Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Chippewa Falls Wisconsin

It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near Chippewa Falls WI in order to receive the right training to begin a career in the rewarding field of medicine. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating schools so that you ultimately pick the best one? Many future students begin by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are significant factors when selecting a school, they are not the sole ones. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. And if you prefer attending classes at home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online college will also be part of your vetting process. We will address these qualifications and some others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy technician does, the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Description

Pharmacy techs have various job duties, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Chippewa Falls WI pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities because they will be dealing 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 extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they may assist customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. All such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Several of the regular daily functions a pharmacy tech might perform are:

• Greet and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription medications under pharmacist guidance
• Input prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit 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 typical, especially for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally having to work after hours is a very fulfilling career assisting customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically two alternatives to training to be a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be finished in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an approved Chippewa Falls WI pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which normally requires about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more comprehensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can furnish the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician schools choose to get certified so as to be more qualified in the job market. Also, many Chippewa Falls WI employers will only employ a tech that has earned certification. 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, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by both programs, which may be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Colleges Online

Before choosing a pharmacy technician online school, it's necessary to realize that most schools do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is commonly satisfied in an area Chippewa Falls pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to get some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed online in your Chippewa Falls WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for most students, notably for those who keep working while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online programs are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials may be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that each online program you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online instruction may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

After you have determined whether you wish to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy tech colleges to pick from in the Chippewa Falls WI area and throughout the United States, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Chippewa Falls residence. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are several other issues that you should consider so that you may properly compare schools. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Many pharmacist tech colleges and trade schools have earned a national or regional 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 screened and verified to provide a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance learning. Don't forget to check that the degree or certificate program in addition to the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. Besides helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it can assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And many Chippewa Falls WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but many pharmacies prefer that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacist tech college should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of professional experience. This requirement can be met by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

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

Does the School Give Job Placement Assistance? Finding that first job in Chippewa Falls WI upon graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a challenging undertaking without any assistance. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job placement programs. If they do, 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 profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the college they select will have to be within driving distance of their Chippewa Falls WI residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacist tech college you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Chippewa Falls WI area, make sure that they are offered. 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 have to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Chippewa Falls

Choose the Best Chippewa Falls Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the best pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to beginning your career in a rewarding occupation where helping people with their health is your objective. Traditionally, most pharmacy techs were trained "on the job". These days, the majority of employers can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated technicians. Training is provided by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacist technician schools incorporate both laboratory and classroom training. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to enroll in a school that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies 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 colleges so that you are certain to make the right choice. With the proper education and dedication you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Chippewa Falls Wisconsin.

 

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