Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Choose the Right One Near Allouez Wisconsin

It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near Allouez WI so you can receive the right training to build a career in the rewarding field of medicine. Naturally the initial step is to locate colleges that offer the degree or diploma that you are interested in. When checking out pharmacy technician programs, many potential students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are significant concerns when deciding on a school, they are not the sole ones. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are equally 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 instead of in a classroom, then finding an accredited online college will also be included in your vetting process. We will cover these qualifications and others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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

Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy technicians have various job functions, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Allouez WI pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills because they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they can assist customers with understanding directions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice pertaining to prescriptions or anything else. All such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. A few of the common daily duties a pharmacy tech might perform are:

• Welcome and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription medicines under pharmacist supervision
• Input prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and monitor and control inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, especially for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work after hours is an extremely gratifying career assisting people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally two alternatives to becoming 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 finished in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an approved Allouez WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which typically 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 in the future. Each program should furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

Certification is not required in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy technician colleges choose to become certified so as to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, a number of Allouez WI pharmacies will only hire a tech that has earned certification. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by both programs, which can be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Colleges

Prior to choosing a pharmacy tech online school, it's important to realize that the majority of schools do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is typically satisfied in a local Allouez pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to obtain some work place experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken over the internet in your Allouez WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for most students, particularly for those who keep working while earning their degree or certificate. And online programs are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and course materials can be decreased substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is important for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online school you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized 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 classes might be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

Once you have determined 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 technician colleges to pick from in the Allouez WI area and throughout the USA, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Allouez residence. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other variables that you must consider so that you may adequately compare programs. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacist technician colleges and trade schools have acquired 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 screened and certified to offer a complete quality education. Online colleges may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online learning. Be sure to check that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it may assist in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Allouez WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but numerous employers prefer that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech program should prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This qualification may be fulfilled by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates one year of professional experience for certification, which may be satisfied by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech 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 meet the requirement. Ask if the colleges have associations with Allouez WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first job in Allouez WI upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a challenging task without some support. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a substantial network of employer contacts where it can place graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Allouez WI home. Those who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern 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 decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacy technician college you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Allouez WI area, verify that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Allouez

Enroll in the Right Allouez Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving 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 mission. Traditionally, many pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is furnished by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist technician schools incorporate both classroom and clinical training. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to select a program 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 make use of our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the best selection. With the proper education and determination you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Allouez Wisconsin.

 

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