Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Find the Best One Near Jonesboro Arkansas

Now that you have decided to attain your pharmacy technician degree or certificate near Jonesboro AR, you may be pondering how to pick the right college to receive your education and training. Usually the initial step is to locate schools that offer the degree or certificate that you are interested in. A number of potential students begin by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the tuitions. 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 just as important if not more so as cost and location. You may also decide to research several accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifiers and 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 technician does, the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy techs have multiple job responsibilities, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Jonesboro AR pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's directions. And they need to have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they can help customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no situation should they ever give medical advice pertaining to medications or anything else. Any such questions should be addressed by the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily tasks a pharmacy technician may perform are:

• Welcome and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription medications under pharmacist direction
• Add customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and control inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, especially for newer technicians with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work off-hours is a very satisfying career helping people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally 2 options to training to be a technician whether 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 introduction to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Jonesboro AR pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually requires 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 should provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices

Certification is not required in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy technician colleges elect to get certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, many Jonesboro AR employers will only hire a tech that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the candidate 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 candidate has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by both programs, which may be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Schools Online

Prior to choosing a pharmacist tech 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 setting. This is usually satisfied in an area Jonesboro pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy technician so as to acquire some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed over the internet in your Jonesboro AR home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for many students, especially for those who continue to work while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online colleges are frequently more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for driving and course materials can be decreased substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online school you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online instruction may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

After you have determined whether you would like to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy tech programs to choose from in the Jonesboro AR area and throughout the Country, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Jonesboro home. If you are able to relocate 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 in order to properly compare schools. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have earned 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 certified to provide a complete superior education. Online programs may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance education. Don't forget to verify that the certificate or degree program in addition to the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Besides helping make sure that you obtain a quality education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Jonesboro AR employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but numerous employers desire that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacist tech college needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This condition may be fulfilled by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates one year of job experience for certification, which can be fulfilled with an internship program. One of the best ways to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the programs have a working relationship with Jonesboro AR area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Assistance? Finding that first position in Jonesboro AR upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a difficult task without any assistance. Ask if the schools you are researching have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they choose will need to be within commuting distance of their Jonesboro AR residence. Individuals who have chosen 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 importance. Something to consider is that if you decide 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 typically charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. 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 talk 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 need to confirm that the pharmacy tech school you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Jonesboro AR area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Jonesboro

Enroll in the Right Jonesboro Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the best pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a rewarding occupation where helping customers with their health is your purpose. In the past, many pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". These days, most pharmacists can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is offered by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist technician schools incorporate both classroom and laboratory work. As we have covered in this article, it's necessary to enroll in a program that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This holds true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are sure to make the ideal choice. With the proper training and dedication you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Jonesboro Arkansas.

 

Jonesboro Pharmacy Tech Schools Online | Jonesboro Pharmacy Technician Certificate