Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Find the Right One Near Madison Wisconsin

Now that you have made the decision to attain your pharmacy technician degree or certificate near Madison WI, you might be thinking about how to select the right college to get your education and training. Of course the first step is to locate colleges that offer the degree or diploma that you would like to earn. Many potential students begin by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are critical factors when deciding on a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation should be considered as well. And if you are interested in attending classes at home by means of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online program will also be part of your vetting process. We will address these qualifications and 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 benefits of online courses.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below

Pharmacy Tech Certificates and Degrees

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 options to becoming 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 facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted Madison WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which normally takes about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician colleges choose to get certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, 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 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 just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every 2 years by both programs, which can be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Programs

Before choosing a pharmacist technician online college, it's important to understand that most schools do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is commonly fulfilled in an area Madison pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy technician 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 alternative is more convenient for most students, particularly for those who continue to work while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online programs are frequently less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and course materials may be reduced significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is critical for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that any online school you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less supervised form of education, then online training might be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

After you have decided whether you would like to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school options. There are many pharmacy tech schools to pick from in the Madison WI area and throughout the United States, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Madison residence. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are a number of other issues that you must consider so that you may adequately compare schools. The following questions will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Most pharmacist technician colleges and trade schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to offer a complete quality education. Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance learning. Make sure to verify that the degree or certificate program as well as the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Besides helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it may help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And many 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 mandated in every state, but a number of pharmacies prefer that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacist technician school should prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of job experience. This condition may be met by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates a 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 prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Check if the schools have a working relationship with Madison WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Finding that first job in Madison WI upon graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a difficult undertaking without any assistance. Find out if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they choose will need to be within driving distance of their Madison WI residence. Those who have chosen 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 importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacist tech school you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Madison WI area, make certain that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Madison

Enroll in the Best Madison Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the best pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to starting your career in a rewarding occupation where assisting customers with their wellness is your objective. In the past, most pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". These days, most employers can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated techs. Training is furnished by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacy tech colleges include both clinical and classroom training. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to enroll in a college that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This applies both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional suggestions you will be able to compare colleges so that you are sure to make the ideal choice. With the proper training and dedication you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Madison Wisconsin.

 

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