Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Find the Best One Near Beaumont Texas

It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near Beaumont TX in order to get the right training to begin a career in the rewarding field of healthcare. Of course the first step is to find colleges that offer the degree or diploma that you are interested in. When checking out pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are important factors when picking a school, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. You may also choose to look into some accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifiers 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 technician does, the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online programs.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below

Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy technicians have numerous job duties, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the management of a licensed Beaumont TX pharmacist. They must also have great customer service abilities because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription drugs 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 in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Several of the typical daily services a pharmacy technician might perform are:

• Welcome and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription medicines under pharmacist guidance
• Add prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and control 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 technicians with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work after hours is a very fulfilling career assisting customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are essentially 2 options to becoming a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be completed in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an accepted Beaumont TX pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which typically requires about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more comprehensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can furnish the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech schools opt to become certified so as to be more qualified in the job market. Additionally, a number of Beaumont TX employers will only employ a technician that is certified. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requires that the applicant be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every 2 years by both programs, which may be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Schools Online

Before selecting a pharmacy tech online school, it's important to understand that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is commonly fulfilled in an area Beaumont pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working with an experienced pharmacy technician so as to acquire some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be taken over the internet in your Beaumont TX home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for most students, notably for those who continue to work while earning their certificate or degree. And online schools are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and course materials may be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online school you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online classes might be the best solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

After you have decided whether you would like to attain a degree or a certificate, 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 many pharmacy tech programs to choose from in the Beaumont TX area and throughout the United States, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Beaumont home. If you are willing to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are several other issues that you must take into consideration so that you may properly compare programs. The following questions will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Many pharmacist tech colleges and trade schools have earned a regional or national 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 screened and certified to offer a complete superior education. Online colleges may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance learning. Be sure to check that the degree or certificate program together with the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. In addition to helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it may help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Beaumont TX employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but many pharmacies desire that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacy tech college needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. 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 College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates 1 year of job experience for certification, which may be met by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the colleges have a working relationship with Beaumont TX area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Assistance? Securing that first position in Beaumont TX after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a daunting task without any assistance. Find out if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs. If so, find out 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 means that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can place graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their Beaumont TX residence. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble 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 school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit far 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 colleges you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician program you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Beaumont TX area, confirm that they are available. 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 because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Beaumont

Enroll in the Best Beaumont Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the ideal pharmacy tech training is an important first step to starting your career in a fulfilling occupation where assisting customers with their wellness is your purpose. In the past, many pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacist technician programs include both classroom and laboratory training. As we have covered in this article, it's essential to choose a college that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This holds true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you follow our other tips you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are sure to make the best choice. With the appropriate training and determination you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Beaumont Texas.

 

Beaumont Pharmacy Technician Certificate Online | Beaumont Pharmacy Technician Programs