Pharmacy Tech School
How to Choose the Best One Near De Pere Wisconsin

Having decided to earn your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near De Pere WI, you might be wondering how to choose the right college to get your education and training. But just how do you approach comparing and evaluating colleges so that you subsequently pick the best one? Many prospective students start by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While cost and location are significant concerns when choosing a college, they are not the only ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation need to be taken into account as well. You might also decide to research several accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will go over 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 tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online programs.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below

Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy technicians have many job duties, but their principal responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the supervision of a licensed De Pere WI pharmacist. They must also have great customer service abilities since they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can help customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice regarding prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions should be addressed by the pharmacist. A few of the regular daily tasks a pharmacy tech may perform are:

• Receive and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Prepare prescription drugs under pharmacist supervision
• Add customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and manage inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also very common, particularly for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes being required to work off-hours is an extremely satisfying career helping customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally 2 options to training to be a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which usually can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an approved De Pere WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which typically requires about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program should furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician colleges opt to become certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, many De Pere WI pharmacies 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 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 just requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every two years by both programs, which can be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Schools

Before selecting a pharmacist technician online school, it's important to realize that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is commonly fulfilled in an area De Pere pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to acquire some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken online in your De Pere WI home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for many students, notably for those who keep working while earning their certificate or degree. And online schools are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and costs for commuting and study materials can be reduced significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online college you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for instance 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 ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

After you have decided whether you want to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy technician programs to pick from in the De Pere WI area and throughout the USA, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your De Pere home. If you are able 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 variables that you need to consider in order to effectively compare colleges. The following questions will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Many pharmacy technician programs and trade schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to offer a comprehensive superior education. Online schools may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Make sure to verify that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it might help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And a number of De Pere 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 a number of employers prefer that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacy tech college should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This qualification can be met by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires 1 year of job experience for certification, which may be fulfilled by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Find out if the programs have a working relationship with De Pere WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Securing that initial job in De Pere WI after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a daunting task without any assistance. Find out if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs. If so, 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 indicates that it has a large network of employer contacts where it can place graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their De Pere WI home. Individuals who have decided 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 importance. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor 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 opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacy technician school you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the De Pere WI area, make sure 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 have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in De Pere

Choose the Right De Pere Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the right pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a fulfilling profession where helping people with their health is your mission. In the past, many pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacists can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is offered by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacist tech colleges include both clinical and classroom work. As we have covered in this article, it's important to select a college 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 other tips you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are certain to make the ideal choice. With the proper education and commitment you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy tech in De Pere Wisconsin.

 

De Pere Pharmacy Technician Courses | De Pere Pharmacy Tech Schools Online