Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Brookfield Wisconsin

Having made the decision to attain your pharmacy technician degree or certificate near Brookfield WI, you might be wondering just how to choose the best school to receive your education and training. Naturally the initial step is to locate colleges that offer the diploma or degree that you are interested in. When checking out pharmacy technician schools, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are critical factors when selecting a school, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications including accreditation and reputation should be taken into account as well. And if you are interested in studying at home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online program will also be part of your vetting process. We will go over these qualifiers and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Degree Programs

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally two alternatives to training to be a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an approved Brookfield WI pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which generally involves about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program should provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech programs elect to become certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, a number of Brookfield WI employers 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 requires that the candidate be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by each program, which may be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Colleges

Before deciding on a pharmacist technician online college, it's important to realize that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is typically satisfied in a local Brookfield pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working with an experienced pharmacy tech so as to obtain some work place experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed over the internet in your Brookfield WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for many students, particularly for those who continue to work while earning their degree or certificate. And online colleges are frequently less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and costs for driving and course materials can be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is critical for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online school you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online instruction might be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

Once you have determined whether you want to earn a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are numerous pharmacy tech colleges to pick from in the Brookfield WI area and throughout the United States, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Brookfield home. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are a number of other variables that you need to take into consideration in order to effectively compare schools. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? The majority of pharmacy technician colleges and vocational schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online colleges may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Don't forget to check that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Besides helping guarantee that you obtain a superior education, it may assist in acquiring 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 Brookfield WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but many pharmacies prefer that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacist technician program needs to ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This requirement may be met by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates one year of experience for certification, which can be met with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the colleges have a working relationship with Brookfield WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial job in Brookfield WI after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a difficult undertaking without some help. Find out 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 indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of employer contacts where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Brookfield WI residence. Those who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacist tech college you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Brookfield WI area, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Brookfield

Enroll in the Right Brookfield Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the right pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to launching your career in a rewarding occupation where helping customers with their wellness is your mission. Traditionally, many pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacies can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy tech colleges incorporate both classroom and laboratory work. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary to choose a program that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This holds true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are sure to make the right choice. With the appropriate training and determination you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Brookfield Wisconsin.

 

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