Pharmacy Tech College
How to Choose the Best One Near Eau Claire Wisconsin

Having decided to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Eau Claire WI, you might be thinking about just how to pick the ideal college to get your education and training. Usually the initial step is to locate colleges that offer the degree or diploma that you are interested in. A number of future students start by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are significant factors when picking a college, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. And if you are interested in attending classes at home by means of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online school will also be included in your vetting process. We will address 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.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Duties

Pharmacy techs have many job functions, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must work under the supervision of a licensed Eau Claire WI pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription drugs per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they can assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no situation should they ever give medical advice relating to medications or anything else. All such questions would be handled by the pharmacist. A few of the typical daily services a pharmacy technician may carry out are:

• Welcome and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Prepare prescription medicines under pharmacist supervision
• Enter prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. 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 after hours is a very satisfying career assisting people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Degree Programs

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally 2 options to training to be a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include classroom and lab training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Eau Claire WI pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually requires about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more expansive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Choices

Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech programs choose to become certified so as to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, a number of Eau Claire WI employers will only hire a technician that is certified. There are two organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requires that the candidate be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by each program, which can be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Schools

Prior to choosing a pharmacy technician online training program, it's important to understand that the majority of programs do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is usually satisfied in an area Eau Claire pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under an experienced pharmacy tech so as to receive some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed online in your Eau Claire WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for many students, especially for those who keep working while earning their degree or certificate. And online programs are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and course materials may be reduced significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that each online school you are reviewing is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, such as 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 might be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

Once you have decided whether you would like to attain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school options. There are many pharmacy tech colleges to choose from in the Eau Claire WI area and throughout the USA, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Eau Claire 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 factors that you must take into consideration so that you may effectively compare schools. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Many pharmacy tech colleges and trade schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to furnish a comprehensive quality education. Online schools may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Don't forget to check that the certificate or degree program together with the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Besides helping ensure that you get a quality education, it can assist 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 Eau Claire WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but numerous employers desire that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacist technician program should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This condition may be fulfilled by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of job experience for certification, which may be satisfied through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the schools have associations with Eau Claire WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial position in Eau Claire WI upon graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a difficult undertaking without some assistance. Ask if the schools you are considering have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of employer contacts where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they pick will need to be within travelling distance of their Eau Claire WI home. Those who have chosen 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 keep in mind is that if you choose 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 for those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacist tech school you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Eau Claire WI area, verify that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Eau Claire

Enroll in the Best Eau Claire Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the right pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to beginning your career in a fulfilling occupation where helping people with their health is your mission. Traditionally, many pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". These days, most pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated technicians. Training is furnished by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist tech schools incorporate both clinical and classroom training. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to enroll in a program that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional tips you will be able to compare colleges so that you are sure to make the best choice. With the proper training and dedication you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Eau Claire Wisconsin.

 

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