Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Find the Best One Near La Crosse Wisconsin
Having made the decision to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near La Crosse WI, you might be thinking about how to choose the right program to receive your education and training. But just how do you approach comparing and evaluating colleges 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 closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are critical concerns when deciding on a school, 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 are interested in attending classes 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 address these qualifiers and others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online programs.
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Pharmacy Technician Degrees
Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally 2 options to training to be a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include classroom and lab training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted La Crosse WI pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically involves about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more in depth education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.
Pharmacy Technician Certification Options
Certification is not required in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech colleges elect to become certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, many La Crosse WI employers 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 requires that the candidate be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has finished 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 exam. Recertification is called for every two years by both programs, which can be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Tech Classes Online
Prior to deciding on a pharmacy tech online program, it's important to understand that most programs do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is usually satisfied in an area La Crosse pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working with an experienced pharmacy technician in order to get some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be taken over the internet in your La Crosse WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for many students, especially for those who continue to work while earning their certificate or degree. And online colleges are often less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and study materials can be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online college you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online classes may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges
After you have decided whether you want to earn a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are many pharmacy technician colleges to pick from in the La Crosse WI area and throughout the United States, 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 probably first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your La Crosse residence. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other variables that you should take into consideration so that you may effectively compare programs. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.
Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Many pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to furnish a complete quality education. Online colleges may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online learning. Be sure to check that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Along with helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it may assist in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And many La Crosse WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the College Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but many employers desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacy technician program should prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This qualification can be satisfied by participating in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires one year of job experience for certification, which can be satisfied with an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Check if the programs have associations with La Crosse WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Securing that first job in La Crosse WI after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a challenging undertaking without some help. Find out if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can place graduates.
Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the college they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their La Crosse WI home. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacist technician school you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the La Crosse WI area, make sure that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.
Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in La Crosse
Choose the Best La Crosse Pharmacy Tech Program
Receiving the ideal pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a rewarding profession where helping people with their health is your mission. Traditionally, many pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacies can no longer operate this way 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. Most pharmacist tech schools include both classroom and laboratory training. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to choose a program that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This holds true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you follow our other suggestions you will be able to compare programs so that you are sure to make the right selection. With the appropriate training and dedication you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy tech in La Crosse Wisconsin.
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