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

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Kenosha WI so you can get the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding profession of medicine. But just how do you undertake comparing and evaluating colleges so that you subsequently pick the best one? Many prospective students start by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are significant concerns when deciding on a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation must be considered also. And if you prefer attending classes in your home in front of your computer instead of in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online program will also be included in your vetting process. We will go over these qualifiers and some others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online programs.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below

Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy techs have numerous job functions, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the management of a licensed Kenosha WI pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service skills because 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 in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may help customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever give medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. Several of the common daily duties a pharmacy technician may perform are:

• Greet and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Dispense prescription medicines under pharmacist guidance
• Add prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and manage inventory

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, especially for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally having to work after hours is an extremely satisfying career helping customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Diplomas and Degrees

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 alternatives to becoming a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which usually can be finished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also include an internship at an accepted Kenosha WI pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which generally takes about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more extensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program should provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy technician colleges choose to get certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Additionally, many Kenosha WI pharmacies will only employ 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, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by each program, which can be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Classes Online

Prior to selecting a pharmacy tech online school, it's necessary to understand that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is commonly satisfied in a local Kenosha pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to obtain some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online in your Kenosha WI home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for many students, notably for those who continue to work while attaining their certificate or degree. And online schools are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and course materials can be decreased substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online program you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online training might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

After you have decided whether you wish to attain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist technician programs to choose from in the Kenosha WI area and throughout the USA, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Kenosha home. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be critical. But there are many other variables that you must consider in order to effectively compare schools. The questions below will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Most pharmacist tech colleges and vocational schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to offer a complete superior education. Online schools may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Be sure to check that the degree or certificate program as well as the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Along with helping make sure that you obtain a quality education, it might assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And many Kenosha WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but numerous pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacy tech college needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of work experience. This condition can be met by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates one year of job experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. One of the best ways to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the programs have associations with Kenosha WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Help? Getting that initial position in Kenosha WI upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a challenging undertaking without some assistance. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of employer contacts where it can place graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Kenosha WI residence. Students who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble 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 be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within 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 likely prefer a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering 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 a chance to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacist technician school you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Kenosha WI area, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

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

Enroll in the Best Kenosha Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the ideal pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to launching your career in a fulfilling occupation where helping people with their health is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". These days, most pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally trained techs. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy technician schools incorporate both classroom and clinical training. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to choose a school that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This holds true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional tips you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are certain to make the right selection. With the proper training and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Kenosha Wisconsin.

 

Kenosha Pharmacy Technician Programs | Kenosha Pharmacy Technician Classes