Pharmacy Tech School
How to Select the Right One Near Allouez Wisconsin
It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near Allouez WI in order to receive the right training to build a career in the rewarding field of medicine. Usually the initial step is to locate schools that offer the diploma or degree that you would like to earn. When checking out pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are significant concerns when choosing a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation should be evaluated as well. And if you prefer attending classes at home in front of your computer instead of in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online college will also be included in your vetting process. We will address 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 diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online programs.
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Pharmacy Technician Job Description
Pharmacy techs have numerous job functions, but their principal responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must work under the supervision of a licensed Allouez WI pharmacist. They must also have great customer service abilities because they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they can help customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever give medical advice relating to medications or anything else. All such questions would be handled by the pharmacist. A few of the regular daily tasks a pharmacy tech might perform are:
- Receive and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
- Fill prescription medications under pharmacist direction
- Input customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
- Phone customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
- Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
- Stock shelves and monitor and control inventory
As a consequence of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, particularly for newer technicians 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 customers with their health and wellness.
Pharmacy Tech Certificates and Degrees
Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally 2 options to becoming a technician 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 finished in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an approved Allouez WI pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally requires about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more comprehensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.
Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices
It is not required to earn certification in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy tech programs elect to become certified so as to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, many Allouez WI employers will only employ 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 applicant be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every 2 years by both programs, which can be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Technician Classes Online
Prior to deciding on a pharmacist technician online program, it's necessary to realize that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is commonly satisfied in a local Allouez pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under an experienced pharmacy tech so as to obtain some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online in your Allouez WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for most students, notably for those who keep working while earning their degree or certificate. And online colleges are often less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and study materials may be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online college you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized 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 right solution for you.
Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs
Once you have determined whether you would like to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are many pharmacist tech programs to pick from in the Allouez WI 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 probably initially look for programs that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Allouez residence. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are several other factors that you should take into consideration so that you may effectively compare schools. The following questions will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.
Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Most pharmacist technician colleges and vocational schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to offer a comprehensive superior education. Online colleges may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Be sure to check that the certificate or degree program together with the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. In addition to helping ensure that you obtain a superior education, it may help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Allouez WI pharmacies 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 every state, but a number of employers prefer that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacist technician program should prep 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 qualification can be satisfied by entering a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates a year of experience for certification, which may be satisfied by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Ask if the colleges have associations with Allouez WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Give Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first job in Allouez WI upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a daunting task without any assistance. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduates.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they select will have to be within travelling distance of their Allouez WI home. Those who have chosen 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 even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacist technician school 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 need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Allouez WI area, verify 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, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Find Out More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Allouez
Choose the Right Allouez Pharmacy Tech School
Finding the right pharmacy tech training is an important first step to starting your career in a gratifying occupation where helping people with their wellness is your mission. Traditionally, most pharmacy techs were trained "on the job". These days, most employers can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist tech programs include both clinical and classroom training. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to select 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 follow our other tips you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are sure to make the best selection. With the appropriate training and commitment you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Allouez Wisconsin.
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