Pharmacy Tech School
How to Choose the Right One Near Fitchburg Wisconsin

Now it’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near Fitchburg WI in order to receive the right training to begin a career in the rewarding profession of medicine. Naturally the first step is to find schools that offer the degree or diploma that you would like to earn. Many future students start by looking for colleges that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While cost and location are critical factors when choosing a college, they are not the sole ones. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. You may also choose to research a few accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifications and others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at what a pharmacy technician does, the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy technicians have numerous job duties, but their primary responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Fitchburg WI pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills since they will be working 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 terms in order that they may help customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice relating to prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. Several of the typical daily tasks a pharmacy tech might perform are:

• Greet and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Prepare prescription medications under pharmacist supervision
• Input prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and manage inventory

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, especially for newer techs with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work off-hours is an extremely satisfying career helping customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Training Programs

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially two alternatives to training to be a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be completed in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also require an internship at an approved Fitchburg WI pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually involves about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more in depth education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program should provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Options

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy technician colleges opt to become certified so as to be more qualified in the job market. Additionally, a number of Fitchburg WI pharmacies will only employ a tech that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requires that the applicant be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by both programs, which may be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Schools

Before selecting a pharmacy technician online program, it's important to understand that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is commonly satisfied in an area Fitchburg pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy technician so as to obtain some work place experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be taken online in your Fitchburg WI home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for many students, particularly for those who keep working while attaining their degree or certificate. And online programs are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials may be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online program you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online instruction may be the ideal solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges

After you have decided whether you wish to earn a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are numerous pharmacy technician colleges to select from in the Fitchburg WI area and throughout the Country, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Fitchburg home. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are several other variables that you should consider so that you may properly compare schools. The questions below will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? The majority of pharmacist technician colleges and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may also 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 school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Besides helping guarantee that you obtain a quality education, it may help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Fitchburg 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 required in every state, but a number of pharmacies prefer that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacy tech program should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of professional experience. This requirement may be fulfilled by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires 1 year of professional experience for certification, which may be fulfilled with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Find out if the colleges have associations with Fitchburg WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first position in Fitchburg WI after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a difficult undertaking without some help. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the college they decide on will need to be within driving distance of their Fitchburg WI residence. Students who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly 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.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacy technician school you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Fitchburg WI area, make certain 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 enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Fitchburg

Choose the Best Fitchburg Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the right pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to beginning your career in a rewarding profession where helping people with their wellness is your objective. In the past, most pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacies can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist technician programs include both laboratory and classroom training. As we have covered in this article, it's important to select a school that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This is true 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 sure to make the ideal selection. With the right education and determination you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Fitchburg Wisconsin.

 

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