Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Green Bay Wisconsin

Now it’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near Green Bay WI in order to get the right training to begin a career in the rewarding profession of healthcare. Of course the initial step is to locate schools that offer the diploma or degree that you would like to earn. Many future students begin by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are important concerns when deciding on a school, 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. You might also decide to research some accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifiers and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Degrees

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 options to becoming a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which usually can be completed in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an approved Green Bay WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which generally requires about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program should provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Options

Certification is not required in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician schools opt to get certified so as to be more qualified in the job market. Also, a number of Green Bay WI employers will only employ a technician that is certified. There are 2 organizations that offer 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 finished a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every two years by both programs, which may be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Classes

Before selecting a pharmacy tech online college, it's necessary to understand that most schools do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is commonly fulfilled in a local Green Bay pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under an experienced pharmacy technician so as to get some work place experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be taken over the internet in your Green Bay WI home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for many students, especially for those who keep working while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online programs are sometimes less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials can be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online college you are reviewing is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online instruction may be the best solution for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

Once you have decided whether you want to earn a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school options. There are numerous pharmacist tech schools to choose from in the Green Bay WI area and throughout the United States, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for programs that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Green Bay residence. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other issues that you need to consider so that you may properly compare programs. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Many pharmacy tech programs and trade schools have earned 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 complete quality education. Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Be sure to verify 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 make sure that you receive a quality education, it might assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Green Bay 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 mandated in every state, but a number of pharmacies prefer that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacy tech school needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This condition can be satisfied by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires a year of job experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the programs have a working relationship with Green Bay WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Help? Finding that first position in Green Bay WI after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a challenging task without any assistance. Find out if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs. If so, find out 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 means that it has a large network of employer contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Green Bay WI residence. Individuals who have decided 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. One thing 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 may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacist technician school you finally pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Green Bay WI area, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Green Bay

Enroll in the Right Green Bay Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the best pharmacy tech training is an important first step to starting your career in a gratifying occupation where helping people with their health is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". These days, most pharmacies can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is furnished by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist tech programs incorporate both classroom and laboratory training. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to enroll in a college that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This holds true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are sure to make the ideal choice. With the proper education and commitment you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Green Bay Wisconsin.

 

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