Pharmacy Tech College
How to Select the Right One Near Greendale Wisconsin
It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Greendale WI so you can get the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding profession of healthcare. Naturally the initial step is to find colleges that offer the diploma or degree that you would like to earn. A number of future students start by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are significant concerns when choosing a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation should be evaluated also. And if you prefer studying in your home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online program will also be included in your vetting process. We will address these qualifications and others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online programs.
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Pharmacy Tech Degrees
Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally 2 alternatives to training to be a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade 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 different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an approved Greendale WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which typically takes about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can furnish the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.
Pharmacy Technician Certification Options
It is not required to earn certification in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy tech colleges opt to get certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, a number of Greendale WI pharmacies will only hire a tech that is certified. There are two 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 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 both programs, which can be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Tech Classes Online
Prior to deciding on a pharmacy technician online program, it's important to realize that the majority of schools do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is typically fulfilled in an area Greendale pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy technician so as to acquire some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken over the internet in your Greendale WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for many students, especially for those who continue to work while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online programs are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and course materials can be decreased substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online college 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 learn with a less supervised form of education, then online classes may be the best solution for you.
Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs
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 narrow your school options. There are a large number of pharmacist technician programs to pick from in the Greendale WI area and throughout the United States, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably initially look for schools that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Greendale home. 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 issues that you need to consider in order to effectively compare programs. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final choice.
Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacy technician colleges and vocational schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to furnish a complete superior education. Online schools may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance education. Be sure to check that the certificate or degree program in addition to the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Along with helping make sure that you receive a superior education, it can help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Greendale WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but many employers prefer that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacist tech program needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of job experience. This requirement can be satisfied by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires 1 year of experience for certification, which can be met with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Find out if the colleges have associations with Greendale WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Provide Job Placement Help? Securing that initial job in Greendale WI after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a difficult undertaking without some support. Ask if the schools you are looking at have job placement 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 generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduating students.
Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they select will have to be within travelling distance of their Greendale WI home. Those who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern 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 college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often 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 kind of student that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on 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 pharmacist technician program as well.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacist tech program you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Greendale WI area, verify that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Greendale
Choose the Best Greendale Pharmacy Tech School
Finding the ideal pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a gratifying profession where assisting customers with their wellness is your objective. In the past, many pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer operate this way 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. The majority of pharmacy technician colleges incorporate both classroom and clinical training. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to choose a program that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This applies both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the right choice. With the proper training and dedication you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Greendale Wisconsin.
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