Pharmacy Tech College
How to Pick the Best One Near Chippewa Falls Wisconsin

Having decided to earn your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Chippewa Falls WI, you may be pondering just how to choose the right program to receive your education and training. Usually the first step is to find schools that offer the certificate or degree that you would like to earn. Many potential students start by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are significant factors when choosing a college, 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. You may also choose to research several accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifiers 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 degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online classes.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

Pharmacy techs have numerous job functions, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Chippewa Falls WI pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service skills since they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they may assist customers with understanding directions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice relating to medications or anything else. Any such questions would be handled by the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily functions a pharmacy tech may carry out are:

• Greet and help customers with medications and other questions
• Prepare prescription medicines under pharmacist direction
• Input customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, particularly for newer techs with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes being required to work after hours is a very satisfying career helping customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Diplomas

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally two options to becoming a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be finished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an accepted Chippewa Falls WI pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which normally takes about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more expansive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program can furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available

Certification is not required in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy tech schools opt to get certified so as to be more qualified in the job market. Additionally, many Chippewa Falls WI employers will only employ a tech that is certified. There are 2 organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by both programs, which may be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Colleges

Before selecting a pharmacist tech online program, it's necessary to realize that the majority of programs do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is typically satisfied in a local Chippewa Falls pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to acquire some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed over the internet in your Chippewa Falls WI home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for many students, notably for those who continue to work while earning their degree or certificate. And online schools are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and course materials may be reduced significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is important for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online program you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online training may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

Once you have determined whether you would like to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are numerous pharmacy tech programs to choose from in the Chippewa Falls WI area and throughout the United States, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for programs that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Chippewa Falls home. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are many other variables that you should consider so that you may adequately compare programs. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? The majority of pharmacy technician programs and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a comprehensive quality education. Online schools may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Don't forget to verify that the degree or certificate program in addition to the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you get a superior education, it may help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate 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 Program Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but a number of pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacist tech program needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of work experience. This qualification may be satisfied by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of experience for certification, which may be fulfilled by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Check if the schools have associations with Chippewa Falls WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Help? Getting that first job in Chippewa Falls WI upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a difficult endeavor without some help. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduates.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will have to be within travelling 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 local internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually 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.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller 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 prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacist tech program you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Chippewa Falls WI area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, ask 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 Chippewa Falls

Enroll in the Right Chippewa Falls Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the right pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to beginning your career in a rewarding occupation where helping customers with their health is your purpose. In the past, most pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacies can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated techs. Training is furnished by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy technician schools include both clinical and classroom work. As we have covered in this article, it's necessary to choose a college that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other tips you will be able to compare programs so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the appropriate training and dedication you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Chippewa Falls Wisconsin.

 

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