Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Find the Right One Near West Memphis Arkansas

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near West Memphis AR in order to receive the proper training to build a career in the rewarding profession of healthcare. Naturally the initial step is to locate colleges that offer the degree or certificate that you would like to earn. When checking out pharmacy technician schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are important factors when choosing a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers including accreditation and reputation must be taken into account also. You might also want to research a few accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifiers and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Duties

Pharmacy technicians have various job duties, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed West Memphis AR pharmacist. They must also have great 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 an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice concerning medications or anything else. All such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. Several of the common daily duties a pharmacy technician may carry out are:

• Welcome and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription medicines under pharmacist guidance
• Input customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and manage inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also very common, particularly for newer technicians with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work after hours is an extremely gratifying career assisting customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are basically two alternatives to training to be a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an approved West Memphis AR pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally involves about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program should furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available

Certification is not required in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy technician colleges opt to become certified so as to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of West Memphis AR employers will only employ a tech that is certified. There are two organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, 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 mandated every two years by each program, which may be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Colleges Online

Prior to choosing a pharmacy tech online training program, it's important to understand that the majority of programs do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is commonly satisfied in a local West Memphis pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working with an experienced pharmacy tech in order to get some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed over the internet in your West Memphis AR home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for many students, notably for those who keep working while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online schools are sometimes more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and course materials can be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online program you are considering 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 instruction might be the ideal solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges

Once you have determined whether you want to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are a large number of pharmacist tech colleges to pick from in the West Memphis AR area and throughout the USA, 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 undoubtedly initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your West Memphis residence. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other variables that you need to take into consideration so that you may effectively compare colleges. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Most pharmacist technician colleges and trade schools have obtained 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 provide a complete superior education. Online schools may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online education. Be sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Besides helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it may help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many West Memphis AR employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but a number of employers desire that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacy tech college needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This qualification can be fulfilled by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates one year of job experience for certification, which may be fulfilled with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech 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 programs have a working relationship with West Memphis AR area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Securing that initial position in West Memphis AR after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a challenging endeavor without some assistance. Find out if the schools you are researching have job assistance programs. If so, 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 demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they pick will need to be within driving distance of their West Memphis AR home. Students who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at 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 ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacy technician program you finally choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the West Memphis AR area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in West Memphis

Enroll in the Right West Memphis Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the ideal pharmacy tech training is an important first step to launching your career in a rewarding occupation where helping customers with their wellness is your objective. In the past, many pharmacist techs were taught "on the job". These days, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist technician colleges include both clinical and classroom training. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to choose a college that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional tips you will be able to compare schools so that you are certain to make the right choice. With the right education and determination you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in West Memphis Arkansas.

 

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