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

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near Springdale AR so you can get the right training to build a career in the rewarding profession of healthcare. Naturally the first step is to find schools that offer the degree or certificate that you would like to earn. Many prospective students start by looking for schools that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are significant concerns when selecting 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. And if you are interested in attending classes in your home in front of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online school will also be included in 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 take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online programs.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy technicians have various job responsibilities, but their primary responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must work under the supervision of a licensed Springdale AR pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service skills since they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they may assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice relating to prescriptions or anything else. All such questions should be addressed by the pharmacist. A few of the typical daily services a pharmacy technician might carry out are:

• Receive and help customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription medicines under pharmacist guidance
• Enter prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and control 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 very common, especially for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work after hours is an extremely gratifying career helping people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Certificates and Degrees

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are essentially two alternatives to becoming a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be completed in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom 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 two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more comprehensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy tech schools choose to become certified so as to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, a number of Springdale AR pharmacies will only employ a tech that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by both programs, which can be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Colleges

Before deciding on a pharmacy technician online school, it's necessary to realize that most schools do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is typically satisfied in an area Springdale pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to receive some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be taken over the internet in your Springdale AR home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for most students, particularly for those who continue to work while attaining their certificate or degree. And online programs are often less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and costs for driving and course materials can be decreased substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online program you are considering is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online classes might be the ideal solution for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

After you have determined whether you wish to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school options. There are many pharmacist technician colleges to pick from in the Springdale AR area and throughout the Country, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Springdale residence. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are many other variables that you should take into consideration in order to adequately compare schools. The following questions will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Most pharmacist tech colleges and trade schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded 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 superior education. Online programs may also earn 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 pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. In addition to helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it might help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And many Springdale AR pharmacies 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 mandated in every state, but numerous employers desire that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacy technician college needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This condition can be satisfied by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires a year of professional experience for certification, which may be fulfilled with an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy 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 Give Job Placement Help? Securing that first position in Springdale AR after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a challenging endeavor without any assistance. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduates.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they select will need to be within commuting distance of their Springdale AR home. Those who have opted 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 importance. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are researching 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 ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacy tech program you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to 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, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have 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 emergencies.

Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Springdale

Choose the Best Springdale Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the best pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to launching your career in a gratifying profession where helping people with their health is your mission. Traditionally, most pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacists can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally educated technicians. Training is provided by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist tech programs incorporate both classroom and clinical training. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to enroll in a school that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This holds true both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to compare programs so that you are sure to make the best choice. With the proper education and dedication you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Springdale Arkansas.

 

Springdale Pharmacy Technician Programs | Springdale Pharmacy Technician Classes