Pharmacy Tech School
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Madison Wisconsin

Now it’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Madison WI so you can receive the right training to begin a career in the rewarding field of medicine. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the ideal one? When checking out pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are critical factors when deciding on a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifications including accreditation and reputation must be evaluated as well. You might also want to research several accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifications 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 diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Certificates and Degrees

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally 2 options to becoming a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which usually can be completed in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an approved Madison WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative 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 down the road. Either program should provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy tech schools choose to become certified in order to be more qualified in the job market. Also, many Madison WI pharmacies will only hire a technician that has earned certification. There are 2 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, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which may be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Classes Online

Prior to choosing a pharmacist tech online college, it's necessary to understand that most schools do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is commonly satisfied in a local Madison pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to acquire some work place experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be taken online in your Madison WI home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for many students, particularly for those who continue to work while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online schools are frequently more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and costs for driving and course materials can be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is essential for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online college you are reviewing is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, for instance 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 best choice for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

Once you have decided whether you would like to attain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school options. There are numerous pharmacy technician colleges to select from in the Madison WI area and throughout the Country, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably initially look for schools that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Madison residence. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are several other factors that you need to consider so that you may effectively compare schools. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Most pharmacist tech colleges 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). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to furnish a complete quality education. Online colleges may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance 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. In addition to helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it may help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Madison WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the Program Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but a number of pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacy tech program needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This requirement can be satisfied by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates one year of job experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work 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 meet the requirement. Find out if the colleges have associations with Madison WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first job in Madison WI upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a challenging undertaking without some support. Find out if the schools you are researching have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of employer relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their Madison WI home. Those who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering 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 ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacy technician college you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Madison WI area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Madison

Choose the Right Madison Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the best pharmacy tech training is an important first step to starting your career in a fulfilling profession where assisting customers with their health is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most employers can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is offered by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist technician programs incorporate both classroom and laboratory work. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to enroll in a school that is accredited and will prepare 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 evaluate schools so that you are certain to make the best selection. With the right training and commitment you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Madison Wisconsin.

 

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