Pharmacy Tech College
How to Find the Right One Near Appleton Wisconsin

Now that you have decided to earn your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near Appleton WI, you might be pondering just how to select the best school to receive your education and training. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing schools so that you ultimately pick the ideal one? Many potential students start by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are critical concerns when choosing a college, they are not the only ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation need to be considered also. You may also want to look into some accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifications and some 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 advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy techs have numerous job functions, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the management of a licensed Appleton WI pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities because they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they can help customers with understanding directions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice relating to medications or anything else. All such questions should be handled by the pharmacist. Several of the common daily functions a pharmacy tech may carry out are:

• Welcome and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription medications under pharmacist direction
• Input customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also very common, especially for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes being required to work after hours is an extremely rewarding career assisting customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Training Programs

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally two alternatives to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also include an internship at an approved Appleton WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which generally takes about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program can provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

Certification is not required in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy technician schools elect to get certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, a number of Appleton WI employers will only hire a technician that has earned certification. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requires that the applicant be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by each program, which can be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Classes Online

Before choosing a pharmacist tech online program, it's necessary to understand that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is usually fulfilled in an area Appleton 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 get some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed over the internet in your Appleton WI home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for most students, particularly for those who continue to work while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online colleges are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for driving and course materials may be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is important for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online school you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less supervised form of education, then online instruction might be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

Once you have determined whether you would like to earn a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy tech programs to pick from in the Appleton WI area and throughout the United States, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Appleton residence. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are several other factors that you must consider in order to effectively compare colleges. The following questions will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Many pharmacy tech programs and trade schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to furnish a complete quality education. Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online education. Be sure to check that the degree or certificate program in addition to the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it may help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Appleton WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the College Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but a number of pharmacies prefer that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacist technician program should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of job experience. This condition may be satisfied by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates a year of job 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 tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the schools have a working relationship with Appleton WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Give Job Placement Help? Securing that first job in Appleton WI upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a daunting task without any help. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Appleton WI residence. Students who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of 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 want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the typical student to teacher 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 speak with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the pharmacy tech college you finally pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Appleton WI area, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Appleton

Enroll in the Right Appleton Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the right pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a gratifying profession where helping people with their health is your objective. In the past, most pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". These days, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated technicians. Training is furnished by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist technician programs include both classroom and laboratory work. As we have covered in this article, it's important to choose a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This is true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other suggestions you will be able to compare colleges so that you are sure to make the right selection. With the right training and dedication you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Appleton Wisconsin.

 

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