Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Pick the Right One Near North Little Rock Arkansas

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near North Little Rock AR so you can receive the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding field of medicine. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating schools so that you ultimately pick the best one? Many future students begin by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While cost and location are significant factors when selecting a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation must be evaluated also. You might also choose to look into a few accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifiers and others that you will want 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 Technician Job Duties

Pharmacy techs have many job duties, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed North Little Rock AR pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when preparing prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may assist customers with understanding directions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice concerning medications or anything else. All such questions should be handled by the pharmacist. Some of the common daily services a pharmacy tech may perform are:

• Greet and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Dispense prescription medicines under pharmacist supervision
• Add prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and control inventory

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, particularly for newer techs with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or at times being required to work off-hours is an extremely gratifying career assisting people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Diplomas and Degrees

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially two alternatives to becoming a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also include an internship at an approved North Little Rock AR pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which normally requires about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more extensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program can furnish the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

Certification is not required in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy tech programs opt to get certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, a number of North Little Rock 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 applicant be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every 2 years by each program, which can be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Programs Online

Before deciding on a pharmacist tech online college, it's necessary to realize that most programs do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is commonly fulfilled in a local North Little Rock pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to get some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed over the internet in your North Little Rock AR home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for most students, especially for those who keep working while earning their certificate or degree. And online schools are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for driving and course materials may be decreased substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is important for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online college you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged 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 instruction might be the right solution for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

Once you have decided whether you want to attain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacy tech programs to select from in the North Little Rock AR area and throughout the USA, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your North Little Rock home. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be important. But there are many other issues that you need to take into consideration in order to adequately compare schools. The following questions will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? The majority of pharmacy tech colleges and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to offer a complete quality education. Online schools may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Make sure to check that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. In addition to helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it can assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many North Little Rock AR pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but numerous pharmacies desire that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacist technician program needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This condition may be satisfied by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of job experience for certification, which may be met through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Find out if the colleges have a working relationship with North Little Rock AR area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Help? Getting that first position in North Little Rock AR after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a daunting task without some help. Find out if the schools you are considering have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the field creating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they pick will have to be within driving distance of their North Little Rock AR home. Those who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to keep 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 may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacist tech school you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the North Little Rock AR area, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in North Little Rock

Enroll in the Right North Little Rock Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the ideal pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a gratifying profession where assisting people with their health is your mission. In the past, most pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated technicians. Training is offered by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy technician programs incorporate both classroom and clinical training. As we have covered in this article, it's important to select a school 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 follow our additional tips you will be able to compare programs so that you are certain to make the ideal selection. With the right training and determination you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in North Little Rock Arkansas.

 

North Little Rock Pharmacy Technician Certificate | North Little Rock Pharmacy Technician Certificate Online