Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Find the Right One Near Green Bay Wisconsin
It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near Green Bay WI in order to get the proper training to build a career in the rewarding field of medicine. Naturally the initial step is to locate colleges that offer the degree or certificate that you would like to earn. Many potential students start by looking for colleges that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are significant concerns when choosing a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into account as well. You may also decide to research several accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifiers and some others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online courses.
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Pharmacy Technician Job Responsibilities
Pharmacy techs have various job functions, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Green Bay WI pharmacist. They must also have excellent 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 terminology in order that they may assist customers with understanding instructions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no situation should they ever provide medical advice relating to medications or anything else. All such questions should be handled by the pharmacist. A few of the common daily services a pharmacy technician may perform are:
- Welcome and assist customers with medications and other questions
- Prepare prescription medicines under pharmacist supervision
- Add prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
- Contact customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
- Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
- Stock shelves and monitor and manage inventory
Due to the nature 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, especially for newer technicians with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work off-hours is a very satisfying career assisting people with their health and wellness.
Pharmacy Tech Diplomas and Degrees
Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially two options to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be finished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an approved Green Bay WI pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally involves about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more extensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program should provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.
Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices
Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech programs choose to get certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, many Green Bay WI employers will only hire a tech that has earned certification. There are two organizations that provide certification:
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
The NHA requires that the candidate be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is required every two years by each program, which can be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Tech Online Colleges
Before deciding on a pharmacist tech online school, it's important to understand that most schools do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is typically satisfied in a local Green Bay pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy technician in order to obtain some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed online in your Green Bay WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for most students, particularly for those who keep working while attaining their degree or certificate. And online programs are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and study materials may be decreased substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that any online program you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online training may be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools
Once you have determined whether you would like to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist technician programs to pick from in the Green Bay WI area and throughout the USA, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably initially look for schools that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Green Bay residence. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be important. But there are several other factors that you should consider so that you may properly compare colleges. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Most pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Don't forget to check that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Along with helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it might help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And many Green Bay WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but numerous pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacist tech school needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of professional experience. This condition can be satisfied by entering a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates one year of job experience for certification, which can be satisfied with an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Check if the programs have associations with Green Bay WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the School Give Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial job in Green Bay WI upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a challenging task without any support. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the field creating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can refer graduates.
Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Green Bay WI home. Students who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble 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 perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually 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.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacy technician school you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Green Bay WI area, verify that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Green Bay
Choose the Right Green Bay Pharmacy Tech School
Receiving the best pharmacy tech training is an important first step to beginning your career in a gratifying occupation where helping customers with their health is your purpose. In the past, many pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated technicians. Training is offered by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist tech programs incorporate both laboratory and classroom work. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to select a college that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This is true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the right selection. With the right training and dedication you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Green Bay Wisconsin.
Green Bay Pharmacy Tech Schools | Green Bay How To Become A Pharmacy Tech