Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Greendale Wisconsin

Having made the decision to attain your pharmacy technician degree or certificate near Greendale WI, you may be wondering just how to select the ideal college to get your education and training. Naturally the initial step is to locate colleges that offer the diploma or degree that you are interested in. When looking for pharmacy technician programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are significant concerns when selecting a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation need to be taken into account as well. You might also want to research several accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will go over these qualifications and some others that you will need 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 courses.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

Pharmacy techs have various job duties, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the management of a licensed Greendale WI pharmacist. They must also have great customer service abilities because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription medications per the pharmacist's directions. And they need to have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they can help customers with understanding instructions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice pertaining to medications or anything else. Any such questions would be handled by the pharmacist. Some of the common daily functions a pharmacy technician might carry out are:

• Receive and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription medicines under pharmacist guidance
• Enter customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and control inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy techs 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 reward for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work off-hours is an extremely rewarding career helping customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees and Certificates

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are essentially two alternatives to becoming a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an approved Greendale WI pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually takes about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Choices

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician schools elect to become certified so as to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, a number of Greendale WI employers will only hire a technician 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 candidate be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by each program, which can be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Colleges Online

Prior to choosing a pharmacy technician online school, it's important to realize that most schools do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is typically fulfilled in an area Greendale pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to receive some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be taken online in your Greendale WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for many students, particularly for those who keep working while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online programs are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and course materials can be reduced significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is important for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that any 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 instruction might be the right solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

After you have decided whether you want to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are a large number of pharmacy tech schools to pick from in the Greendale WI area and throughout the USA, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Greendale residence. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are several other factors that you need to consider so that you may properly compare schools. The following questions will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Most pharmacist technician programs and trade schools have earned a national or regional 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 certified to furnish a comprehensive superior education. Online programs 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 certificate or degree program in addition to the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you obtain a superior education, it might help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And many Greendale WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but a number of employers desire that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacist tech program should ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This requirement can be met by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires a year of experience for certification, which can be fulfilled with an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with Greendale WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Give Job Placement Help? Finding that first job in Greendale WI upon graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a daunting task without some assistance. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of employer contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their Greendale WI residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to bear 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 have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacy tech college you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Greendale WI area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Greendale

Choose the Right Greendale Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the ideal pharmacy tech training is an important first step to starting your career in a gratifying occupation where helping people with their health is your objective. In the past, most pharmacist techs were taught "on the job". These days, most pharmacies can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacy technician colleges incorporate both clinical and classroom training. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to enroll in a college that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This holds true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other tips you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the right choice. With the proper training and determination you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Greendale Wisconsin.

 

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