Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Pick the Best One Near La Crosse Wisconsin
It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near La Crosse WI so you can get the right training to begin a career in the rewarding profession of medicine. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating schools so that you ultimately enroll in the best one? When checking out pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are significant factors when choosing a school, they are not the only ones. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. You might also want to look into several accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifiers and some others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online classes.
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Pharmacy Technician Certificates and Degrees
Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally two alternatives to training to be a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which usually can be completed in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted La Crosse WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which normally requires about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more comprehensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program can provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.
Pharmacy Technician Certification Choices
It is not required to earn certification in all states, 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 pharmacies 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 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 a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by both programs, which may be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Technician Online Programs
Prior to choosing a pharmacy technician online program, it's important to understand that most schools do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is usually satisfied in a local La Crosse pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to acquire some work place experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken online in your La Crosse 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 certificate or degree. And online programs are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and costs for commuting 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 critical for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online program you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online classes may be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools
After you have determined whether you would like to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacist tech schools to select from in the La Crosse WI area and throughout the Country, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your La Crosse home. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are many other factors that you should consider in order to effectively compare schools. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Many pharmacy technician programs and trade schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to offer a complete superior education. Online programs may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Don't forget to verify that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. In addition to helping guarantee that you get a quality education, it may assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible 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 graduated from an accredited program.
Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but many employers prefer that the techs they hire 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 also need one year of professional experience. This requirement can be satisfied by participating in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates 1 year of experience for certification, which can be met with an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with La Crosse WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Getting that initial position in La Crosse WI upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a difficult endeavor without some help. Find out if the schools you are considering have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduates.
Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they pick will have to be within travelling distance of their La Crosse WI home. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even 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 commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit way in the rear 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 reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program also.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacist tech program you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the La Crosse WI area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More about How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in La Crosse
Enroll in the Right La Crosse Pharmacy Tech Program
Finding the best pharmacy technician training is an important first step to starting your career in a gratifying profession where assisting customers with their wellness is your mission. In the past, many pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most employers can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated techs. Training is offered by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist technician colleges include both clinical and classroom training. As we have covered in this article, it's necessary to choose a college that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This applies both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other tips you will be able to compare schools so that you are sure to make the best selection. With the right training and dedication you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in La Crosse Wisconsin.
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