Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Find the Right One Near West Memphis Arkansas
Having decided to attain your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near West Memphis AR, you may be thinking about how to choose the best school to get your education and training. Usually the initial step is to find schools that offer the diploma or degree that you would like to earn. When checking out pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While tuition and location are important factors when selecting a college, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. You might also want to take a look at some accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will go over these qualifiers and others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online classes.
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Pharmacy Tech Certificates and Degrees
Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially 2 options to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be completed in a year or less. These programs offer an overview to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also include an internship at an approved West Memphis AR pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually involves about 2 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. Each program should provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.
Pharmacy Technician Certification Choices
Certification is not required in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician programs elect to get certified so as to be more competitive when seeking employment. Additionally, many West Memphis AR employers will only hire a technician that is certified. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
The NHA requires that the candidate be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which may be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Technician Online Programs
Before selecting a pharmacist tech online program, it's necessary to understand that most schools do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is typically satisfied in an area West Memphis pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under an experienced pharmacy tech so as to acquire 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 alternative is more accommodating for many students, notably for those who keep working while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online programs are frequently more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and costs for driving and study materials may be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that any online program you are reviewing is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online training may be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs
After you have determined whether you want to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy technician colleges to choose from in the West Memphis AR area and throughout the USA, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for schools that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your West Memphis 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 several other factors that you need to take into consideration so that you may adequately compare colleges. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final selection.
Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Many pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have acquired a national or regional 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 screened and certified to provide a complete quality education. Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Be sure to verify 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. Along with helping make sure that you obtain a quality education, it can assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of West Memphis AR employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but a number of pharmacies desire that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacist technician program should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This condition can be satisfied by entering a college sponsored internship program.
Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates 1 year of experience for certification, which can be satisfied by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the schools have associations with West Memphis AR area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Offer Job Placement Help? Getting that first job in West Memphis AR after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a challenging endeavor without any help. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the field generating 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 School Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their West Memphis AR home. Students who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacy tech college you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the West Memphis AR area, make certain that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in West Memphis
Enroll in the Right West Memphis Pharmacy Tech Program
Getting the ideal pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a gratifying occupation where helping people with their wellness is your purpose. In the past, most pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most employers can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally educated technicians. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacy tech programs include both classroom and clinical work. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary to choose a college that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This holds true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the right selection. With the right training and determination you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in West Memphis Arkansas.
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