Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Little Rock Arkansas

Having decided to attain your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near Little Rock AR, you might be thinking about just how to choose the best college to get your education and training. Usually the initial step is to find colleges that offer the certificate or degree that you are interested in. A number of future students start by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are critical factors when choosing a college, they are not the sole ones. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. And if you prefer studying at home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then finding an accredited online program will also be part of your vetting process. We will go over these qualifiers and 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 benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy techs have many job responsibilities, but their principal responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Little Rock AR pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription medications per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may help customers with understanding instructions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice concerning medications or anything else. Any such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the common daily functions a pharmacy technician might perform are:

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

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, particularly for newer technicians with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work off-hours is a very fulfilling career assisting people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Certificates and Degrees

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially two options 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 accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also require an internship at an approved Little Rock AR pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which generally takes about two 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 can provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech schools elect to get certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Also, a number of Little Rock AR pharmacies will only employ a technician that is certified. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are 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 professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by both programs, which may be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Classes

Prior to choosing a pharmacy tech online training program, it's important to understand that most schools do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is commonly satisfied in a local Little Rock pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy tech in order to obtain some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be taken over the internet in your Little Rock AR home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for many students, notably for those who continue to work while earning their degree or certificate. And online programs are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and study materials may be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is important for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online program you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online training might be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

Once you have determined whether you wish to earn a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist tech schools to pick from in the Little Rock AR area and throughout the United States, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for programs that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Little Rock residence. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are several other factors that you must consider in order to adequately 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 pharmacist technician colleges and trade schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to offer a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online learning. Make sure to confirm that the degree or certificate program in addition to the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. Along with helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it can help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And many Little Rock 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 required in all states, but numerous employers prefer that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech school should ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of work experience. This condition can be satisfied by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires 1 year of professional experience for certification, which can be met with an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the programs have associations with Little Rock AR area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Getting that initial position in Little Rock AR after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some assistance. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can refer graduates.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they pick will have to be within driving distance of their Little Rock AR residence. Those who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently 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 likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacy technician college you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Little Rock AR area, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More about How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Little Rock

Choose the Best Little Rock Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the ideal pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a fulfilling occupation where assisting customers with their wellness is your purpose. In the past, most pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". These days, the majority of employers can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is offered by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist tech colleges include both classroom and clinical training. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to enroll in a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This is true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are certain to make the best choice. With the proper education and determination you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Little Rock Arkansas.

 

Little Rock Pharmacy Technician Classes | Little Rock Pharmacy Tech Schools