Pharmacy Tech School
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Springdale Arkansas

Now that you have made the decision to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Springdale AR, you may be thinking about just how to choose the right college to get your education and training. Usually the initial step is to find schools that offer the degree or certificate that you are interested in. A number of potential students start by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are critical factors when choosing a school, they are not the sole 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 prefer studying in your home by means of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then finding an accredited online school will also be part of your vetting process. We will address these qualifiers and some others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online programs.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Duties

Pharmacy techs have many job duties, but their primary responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Springdale AR pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills 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 a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can help customers with understanding directions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever provide medical advice relating to prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the regular daily tasks a pharmacy technician may perform are:

• Welcome and help customers with medications and other questions
• Dispense prescription medications under pharmacist guidance
• Add customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and control inventory

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

Pharmacy Technician Certificates and Degrees

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 options to training to be a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be completed in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an approved Springdale AR pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually requires about 2 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. Each program can provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech programs opt to become certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, many Springdale AR employers 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 requires that the applicant be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by each program, which may be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Programs

Prior to selecting a pharmacist tech online college, it's important to realize that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is commonly fulfilled in an area Springdale pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy tech in order to get some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed online in your Springdale AR home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for most students, especially for those who keep working while earning their certificate or degree. And online colleges are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and costs for commuting and study materials can be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is critical for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online program you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online instruction might be the ideal solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges

After you have decided whether you wish to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are numerous pharmacy technician schools to pick from in the Springdale AR area and throughout the USA, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Springdale residence. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are several other variables that you should consider in order to effectively compare colleges. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Most pharmacy technician programs and trade schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to provide a complete superior education. Online colleges may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Don't forget to confirm that the degree or certificate program as well as the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Besides helping ensure that you obtain a superior education, it might assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Springdale AR pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but a number of pharmacies prefer that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacist technician college needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This condition may be fulfilled by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates 1 year of job experience for certification, which may be met by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Find out if the colleges have a working relationship with Springdale AR area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Help? Getting that first job in Springdale AR upon graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a difficult endeavor without any help. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they pick will need to be within travelling distance of their Springdale AR residence. Those 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. One thing 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 may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical teacher to student 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 several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician college you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Springdale AR area, make certain that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Springdale

Enroll in the Right Springdale Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the best pharmacy tech training is an important first step to beginning your career in a gratifying occupation where helping people with their health is your objective. In the past, many pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". These days, most pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally trained techs. Training is provided by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist technician schools include both clinical and classroom work. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to choose a school that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This holds true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our other tips you will be able to compare schools so that you are certain to make the right selection. With the proper training and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Springdale Arkansas.

 

Springdale Pharmacy Tech Schools | Springdale How To Become A Pharmacy Tech