you wish to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacist tech programs to choose from in the El Dorado AR area and throughout the Country, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your El Dorado home. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are several other issues that you must take into consideration so that you may properly compare programs. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacist technician colleges and trade schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Be sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it might assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of El Dorado 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 mandated in all states, but many employers desire that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacy tech program should prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of professional experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates 1 year of professional experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the schools have associations with El Dorado AR area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Getting that initial job in El Dorado AR upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a challenging task without some support. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of employer contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they pick will need to be within driving distance of their El Dorado AR residence. Students who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble 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 program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often 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 likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician college you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the El Dorado AR area, make sure that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option 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 because of work, illness or family obligations.

Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in El Dorado

Choose the Best El Dorado Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the ideal pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to beginning your career in a fulfilling occupation where assisting customers with their wellness is your mission. In the past, most pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". These days, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is offered by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist technician colleges include both classroom and laboratory work. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to choose a school that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This is 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 compare colleges so that you are certain to make the best selection. With the proper education and determination you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in El Dorado Arkansas.

 

El Dorado Pharmacy Tech Schools | El Dorado How To Become A Pharmacy Tech