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

Having decided to attain your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Green Bay WI, you might be wondering just how to select the best school to get your education and training. Usually the first step is to locate schools that offer the certificate or degree that you would like to earn. When checking out pharmacy technician programs, many potential students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are critical factors when deciding on a school, they are not the sole ones. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. And if you prefer studying in your home by means of your computer instead of in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online college will also be included in your vetting process. We will go over these qualifiers and some 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 classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy techs have many job functions, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Green Bay WI pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they may help customers with understanding directions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice relating to prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions would be handled by the pharmacist. A few of the typical daily tasks a pharmacy tech might carry out are:

• Greet and help customers with medications and other questions
• Dispense prescription medicines under pharmacist supervision
• Input prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit 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 techs with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work off-hours is an extremely satisfying career assisting people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Diplomas and Degrees

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 alternatives to training to be a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be finished in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Green Bay WI pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually takes about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program should provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy technician schools elect to get certified so as to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, a number of Green Bay WI employers will only hire a technician that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that provide 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 at least one year of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every 2 years by both programs, which can be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Programs Online

Before selecting a pharmacist tech online school, it's necessary to realize that the majority of programs do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is usually satisfied in a local Green Bay pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to receive some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed over the internet in your Green Bay WI home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for many students, notably for those who continue to work while earning their degree or certificate. And online programs are often less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and course materials may be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online program you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online training may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

Once you have determined whether you wish to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school options. There are many pharmacist tech schools to select from in the Green Bay WI area and throughout the Country, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting 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 several other factors that you must consider in order to adequately compare colleges. The questions below will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Most pharmacist technician colleges and trade schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies 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 schools may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance education. Don't forget to verify that the certificate or degree program together with the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Along with helping ensure that you obtain a superior education, it may help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not offered 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 earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but numerous employers desire that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacy tech school needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This qualification can be satisfied by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires one year of job experience for certification, which can be met with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech 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 a great way to fulfill the requirement. Find out if the colleges 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 initial position in Green Bay WI upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a challenging endeavor without some assistance. Ask if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Green Bay WI residence. Students who have chosen to attend online classes naturally 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 consider is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacist tech college you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Green Bay WI area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Green Bay

Choose the Right Green Bay Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the right pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to launching your career in a fulfilling occupation where helping people with their wellness is your purpose. In the past, most pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". These days, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated techs. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy tech schools include both clinical and classroom training. As we have discussed in this article, it's necessary to enroll in a program 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 compare programs so that you are sure to make the right selection. With the appropriate training and determination you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Green Bay Wisconsin.

 

Green Bay Pharmacy Technician Programs | Green Bay Pharmacy Technician Classes