Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Find the Best One Near Kaukauna Wisconsin

It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near Kaukauna WI so you can get the right training to build a career in the rewarding field of healthcare. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing schools so that you ultimately pick the ideal one? Many prospective students start by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are critical concerns when picking a school, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. And if you are interested in 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 address these qualifiers 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 classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy techs have multiple job duties, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the management of a licensed Kaukauna WI pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service skills since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they may assist customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no situation should they ever provide medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. All such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. A few of the common daily duties a pharmacy tech might carry out are:

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

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, especially for newer technicians with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work after hours is a very satisfying career assisting customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically two alternatives to becoming 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 provide an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an accepted Kaukauna 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 expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program can provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Choices

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy tech programs elect to become certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Kaukauna WI pharmacies will only employ a technician that is certified. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

• National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by each program, which may be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Schools Online

Before deciding on a pharmacy tech online school, it's important to understand that most programs do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is typically fulfilled in an area Kaukauna pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy tech in order to acquire some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be taken over the internet in your Kaukauna WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for most students, notably for those who keep working while earning their certificate or degree. And online colleges are often more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and course materials may be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online college you are looking at 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 formal type of education, then online classes may be the best solution for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges

After you have determined whether you want to attain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy technician programs to choose from in the Kaukauna WI area and throughout the Country, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare 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 Kaukauna residence. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are many other issues that you must consider in order to effectively compare programs. The questions below will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacist tech programs and trade schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. One of 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 offer a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Be sure to verify that the certificate or degree program together with the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. In addition to helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it might assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Kaukauna 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 mandated in every state, but a number of pharmacies desire that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacist technician program should prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This requirement can be met by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of experience for certification, which may be met through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Find out if the programs have a working relationship with Kaukauna WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Securing that first position in Kaukauna WI upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a difficult endeavor without some assistance. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job placement programs. If so, 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 field creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Kaukauna WI residence. Students who have chosen to attend classes online naturally 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 keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly 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 likes to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician college you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Kaukauna WI area, check that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Kaukauna

Enroll in the Right Kaukauna Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the ideal pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to launching your career in a gratifying profession where helping people with their health is your objective. Traditionally, many pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". These days, most pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacist tech programs include both laboratory and classroom training. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to enroll in a program that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the best selection. With the right education and determination you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Kaukauna Wisconsin.

 

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