Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Find the Right One Near Searcy Arkansas

Now that you have decided to attain your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Searcy AR, you might be thinking about how to select the best college to get your education and training. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the ideal one? When checking out pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are important factors when deciding on a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation must be considered as well. And if you prefer studying at home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then finding an accredited online program will also be included in your vetting process. We will cover these qualifications and some others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Diplomas

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally two 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 usually can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also include an internship at an accepted Searcy AR pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually takes about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy technician colleges opt to become certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, a number of Searcy AR pharmacies will only employ a tech that has earned certification. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the candidate be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every 2 years by each program, which may be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Schools Online

Prior to choosing a pharmacist tech online school, it's important to realize that the majority of schools do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is usually satisfied in an area Searcy pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to obtain some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be taken over the internet in your Searcy AR home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for most students, especially for those who continue to work while attaining their degree or certificate. And online schools are often less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and costs for driving and course materials can be decreased substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is important for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that any online school you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online classes might be the right solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

After you have determined whether you want to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are numerous pharmacy tech schools to select from in the Searcy AR area and throughout the Country, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for programs that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Searcy residence. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are many other variables that you need to consider in order to properly compare colleges. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacist tech colleges and trade schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to offer a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance learning. Be sure to verify that the degree or certificate program in addition to the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. In addition to helping make sure that you receive a quality education, it might help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Searcy 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 required in every state, but a number of employers prefer that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech program should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of professional experience. This qualification may be satisfied by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires a year of job experience for certification, which may be met through 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 a great way to satisfy the requirement. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with Searcy AR area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Assistance? Securing that first job in Searcy AR after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a challenging endeavor without any assistance. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the field creating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Searcy AR residence. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern 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 decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps 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 to those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacy technician college you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Searcy AR area, verify that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Searcy

Enroll in the Right Searcy Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the best pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a fulfilling occupation where helping people with their health is your mission. Traditionally, most pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is furnished by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy technician schools include both laboratory and classroom training. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary to select a school that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional tips you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the proper training and commitment you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Searcy Arkansas.

 

Searcy Pharmacy Technician Schools | Searcy Pharmacy Technician Training