Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Select the Best One Near Fort Atkinson Wisconsin

It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near Fort Atkinson WI so you can receive the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding field of medicine. Usually the initial step is to find schools that offer the certificate or degree that you would like to earn. A number of potential students start by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While cost and location are critical factors when picking a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers including accreditation and reputation should be evaluated also. You might also choose to research several accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will go over these qualifiers and some others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy technicians have many job duties, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Fort Atkinson WI pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service skills since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever give medical advice pertaining to medications or anything else. Any such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. Several of the regular daily duties a pharmacy technician may perform are:

• Greet and help customers with medications and other questions
• Dispense prescription drugs under pharmacist supervision
• Enter customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and control inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority 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 occasionally being required to work off-hours is a very satisfying career helping people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Degree Programs

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are basically two options to becoming a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which usually can be finished in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also include an internship at an accepted Fort Atkinson WI pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally requires about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more in depth education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy technician colleges choose to become certified so as to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, a number of Fort Atkinson WI pharmacies will only employ a technician that is certified. There are two organizations that offer 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 finished a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every 2 years by both programs, which may be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Programs

Prior to deciding on a pharmacist tech online program, it's necessary to realize that most schools do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is commonly satisfied in a local Fort Atkinson pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy tech in order to get some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed online in your Fort Atkinson WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for many students, especially for those who keep working while attaining their degree or certificate. And online schools are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and costs for driving and course materials can be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is critical for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that each online program you are reviewing is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online classes might be the right solution for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

Once you have determined whether you wish to attain 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 alternatives. There are many pharmacist technician colleges to pick from in the Fort Atkinson WI area and throughout the Country, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Fort Atkinson residence. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are several other issues that you must consider in order to adequately compare colleges. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Many pharmacist technician colleges and trade 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 furnish a complete superior education. Online schools may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance education. Don't forget to confirm that the degree or certificate program together with the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides helping ensure that you obtain a superior education, it can assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Fort Atkinson WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the Program Prepare 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 program should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This qualification may be fulfilled by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires one year of experience for certification, which may be fulfilled with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the colleges have associations with Fort Atkinson WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Help? Securing that initial job in Fort Atkinson WI after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a challenging endeavor without any help. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Fort Atkinson WI home. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at 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 ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician school you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Fort Atkinson WI area, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Fort Atkinson

Choose the Best Fort Atkinson Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the right pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to beginning your career in a fulfilling profession where assisting customers with their wellness is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is furnished by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist tech colleges incorporate both classroom and clinical work. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to enroll in a college that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This applies both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional tips you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are sure to make the right choice. With the proper education and dedication you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Fort Atkinson Wisconsin.

 

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