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

Now that you have decided to attain your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Cudahy WI, you may be pondering how to select the right school to get your education and training. But just how do you undertake comparing and evaluating colleges so that you subsequently pick the ideal one? A number of future students begin by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While cost and location are important concerns when choosing a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation need to be evaluated also. And if you prefer attending classes at home in front of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then finding an accredited online program will also be part of your vetting process. We will go over these qualifiers and others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at what a pharmacy technician does, the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Duties

Pharmacy techs have various job functions, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed Cudahy WI pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills since they will be interacting 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 so that they can help customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice relating to prescriptions or anything else. All such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. A few of the regular daily duties a pharmacy technician may perform are:

• Greet and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription drugs under pharmacist direction
• Add prescription and customer information 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 monitor and manage inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, especially for newer techs with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work after hours is a very fulfilling career helping people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Degree Programs

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally two options to training to be a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Cudahy WI pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically involves about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program can provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy technician schools opt to get certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, many Cudahy WI pharmacies will only employ a tech that is certified. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the candidate 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 just requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every two years by both programs, which may be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Programs

Prior to choosing a pharmacist technician online college, it's necessary to realize that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is usually satisfied in an area Cudahy pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to get some work place experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken online in your Cudahy WI home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for many students, particularly for those who keep working while earning their degree or certificate. And online colleges are frequently less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and costs for driving and study materials may be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online school you are reviewing 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 classes may be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

After you have determined whether you want to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy technician schools to select from in the Cudahy WI area and throughout the USA, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably initially look for schools that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Cudahy residence. If you are willing to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other issues that you should consider so that you may effectively compare colleges. The questions below will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Most pharmacist tech programs and trade schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online colleges may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Be sure to verify that the degree or certificate program in addition to the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping guarantee that you get a quality education, it might help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Cudahy WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but numerous employers desire that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacy technician program needs to ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This qualification can be met by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates one year of job experience for certification, which may be fulfilled with an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician 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 programs have associations with Cudahy WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Help? Finding that initial job in Cudahy WI upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a difficult task without some support. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will have to be within commuting distance of their Cudahy WI residence. Students who have decided to attend classes online obviously 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 keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the typical student to teacher 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 a chance to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacist technician program you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Cudahy WI area, check that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Cudahy

Enroll in the Right Cudahy Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the ideal pharmacy tech training is an important first step to starting your career in a rewarding profession where helping customers with their wellness is your mission. In the past, most pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist tech schools incorporate both laboratory and classroom training. As we have covered in this article, it's necessary to enroll in a college 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 follow our other suggestions you will be able to compare colleges so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the appropriate training and commitment you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Cudahy Wisconsin.

 

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