Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Select the Right One Near Greenfield Wisconsin

Having decided to attain your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Greenfield WI, you might be thinking about just how to select the best college to receive your education and training. Usually the initial step is to locate schools that offer the certificate or degree that you would like to earn. When looking for pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are critical factors when selecting a college, they are not the sole ones. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. And if you prefer studying in your home in front of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online college will also be included in your vetting process. We will address these qualifications and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online courses.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

Pharmacy techs have numerous job functions, but their primary responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the supervision of a licensed Greenfield WI pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service skills since they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they can assist customers with understanding instructions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice relating to prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the common daily functions a pharmacy tech might carry out are:

• Receive and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Prepare prescription drugs under pharmacist supervision
• Enter prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and control inventory

Due to the nature of their job, 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 at times having to work off-hours is an extremely fulfilling career assisting people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Certificates

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally two options to becoming a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an accepted Greenfield WI pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally takes about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program can furnish the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy tech schools elect to get certified so as to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, many Greenfield WI employers will only employ a technician 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 candidate be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by each program, which can be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Colleges

Prior to choosing a pharmacy technician online training program, it's necessary to understand that the majority of programs do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is commonly satisfied in a local Greenfield pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy tech in order to get some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed over the internet in your Greenfield WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for most students, notably for those who keep working while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online colleges are sometimes more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and study materials may be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check 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 dedicated enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online training might be the right solution for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

After you have determined whether you wish to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist technician colleges to select from in the Greenfield WI area and throughout the United States, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Greenfield residence. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are several other issues that you need to consider so that you may effectively compare colleges. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Many pharmacy tech programs and vocational schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to provide a complete superior education. Online programs may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance learning. Make sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Besides helping make sure that you get a quality education, it might help in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Greenfield WI employers 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 all states, but many employers prefer that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacy tech college should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This requirement can be satisfied by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of professional experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire 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 in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with Greenfield WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Give Job Placement Help? Finding that first job in Greenfield WI after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a challenging undertaking without some support. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they decide on will have to be within commuting distance of their Greenfield WI home. Students who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for 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 class or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the typical 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 determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacist technician program you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Greenfield WI area, verify that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Greenfield

Choose the Right Greenfield Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the best pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to launching your career in a rewarding occupation where assisting customers with their health is your purpose. Traditionally, many pharmacist techs were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated techs. Training is offered by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy tech colleges include both clinical and classroom work. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to choose a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This applies both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional tips you will be able to compare programs so that you are sure to make the best selection. With the right education and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Greenfield Wisconsin.

 

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