Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Germantown Wisconsin

Having decided to earn your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near Germantown WI, you might be thinking about how to choose the best program to receive your education and training. Of course the first step is to locate schools that offer the certificate or degree that you would like to earn. Many potential students begin by looking for colleges that are within commuting distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are critical concerns when selecting a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into account also. And if you are interested in studying at home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online school will also be included in your vetting process. We will address these qualifiers and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at what a pharmacy technician does, the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online programs.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy techs have many job functions, but their principal responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the supervision of a licensed Germantown WI pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may assist customers with understanding instructions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice regarding prescriptions or anything else. All such questions would be handled by the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily tasks a pharmacy tech may carry out are:

• Receive and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription medicines under pharmacist direction
• Enter prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and manage inventory

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also very common, particularly for newer techs with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work after hours is a very gratifying career assisting people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Degree Programs

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically two alternatives 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 usually can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an approved Germantown WI pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which normally takes about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more expansive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program can provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy technician colleges opt to get certified so as to be more qualified in the job market. Also, many Germantown WI employers will only employ a tech that is certified. There are 2 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, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is required every two years by each program, which may be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Classes

Prior to deciding on a pharmacist tech online college, it's important to understand that most programs do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is typically fulfilled in a local Germantown pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy technician so as to get some work place experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online in your Germantown WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for most students, especially for those who continue to work while earning their degree or certificate. And online schools are frequently more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and costs for commuting and study materials may be decreased substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is critical for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online program you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as 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 might be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

After you have determined whether you want to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are many pharmacy tech colleges to choose from in the Germantown WI area and throughout the USA, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Germantown home. If you are willing to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are many other variables that you should take into consideration in order to adequately compare colleges. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Many pharmacy tech colleges and vocational schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to offer a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance education. Be sure to check that the degree or certificate program as well as the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Along with helping guarantee that you get a quality education, it may assist in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Germantown WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but numerous employers prefer that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacy tech college needs to ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This qualification may be fulfilled by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates 1 year of professional experience for certification, which can be met with an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the schools have a working relationship with Germantown WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Getting that first position in Germantown WI upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a daunting endeavor without some assistance. Find out if the schools you are researching 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 field creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of employer contacts where it can place graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Germantown WI residence. Students who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required 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 don't reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacist tech college you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Germantown WI area, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Germantown

Enroll in the Right Germantown Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the ideal pharmacy tech training is an important first step to beginning your career in a gratifying profession where assisting customers with their health is your mission. In the past, most pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated technicians. Training is furnished by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy tech colleges include both laboratory and classroom training. As we have addressed in this article, it's important to enroll in a college that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This is true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are certain to make the best choice. With the proper education and determination you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Germantown Wisconsin.

 

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