Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Paragould Arkansas

Now that you have decided to attain your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Paragould AR, you might be wondering how to choose the best program to get your education and training. But just how do you approach comparing and evaluating colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the right one? A number of prospective students begin by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While cost and location are important concerns when choosing a school, they are not the only ones. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. And if you are interested in studying in your home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then finding an accredited online school will also be included in your vetting process. We will cover these qualifiers and some others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy techs have many job functions, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Paragould AR pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service abilities because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they may assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice pertaining to prescriptions or anything else. All such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. Several of the common daily tasks a pharmacy tech might perform are:

• Welcome and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Dispense prescription medications under pharmacist guidance
• Enter prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit 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, especially for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work off-hours is a very rewarding career assisting customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally two options to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which usually can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs offer an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also require an internship at an approved Paragould AR pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually involves about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program should furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

Certification is not required in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician colleges elect to get certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, many Paragould AR pharmacies will only hire a technician that is certified. There are two organizations that offer 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 completed a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every two years by both programs, which may be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Schools Online

Before choosing a pharmacist tech online program, it's important to understand that most programs do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is typically fulfilled in a local Paragould pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under an experienced pharmacy technician in order to get some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed online in your Paragould AR home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for many students, notably for those who keep working while attaining their degree or certificate. And online schools are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and study materials may be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online program you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online classes may be the best solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

Once you have determined whether you wish to attain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacist technician colleges to pick from in the Paragould AR area and throughout the USA, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably initially look for schools that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Paragould home. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are several other variables that you need to consider in order to effectively compare programs. The following questions will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Most pharmacist tech colleges and vocational schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to offer a complete quality education. Online programs may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online learning. Be sure to verify that the degree or certificate program together with the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. In addition to helping make sure that you get a quality education, it may help in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Paragould AR employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but a number of pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist technician program should prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of job experience. This qualification may be satisfied by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates one year of job experience for certification, which may be met with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Find out if the colleges have associations with Paragould AR area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Assistance? Securing that first job in Paragould AR upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some help. Ask if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Paragould AR home. Students who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing 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 have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacist tech school you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Paragould AR area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

Find Out More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Paragould

Choose the Best Paragould Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the right pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a gratifying profession where helping customers with their wellness is your purpose. Traditionally, many pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most employers can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated technicians. Training is offered by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacist tech schools include both classroom and laboratory work. As we have discussed in this article, it's necessary to select a college that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the right selection. With the right training and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Paragould Arkansas.

 

Paragould Pharmacy Tech Certificate | Paragould Pharmacy Technician Schools