Pharmacy Tech College
How to Find the Best One Near Bellevue Wisconsin

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near Bellevue WI in order to get the proper training to build a career in the rewarding field of healthcare. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating colleges so that you ultimately enroll in the right one? When checking out pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are significant concerns when deciding on a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifications including accreditation and reputation must be evaluated as well. And if you are interested in studying in your home in front of your computer instead of in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online college will also be part of your vetting process. We will address these qualifiers and some others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

Pharmacy techs have various job duties, but their principal responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Bellevue WI pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills because they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's directions. And they need to have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they may help customers with understanding directions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever provide medical advice pertaining to medications or anything else. Any such questions should be handled by the pharmacist. A few of the regular daily functions a pharmacy tech may perform are:

• Greet and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Prepare prescription medicines under pharmacist guidance
• Enter customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and monitor and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, especially for newer techs with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work after hours is an extremely rewarding career helping people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Diplomas

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically two options to training to be a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be finished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also require an internship at an accepted Bellevue WI pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically requires about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more comprehensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program can provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

Certification is not required in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy tech colleges opt to get certified in order to be more qualified in the job market. Additionally, many Bellevue WI pharmacies will only hire a tech that is certified. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requires that the candidate be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every two years by each program, which can be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Schools

Prior to deciding on a pharmacist tech online program, it's important to realize that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is usually satisfied in a local Bellevue pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy technician so as to receive some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be taken over the internet in your Bellevue WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for many students, notably for those who keep working while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online schools are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials can be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online program you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online training might be the right solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges

Once you have decided whether you want to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy tech programs to pick from in the Bellevue WI area and throughout the Country, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Bellevue residence. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are many other variables that you should consider in order to properly compare programs. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Many pharmacy tech programs and trade schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to furnish a complete quality education. Online colleges may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Be sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Along with helping make sure that you obtain a quality education, it may assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Bellevue WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but a number of pharmacies prefer that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacist tech college needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This qualification may be met by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires one year of job experience for certification, which may be fulfilled with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the schools have associations with Bellevue WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Finding that first position in Bellevue WI after graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a challenging endeavor without any support. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Bellevue WI residence. Those who have chosen to attend online classes naturally 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 decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even 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 usually charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized 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 decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacy tech college you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Bellevue WI area, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Bellevue

Choose the Best Bellevue Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the best pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a rewarding occupation where assisting customers with their health is your objective. Traditionally, most pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally trained techs. Training is furnished by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist technician schools include both classroom and clinical work. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to select a program that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other suggestions you will be able to compare colleges so that you are certain to make the best selection. With the proper education and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Bellevue Wisconsin.

 

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