Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Select the Right One Near La Crosse Wisconsin

Now that you have made the decision to attain your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near La Crosse WI, you may be pondering how to select the right program to receive your education and training. But just how do you approach comparing and evaluating colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the best one? Many potential students begin by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost 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 just as important if not more so as location and cost. And if you prefer studying at home in front of your computer instead of in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online college will also be part of your vetting process. We will cover these qualifiers and some others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy technician does, the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online programs.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Duties

Pharmacy technicians have various job functions, but their principal responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the supervision of a licensed La Crosse WI pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when preparing prescription medications per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they can assist customers with understanding directions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. A few of the typical daily tasks a pharmacy technician might perform are:

• Welcome and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription medications under pharmacist direction
• Enter prescription and customer 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 audit and control inventory

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, especially for newer technicians with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes being required to work after hours is a very fulfilling career helping customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Training Programs

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically two options to training to be a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be finished in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted La Crosse WI pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which typically involves about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program should furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician schools elect to become certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Also, a number of La Crosse WI employers will only hire a technician that is certified. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the candidate be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by both programs, which can be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Schools Online

Before selecting a pharmacy tech online program, it's necessary to realize that most programs do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is commonly satisfied in an area La Crosse pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to obtain some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed over the internet in your La Crosse WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for many students, particularly for those who continue to work while earning their degree or certificate. And online schools are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and costs for driving and course materials may be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is important for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that any online school you are considering 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 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 would like to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are many pharmacy technician colleges to select from in the La Crosse 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 programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your La Crosse home. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be critical. But there are several other variables that you need to take into consideration so that you may effectively compare colleges. The following questions will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Many pharmacy tech programs and trade schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to provide a complete quality education. Online schools may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Make sure to confirm that the degree or certificate program as well as the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping guarantee that you get a quality education, it can help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of La Crosse 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 required in all states, but many employers desire that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacist tech college needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of professional experience. This condition may be fulfilled by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of professional experience for certification, which may be satisfied by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the colleges have associations with La Crosse WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Give Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial position in La Crosse WI after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a challenging endeavor without any support. Find out if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their La Crosse WI residence. Individuals who have chosen 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 importance. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the pharmacy tech program you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the La Crosse WI area, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Find Out More about How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in La Crosse

Choose the Best La Crosse Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the best pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to launching your career in a fulfilling occupation where assisting people with their health is your mission. In the past, many pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacies can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is offered by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist tech schools include both classroom and clinical work. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to enroll in a college that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our other tips you will be able to compare schools so that you are sure to make the right choice. With the appropriate training and determination you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in La Crosse Wisconsin.

 

La Crosse Pharmacy Tech Schools Online | La Crosse Pharmacy Technician Certificate