Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Enroll In the Right One Near North Little Rock Arkansas

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near North Little Rock AR in order to get the right training to begin a career in the rewarding field of medicine. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you ultimately pick the right one? A number of potential students begin by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are significant factors when choosing a college, they are not the only ones. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. You may also choose to look into a few accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifications 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 certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online classes.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below

Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy techs have many job functions, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed North Little Rock AR pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when preparing prescription medicines 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 in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice relating to medications or anything else. All such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. A few of the common daily tasks a pharmacy technician might perform are:

• Receive and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Fill prescription medicines under pharmacist direction
• Enter customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, particularly for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally having to work off-hours is an extremely satisfying career assisting people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Diplomas and Degrees

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially two options to becoming a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an approved North Little Rock AR pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally involves about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should furnish the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician schools choose to become certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, many North Little Rock AR employers will only employ a technician that is certified. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requires that the applicant be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which may be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Colleges Online

Prior to selecting a pharmacist tech online school, it's necessary to realize that the majority of programs do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is commonly satisfied in a local North Little Rock pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under an experienced pharmacy tech in order to acquire some work place 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 practical for most students, especially for those who continue to work while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online schools are often less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and course materials may be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is critical for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that any online college 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 training might be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

After you have decided whether you would like to earn a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy technician schools to choose from in the North Little Rock AR area and throughout the USA, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for schools that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your North Little Rock home. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other variables that you must take into consideration so that you may effectively compare schools. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? The majority of pharmacist technician programs and trade schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to furnish a complete quality education. Online schools may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Be sure to check that the degree or certificate program together with the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it may assist in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of North Little Rock AR employers 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 numerous pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist technician program should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of work experience. This condition can be met by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates one year of experience for certification, which can be fulfilled through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the colleges have associations with North Little Rock AR area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Finding that first position in North Little Rock AR upon graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a difficult endeavor without some assistance. Ask if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the field creating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of employer relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they pick will have to be within travelling distance of their North Little Rock AR home. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering 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 ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacist technician school you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the North Little Rock AR area, make sure that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in North Little Rock

Choose the Right North Little Rock Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the best pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to beginning your career in a rewarding profession where helping people with their wellness is your mission. Traditionally, most pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated technicians. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacy tech colleges incorporate both laboratory and classroom training. As we have covered in this article, it's necessary to choose a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This applies both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our other tips you will be able to compare colleges so that you are sure to make the right choice. With the right education and determination you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in North Little Rock Arkansas.

 

North Little Rock Pharmacy Tech Schools | North Little Rock How To Become A Pharmacy Tech