Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Select the Best One Near De Pere Wisconsin

Now that you have decided to earn your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near De Pere WI, you might be thinking about how to select the right program to receive your education and training. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you ultimately enroll in the ideal one? A number of prospective students start by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are critical factors when selecting a college, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. You might also choose to look into some accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifiers and some others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online courses.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Description

Pharmacy techs have various job duties, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medicines. 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 skills because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may assist customers with understanding instructions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever give medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. All such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. A few of the typical daily services a pharmacy tech may perform are:

• Greet and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Dispense prescription medications under pharmacist direction
• Enter prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, especially for newer techs with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally having to work off-hours is a very rewarding career helping people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Diplomas

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech 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 trade school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted De Pere WI pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically involves 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 in the future. Either program should provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician colleges choose to get certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, many De Pere WI pharmacies will only hire a tech that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requires that the candidate be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has finished 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 called for every two years by each program, which may be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Colleges

Prior to selecting a pharmacy tech online school, it's necessary to understand that most programs do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is typically fulfilled in an area De Pere pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under an experienced pharmacy tech so as to acquire some real world experience. Fortunately 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 practical for most students, especially for those who keep working while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online programs are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and costs for driving and study materials can be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is important for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online college you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online classes may be the best solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

Once you have determined whether you want to attain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy tech programs to choose from in the De Pere WI area and throughout the United States, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your De Pere residence. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are many other issues that you must take into consideration in order to adequately compare schools. The questions below will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Many pharmacist technician colleges and trade schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to provide a complete quality education. Online schools may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online learning. Be sure to verify that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Besides helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it can help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of De Pere WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the School Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but a number of pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacist tech school should ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of professional experience. This requirement may be fulfilled by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires one year of experience for certification, which can be fulfilled with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with De Pere WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Finding that first job in De Pere WI upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a challenging endeavor without some assistance. Find out if the schools you are considering have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they select will need to be within commuting distance of their De Pere WI residence. Students who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something 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 have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician school you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the De Pere WI area, check that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in De Pere

Choose the Best De Pere Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the best pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a rewarding occupation where assisting people with their health is your mission. In the past, most pharmacy 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 educated techs. Training is furnished by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy tech colleges include both classroom and clinical training. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to select a college that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This holds true 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 compare colleges so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the right training and commitment you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in De Pere Wisconsin.

 

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