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

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near De Pere WI in order to receive the right training to begin a career in the rewarding field of medicine. Of course the first step is to locate schools that offer the degree or diploma that you are interested in. When checking out pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are significant factors when deciding on a college, they are not the sole ones. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. You might also choose to research a few accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifications and some others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy technicians have various job functions, but their main responsibility 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 good customer service skills because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when preparing prescription medicines 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 directions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. All such questions would be handled by the pharmacist. A few of the common daily services a pharmacy technician might carry out are:

• Greet and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Dispense prescription medicines under pharmacist direction
• Input prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and manage inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, particularly for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or at times being required to work off-hours is an extremely fulfilling career assisting people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Certificates

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically two options to training to be a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an accepted 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 required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program should furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices

Certification is not required in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy tech colleges elect to get certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Also, many De Pere WI employers will only hire a technician that is certified. There are 2 organizations that provide 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 completed a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is required every two years by each program, which can be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Schools Online

Before selecting a pharmacy tech online college, it's important to realize that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is typically fulfilled in an area De Pere pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to receive some work place experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be taken over the internet in your De Pere 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 schools are sometimes more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and costs for commuting and study materials can be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is essential for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that each online school you are reviewing is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online instruction might be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

After you have decided whether you wish to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist tech programs to choose from in the De Pere WI area and throughout the United States, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for schools that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your De Pere home. 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 many other variables that you must take into consideration so that you may effectively compare programs. The questions below will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Many pharmacy technician colleges and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online schools may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Make sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program in addition to the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Besides helping make sure that you get a superior education, it might help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many De Pere WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but numerous employers desire that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacist technician program needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This requirement may be fulfilled by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of job experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the colleges have associations with De Pere WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Assistance? Securing that first job in De Pere WI after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a challenging undertaking without any assistance. Ask if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they choose will have to be within driving distance of their De Pere WI home. Those who have chosen to attend classes online 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 keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering 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 final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacy tech school you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night 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 carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in De Pere

Enroll in the Best De Pere Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the ideal pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to launching your career in a fulfilling occupation where assisting customers with their wellness is your objective. Traditionally, many pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated technicians. Training is furnished by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist tech colleges incorporate both clinical and classroom work. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to choose a school that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you follow our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the proper training and determination you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in De Pere Wisconsin.

 

De Pere Pharmacy Technician Schools | De Pere Pharmacy Technician Training