Pharmacy Tech College
How to Select the Right One Near Harrison Arkansas
It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Harrison AR in order to receive the right training to begin a career in the rewarding profession of medicine. Usually the first step is to find colleges that offer the degree or certificate that you would like to earn. When checking out pharmacy technician programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are critical factors when selecting a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifications including reputation and accreditation need to be taken into account as well. You might also choose to take a look at a few accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will go over these qualifications and some others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online programs.
It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below
Pharmacy Technician Job Duties
Pharmacy techs have many job responsibilities, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Harrison AR pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills because they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they may assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice relating to medications or anything else. Any such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the regular daily duties a pharmacy tech may carry out are:
- Greet and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
- Fill prescription drugs under pharmacist direction
- Add customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
- Phone customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
- Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
- Stock shelves and audit and manage inventory
Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also very common, particularly for newer techs with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work after hours is a very gratifying career assisting customers with their health and wellness.
Pharmacy Technician Certificates and Degrees
Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program 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 certificate or a diploma, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an accepted Harrison AR pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically requires about two 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. Each program can furnish the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.
Pharmacy Tech Certification Options
Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech schools opt to become certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, many Harrison AR employers will only hire 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 candidate be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every two years by both programs, which may be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Technician Online Colleges
Before choosing a pharmacy tech online program, it's important to realize that the majority of schools do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is commonly fulfilled in a local Harrison pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with an experienced 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 Harrison AR home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for many students, especially for those who continue to work while attaining their certificate or degree. And online programs are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and course materials may be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online school you are looking at 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 training might be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs
After you have determined whether you would like to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy tech programs to select from in the Harrison AR area and throughout the USA, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for programs that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Harrison residence. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are several other issues that you need to consider so that you may adequately compare programs. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final selection.
Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? The majority of pharmacist technician colleges and vocational schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to offer a complete quality education. Online colleges may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Be sure to check that the degree or certificate program as well as the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Besides helping make sure that you obtain a quality education, it might help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Harrison AR pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the Program Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but a number of employers desire that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacist technician college should ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of job experience. This qualification can be fulfilled by entering a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates one year of job experience for certification, which can be fulfilled through an internship program. One of the best ways to get 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 prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with Harrison AR area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Offer Job Placement Help? Securing that first job in Harrison AR after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some help. Find out if the schools you are considering have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can refer graduates.
Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Harrison AR home. Students who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide 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 often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? 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 probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program also.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacy technician school you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Harrison AR area, make certain that they are offered. 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, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.
Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Harrison
Enroll in the Best Harrison Pharmacy Tech Program
Receiving the best pharmacy tech training is an important first step to launching your career in a fulfilling occupation where assisting people with their health is your purpose. In the past, most pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is furnished by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist tech programs incorporate both classroom and laboratory work. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to select a school 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 follow our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are certain to make the best selection. With the proper education and determination you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Harrison Arkansas.
Harrison Pharmacy Tech Schools | Harrison How To Become A Pharmacy Tech