Pharmacy Tech College
How to Pick the Best One Near Rogers Arkansas

Now that you have decided to attain your pharmacy technician degree or certificate near Rogers AR, you might be pondering how to choose the ideal program to receive your education and training. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the ideal one? When checking out pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are significant factors when picking 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 location and cost. You may also decide to research several accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifications and some others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy technician does, the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online classes.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Description

Pharmacy technicians have multiple job responsibilities, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Rogers AR pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service skills because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription drugs per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can help customers with understanding instructions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice pertaining to medications or anything else. Any such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. A few of the common daily duties a pharmacy technician may perform are:

• Greet and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription medications under pharmacist direction
• Add prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and monitor and control inventory

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy technicians 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 being required to work off-hours is an extremely fulfilling career helping customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Certificates 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 basically two options to becoming a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be completed in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also require an internship at an accepted Rogers AR pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally requires about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can furnish the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy tech colleges choose to get certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Rogers AR employers 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 requirements are that the applicant be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every two years by both programs, which may be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Schools Online

Before deciding on a pharmacist technician online school, it's necessary to realize that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is typically satisfied in an area Rogers pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under an experienced pharmacy technician so as to receive some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed over the internet in your Rogers AR home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for many students, notably for those who keep working while attaining their certificate or degree. And online programs are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and study materials may be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online college you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less supervised form of education, then online instruction may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

After you have decided whether you wish to earn a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist tech colleges to pick from in the Rogers AR area and throughout the Country, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Rogers home. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are many other factors that you need to consider so that you may adequately compare programs. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Most pharmacy technician programs and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of 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 certified to offer a comprehensive superior education. Online schools may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online education. Be sure to verify that the certificate or degree program together with the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Along with helping make sure that you get a superior education, it may help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Rogers AR pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but numerous pharmacies prefer that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacist technician college 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 job experience. This condition may be satisfied by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of professional experience for certification, which may be fulfilled with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech 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 a great way to meet the requirement. Check if the schools have a working relationship with Rogers AR area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Assistance? Getting that initial position in Rogers AR after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a difficult task without any support. Find out if the colleges you are researching have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they select will have to be within driving distance of their Rogers AR residence. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something 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 may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally 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 Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacist technician program you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Rogers AR area, confirm 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 have to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Rogers

Choose the Best Rogers Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the ideal pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to starting your career in a fulfilling profession where helping people with their wellness is your mission. Traditionally, many pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of employers can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated technicians. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist technician schools incorporate both classroom and clinical training. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to select a college that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This holds true both for classes online 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 selection. With the appropriate education and determination you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Rogers Arkansas.

 

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