Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Choose the Best One Near Madison Wisconsin

Having decided to attain your pharmacy technician degree or certificate near Madison WI, you might be pondering how to select the ideal program to receive your education and training. Usually the first step is to find schools that offer the certificate or degree that you would like to earn. When checking out pharmacy technician programs, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While tuition and location are important factors when deciding on a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation should be taken into account as well. You might also decide to research a few accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will go over these qualifications and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy techs have various job responsibilities, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed Madison WI pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may help customers with understanding instructions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice relating to medications or anything else. Any such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. Some of the regular daily tasks a pharmacy tech might perform are:

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

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, particularly for newer technicians with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes being required to work after hours is an extremely gratifying career assisting customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Degree Programs

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially 2 alternatives to becoming a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be finished in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an accepted Madison WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which generally requires about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more extensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program should provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Choices

Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician colleges elect to become certified so as to be more competitive when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Madison WI employers will only hire a technician that is certified. 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 finished a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is required every two years by each program, which may be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Classes

Before deciding on a pharmacy technician online school, it's important to realize that the majority of schools do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is commonly fulfilled in an area Madison pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under an experienced pharmacy tech in order to get some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be taken over the internet in your Madison WI home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for most students, especially for those who keep working while earning their certificate or degree. And online programs are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and course materials may be reduced significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is critical for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm 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 structured form of education, then online training may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

After you have decided whether you would like to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are many pharmacy tech schools to choose from in the Madison WI area and throughout the USA, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for schools that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Madison home. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are several other issues that you should take into consideration so that you may properly compare colleges. The questions below will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Most pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to furnish a complete superior education. Online colleges may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online learning. Don't forget to confirm that the degree or certificate program as well as the college 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 might help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often 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 College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but many employers desire that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacy technician college should ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates a year of professional experience for certification, which may be fulfilled through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the programs have a working relationship with Madison WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Assistance? Finding that first job in Madison WI after graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a difficult endeavor without any assistance. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the field creating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduating students.

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 classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to keep in mind 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 normally 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 Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller 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 prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacy tech college you ultimately select can furnish 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 enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Madison

Enroll in the Best Madison Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the right pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a gratifying profession where helping people with their wellness is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated technicians. Training is furnished by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist technician schools incorporate both clinical and classroom training. As we have discussed in this article, it's necessary to enroll in a college that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This holds true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other suggestions you will be able to compare programs so that you are certain to make the ideal choice. With the right training and determination you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Madison Wisconsin.

 

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