Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Russellville Arkansas

Now it’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near Russellville AR in order to get the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding profession of healthcare. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating colleges so that you ultimately pick the ideal one? When checking out pharmacy technician schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While tuition and location are critical concerns when choosing a school, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. And if you are interested in studying in your home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online college will also be part of your vetting process. We will address these qualifications and others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online classes.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

Pharmacy technicians have numerous job duties, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed Russellville AR pharmacist. They must also have great customer service abilities since they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they may assist customers with understanding instructions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no situation should they ever give medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. A few of the typical daily functions a pharmacy technician may carry out are:

• Receive and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Fill prescription drugs under pharmacist supervision
• Add customer and prescription 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 monitor and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, especially for newer technicians with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work off-hours is an extremely fulfilling career assisting people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally 2 alternatives to becoming a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an accepted Russellville AR pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which normally takes about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Choices

Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician schools choose to get certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, a number of Russellville AR employers will only hire a tech that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requires that the candidate be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has finished 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 required every 2 years by both programs, which may be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Programs

Before choosing a pharmacy technician online school, it's necessary to realize that most programs do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is commonly satisfied in a local Russellville pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under an experienced pharmacy tech in order to obtain some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken online in your Russellville AR home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for many students, especially for those who keep working while attaining their certificate or degree. And online schools are often more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials can be reduced 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 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 study with a less formal type of education, then online training might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

Once you have determined whether you want 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 options. There are many pharmacy tech colleges to pick from in the Russellville AR area and throughout the USA, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Russellville home. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are a number of other issues that you must consider so that you may properly compare programs. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacy tech programs and trade schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online colleges may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Make sure to check that the degree or certificate program as well as the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you get a superior education, it might help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And many Russellville AR employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but a number of employers prefer that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacist tech college should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of job experience. This qualification can be satisfied by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires a year of professional experience for certification, which can be satisfied by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the programs have a working relationship with Russellville AR area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Give Job Placement Help? Securing that initial position in Russellville AR after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a daunting undertaking without any help. Ask if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of employer relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Russellville AR home. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges 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 converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy tech school you finally choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Russellville AR area, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Russellville

Enroll in the Right Russellville Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the ideal pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a gratifying occupation where helping customers with their health is your purpose. Traditionally, many pharmacy techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacists can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is offered by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy technician programs include both clinical and classroom work. As we have addressed in this article, it's important to enroll in a program 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 make use of our other tips you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the right education and determination you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Russellville Arkansas.

 

Russellville Pharmacy Technician Programs | Russellville Pharmacy Technician Classes