Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Select the Best One Near Springdale Arkansas

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near Springdale AR in order to get the right training to build a career in the rewarding field of medicine. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing colleges so that you ultimately enroll in the best one? Many potential students start by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are important factors when selecting a school, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. You may also choose to take a look at a few accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifications and others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Description

Pharmacy techs have numerous job responsibilities, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed Springdale AR pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they can help customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice regarding medications or anything else. All such questions would be handled by the pharmacist. Some of the regular daily services a pharmacy technician may perform are:

• Greet and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Prepare prescription medications under pharmacist guidance
• Input prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock 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 evenings and weekends is also typical, especially for newer techs with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work off-hours is a very satisfying career assisting people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically two options to becoming a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Springdale AR pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which typically takes about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more expansive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Choices

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech colleges choose to become certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, a number of Springdale AR pharmacies will only hire a technician that is certified. There are 2 organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requires that the applicant be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which can be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Schools

Prior to selecting a pharmacy technician online school, it's necessary to realize that most schools do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is usually satisfied in an area Springdale pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to obtain some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed over the internet in your Springdale AR home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for most students, particularly for those who continue to work while earning their certificate or degree. And online schools are frequently more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and costs for driving and study materials can be reduced significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online college you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online instruction might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

Once you have determined whether you wish to earn a certificate or degree, 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 technician schools to pick from in the Springdale AR area and throughout the United States, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Springdale home. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other variables that you should consider in order to effectively compare colleges. The questions below will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? The majority of pharmacist technician colleges and vocational schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to furnish a complete quality education. Online colleges may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online education. Make sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Besides helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it can assist 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 Springdale AR pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but numerous employers desire that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacy tech school needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of work experience. This requirement may be satisfied by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of experience for certification, which can be met with an internship program. One of the best ways to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the colleges have associations with Springdale AR area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Securing that initial job in Springdale AR upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a challenging undertaking without any support. Ask if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs. If they do, ask 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 appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Springdale AR residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry 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 school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.

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

Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Springdale

Choose the Best Springdale Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the right pharmacy technician training is an important first step to starting your career in a rewarding profession where assisting customers with their health is your objective. In the past, most pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacies can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally trained techs. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy tech colleges include both laboratory and classroom training. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to select a college that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This applies both for classes online as well as 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 right education and dedication you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Springdale Arkansas.

 

Springdale Pharmacy Technician Certificate | Springdale Pharmacy Technician Certificate Online