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

It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Brookfield WI in order to get the proper training to build a career in the rewarding field of medicine. Of course the first step is to locate schools that offer the degree or diploma that you are interested in. When looking for pharmacy technician programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are important concerns when picking a school, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. And if you are interested in attending classes in your home by means of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then finding an accredited online program will also be included in your vetting process. We will go over these qualifiers and others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy techs have multiple job duties, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the supervision of a licensed Brookfield 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 drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can help customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice relating to prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. A few of the typical daily duties a pharmacy tech may perform are:

• Receive and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription medications under pharmacist supervision
• Input customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, especially for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work after hours is a very gratifying career helping customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally 2 alternatives to becoming a tech 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 aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an approved Brookfield WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually requires about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more expansive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program can provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech colleges opt to get certified so as to be more competitive when seeking employment. Additionally, many Brookfield 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 requirements are that the applicant be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by each program, which can be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Programs

Prior to deciding on a pharmacy technician online college, it's necessary to realize that most schools do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is typically satisfied in a local Brookfield pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under an experienced pharmacy technician so as to obtain some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be taken over the internet in your Brookfield WI home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for most students, especially for those who keep working while attaining their degree or certificate. And online programs are frequently more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and costs for driving and course materials may be reduced significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that any online college you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online instruction might be the right solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

Once you have decided whether you would like to attain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school options. There are many pharmacist tech schools to choose 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 community colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Brookfield residence. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are several other variables that you should consider in order to properly compare schools. The questions below will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Most pharmacy technician colleges and trade schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to furnish a comprehensive quality education. Online schools may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance education. Be sure to check that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. In addition to helping make sure that you get a quality education, it may assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Brookfield WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but a number of employers prefer that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech college should ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This condition may be met by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires one year of job experience for certification, which can be fulfilled through an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech 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 Brookfield WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Help? Getting that initial job in Brookfield WI upon graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a daunting endeavor without some help. Ask if the schools you are considering have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will need to be within driving distance of their Brookfield WI home. Those who have decided 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 bear 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 may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacist technician school you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Brookfield WI area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Brookfield

Choose the Best Brookfield Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the right pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a fulfilling occupation where helping customers with their wellness is your mission. In the past, most pharmacist techs were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacists can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally educated technicians. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist technician colleges incorporate both classroom and clinical training. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary to enroll in a college that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This applies both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are sure to make the right selection. With the proper education and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Brookfield Wisconsin.

 

Brookfield Pharmacy Technician Schools | Brookfield Pharmacy Technician Training