Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Eau Claire Wisconsin

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Eau Claire WI in order to get the proper training to build a career in the rewarding profession of healthcare. But just how do you approach comparing and evaluating schools so that you subsequently enroll in the best one? When looking for pharmacy technician programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are critical factors when picking a school, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers including accreditation and reputation need to be considered as well. And if you are interested in studying in your home by means of your computer instead of in a classroom, then finding an accredited online college will also be part of your vetting process. We will go over these qualifications and some others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Duties

Pharmacy techs have multiple job functions, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Eau Claire WI pharmacist. They must also have great customer service abilities since they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when preparing prescription drugs per the pharmacist's directions. And they need to have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they may help customers with understanding instructions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever give medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. A few of the regular daily functions a pharmacy technician may carry out are:

• Receive and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription medications under pharmacist supervision
• Add customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and control inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, particularly for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work off-hours is a very gratifying career assisting customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Diplomas and Degrees

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are basically 2 alternatives to becoming a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also include an internship at an accepted Eau Claire WI pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically takes about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can furnish the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician programs opt to get certified in order to be more qualified in the job market. Additionally, a number of Eau Claire WI pharmacies will only hire a technician that has earned certification. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every two years by each program, which may be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Programs

Before selecting a pharmacist technician online school, it's important to realize that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is commonly satisfied in an area Eau Claire pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to receive some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be taken online in your Eau Claire WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for most students, notably for those who continue to work while earning their degree or certificate. And online colleges are often more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for driving and course materials can be reduced significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is critical for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online college you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online training may be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

Once you have decided whether you would like to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are numerous pharmacist tech colleges to select from in the Eau Claire WI area and throughout the United States, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Eau Claire 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 many other factors that you should consider so that you may effectively compare programs. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Most pharmacist technician programs and vocational schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to offer a comprehensive quality education. Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Be sure to check that the certificate or degree program together with the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. Besides helping make sure that you receive a superior education, it may help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Eau Claire 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 many pharmacies prefer that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacy tech school 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 condition can be satisfied by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of professional experience for certification, which may be satisfied by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the programs have a working relationship with Eau Claire WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Help? Securing that initial job in Eau Claire WI after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some help. Ask if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of employer contacts where it can refer graduates.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Eau Claire WI residence. Students who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching 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 an opportunity to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacist technician college you finally choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Eau Claire WI area, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Eau Claire

Enroll in the Right Eau Claire Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the ideal pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to launching your career in a rewarding profession where helping customers with their health is your purpose. In the past, most pharmacist techs were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacies 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 pharmacy tech schools incorporate both classroom and laboratory work. As we have covered in this article, it's essential to select a college that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This holds true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional tips you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are sure to make the best choice. With the appropriate education and dedication you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Eau Claire Wisconsin.

 

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