Pharmacy Tech College
How to Find the Best One Near West Memphis Arkansas

It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near West Memphis AR in order to receive the right training to build a career in the rewarding field of medicine. Usually the first step is to locate colleges that offer the certificate or degree that you would like to earn. When looking for pharmacy technician programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are critical factors when selecting a college, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation need to be evaluated also. You may also want to look into several accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifications and some 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 degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

Pharmacy techs have many job duties, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed West Memphis AR pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they may assist customers with understanding instructions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice regarding prescriptions or anything else. All such questions should be handled by the pharmacist. Several of the regular daily functions a pharmacy tech might perform are:

• Receive and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Prepare prescription drugs under pharmacist direction
• Add prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, especially for newer techs with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally having to work off-hours is an extremely fulfilling career helping people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are basically two options to becoming a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which usually can be finished in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted West Memphis AR pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually involves about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more expansive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program should provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available

Certification is not required in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech schools elect to get certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, many West Memphis AR employers will only employ a technician 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 candidate be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is required every two years by each program, which can be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Programs

Prior to deciding on a pharmacy tech online college, it's important to realize that most programs do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is typically fulfilled in an area West Memphis pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to get some work place experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online in your West Memphis AR home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for most students, notably for those who continue to work while attaining their degree or certificate. And online colleges are sometimes more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and study materials can be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is essential for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that each 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 study with a less structured form of education, then online training may be the best solution for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

Once you have decided whether you want to attain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school options. There are a large number of pharmacist tech programs to pick from in the West Memphis AR area and throughout the USA, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your West Memphis residence. If you are willing to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are a number of other issues that you should take into consideration in order to properly compare programs. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Many pharmacist technician programs and trade schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. Among 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 furnish a complete superior education. Online colleges may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online learning. Be sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Along with helping guarantee that you get a quality education, it might help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And many West Memphis AR employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but numerous pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacist technician program should ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of work experience. This condition may be met by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires one year of professional experience for certification, which may be met by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train 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 fulfill the requirement. Ask if the colleges have a working relationship with West Memphis AR area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial job in West Memphis AR upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some help. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can place graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they choose will need to be within driving distance of their West Memphis AR home. Students 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 importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college 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 to those students that don't reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.

Can the College 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 especially crucial if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the West Memphis AR area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in West Memphis

Enroll in the Best West Memphis Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the ideal pharmacy technician training is an important first step to starting your career in a gratifying occupation where assisting customers with their health is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most employers can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is furnished by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacy technician schools include both classroom and clinical work. As we have covered in this article, it's important to select a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This holds true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other suggestions you will be able to compare programs so that you are sure to make the right selection. With the right education and commitment you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in West Memphis Arkansas.

 

West Memphis Pharmacy Technician Schools | West Memphis Pharmacy Technician Training