Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Fayetteville Arkansas

Now that you have made the decision to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Fayetteville AR, you may be thinking about just how to pick the right program to get your education and training. Of course the initial step is to find schools that offer the degree or certificate that you would like to earn. When looking for pharmacy technician schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are critical concerns when picking a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers including reputation and accreditation must be considered also. And if you prefer studying in your home by means of your computer instead of in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online program will also be included in your vetting process. We will go over these qualifiers and others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online courses.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

Pharmacy technicians have multiple job functions, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Fayetteville AR pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills because they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when preparing prescription medications per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they can help customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice regarding medications or anything else. All such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. Several of the common daily functions a pharmacy tech might perform are:

• Greet and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription medicines under pharmacist direction
• Input prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Complete 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, particularly for newer techs with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes being required to work off-hours is a very rewarding career helping customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Diplomas and Degrees

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally two alternatives to becoming a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include classroom and lab training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Fayetteville AR pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which normally takes about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more comprehensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program should provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician schools choose to become certified in order to be more qualified in the job market. Also, a number of Fayetteville AR employers will only employ a tech 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 candidate be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by each program, which may be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Colleges

Before selecting a pharmacy tech online school, it's important to realize that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is usually fulfilled in a local Fayetteville pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working with an experienced pharmacy tech so as to receive some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed online in your Fayetteville AR home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for many students, especially for those who keep working while attaining their certificate or degree. And online programs are frequently more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and study materials can be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is critical for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that any online school you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online classes may be the best solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

Once you have determined whether you would like to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist technician programs to select from in the Fayetteville AR area and throughout the United States, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Fayetteville home. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other variables that you need to take into consideration so that you may adequately compare programs. The following questions will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? The majority of pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. Among 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 furnish a complete superior education. Online colleges may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Be sure to check that the degree or certificate program together with the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you obtain a quality education, it may help in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Fayetteville AR pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but a number of employers desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacy technician school needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This condition may be met by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires one year of experience for certification, which can be fulfilled by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Ask if the colleges have associations with Fayetteville AR area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Help? Securing that first job in Fayetteville AR upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a challenging endeavor without some support. Find out if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Fayetteville AR residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing 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 have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually 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.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacist tech school you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Fayetteville AR area, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

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

Choose the Best Fayetteville Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the best pharmacy tech training is an important first step to starting your career in a rewarding occupation where helping customers with their health is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacies can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally trained techs. Training is offered by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist technician colleges incorporate both classroom and clinical work. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to choose a college that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This applies both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the right education and determination you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Fayetteville Arkansas.

 

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