Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Janesville Wisconsin

Now it’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near Janesville WI so you can receive the proper training to build a career in the rewarding field of medicine. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing colleges so that you ultimately enroll in the ideal one? A number of future students start by looking for schools that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While cost and location are important factors when deciding on a college, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers including accreditation and reputation should be evaluated also. And if you prefer studying in your home by means of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online school will also be part of your vetting process. We will cover 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 benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Diplomas and Degrees

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally two options to training to be a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also require an internship at an accepted Janesville WI pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which generally involves about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more comprehensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program can furnish the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech colleges choose to get certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, a number of Janesville WI employers will only hire a technician that has earned certification. 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, be a high school graduate, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every two years by both programs, which may be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Classes Online

Prior to selecting a pharmacy technician online program, it's necessary to realize that the majority of programs do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is usually fulfilled in an area Janesville pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to get some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be taken over the internet in your Janesville WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for most students, particularly for those who keep working while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online programs are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials can be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that any online program you are considering is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online training may be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

Once you have decided whether you would like to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are many pharmacy technician schools to select from in the Janesville WI area and throughout the Country, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Janesville home. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other variables that you need to consider in order to adequately compare programs. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? The majority of pharmacist tech colleges and trade schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to furnish a comprehensive superior education. Online colleges may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance learning. Don't forget to check that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. In addition to helping make sure that you receive a superior education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Janesville WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but many employers prefer that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacy technician program needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of professional experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires one year of professional experience for certification, which can be satisfied with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Find out if the programs have associations with Janesville WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Securing that first job in Janesville WI upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a difficult task without any help. Find out 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 indication that the school has a good reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their Janesville WI residence. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy tech college you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Janesville WI area, make sure that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Janesville

Choose the Right Janesville Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the ideal pharmacy technician training is an important first step to beginning your career in a gratifying profession where helping people with their wellness is your purpose. In the past, many pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacists can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is provided by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacy tech colleges include both classroom and clinical 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 is true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you follow our other tips you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the appropriate education and dedication you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Janesville Wisconsin.

 

Janesville Pharmacy Technician Programs | Janesville Pharmacy Technician Classes