Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Kenosha Wisconsin

Having made the decision to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Kenosha WI, you may be thinking about how to pick the right college to get your education and training. Usually the initial step is to locate colleges that offer the certificate or degree that you are interested in. Many potential students start by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are important factors when selecting a school, they are not the only ones. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. And if you are interested in studying at home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online program will also be part of your vetting process. We will go over these qualifiers and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy technicians have various job responsibilities, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed Kenosha WI pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription medications per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they can assist customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no situation should they ever give medical advice relating to medications or anything else. Any such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. Several of the regular daily tasks a pharmacy technician might perform are:

• Welcome and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Prepare prescription medicines under pharmacist supervision
• Add customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor 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 techs with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work off-hours is an extremely fulfilling 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 trade school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also require an internship at an accepted Kenosha WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally requires about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more in depth education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program can provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician programs elect to get certified so as to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, a number of Kenosha WI employers will only employ a technician that is certified. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requires that the applicant 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 examination. Recertification is mandated every two years by each program, which may be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Classes

Before selecting a pharmacy tech online 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 typically satisfied in an area Kenosha pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy tech so as to receive some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken over the internet in your Kenosha WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for most students, particularly for those who continue to work while attaining their degree or certificate. And online colleges are sometimes more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials may be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online program you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online instruction may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

After you have decided whether you would like to obtain a degree or a certificate, 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 tech programs to select from in the Kenosha WI area and throughout the Country, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Kenosha residence. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are many other variables that you must consider in order to effectively compare programs. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Most pharmacy technician colleges and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance education. Don't forget to verify that the degree or certificate program in addition to the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. Along with helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it might help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Kenosha WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but many pharmacies prefer that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacist technician program needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of job experience. This qualification can be fulfilled by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates one year of job experience for certification, which can be satisfied through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the programs have a working relationship with Kenosha WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Assistance? Finding that first position in Kenosha WI after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a difficult task without any help. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of employer contacts where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Kenosha WI home. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry 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 decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacy technician college you finally pick can provide 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 Kenosha WI area, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Find Out More about Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Kenosha

Choose the Best Kenosha Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the ideal pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to beginning your career in a gratifying occupation where assisting customers with their wellness is your purpose. In the past, many pharmacist techs were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy tech programs include both classroom and laboratory training. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to choose a college that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This holds true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional tips you will be able to compare colleges so that you are sure to make the ideal choice. With the appropriate education and determination you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Kenosha Wisconsin.

 

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