Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Marshfield Wisconsin

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near Marshfield WI in order to receive the right training to begin a career in the rewarding field of healthcare. But just how do you approach comparing and evaluating schools so that you ultimately enroll in the ideal one? When looking for pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are significant factors when picking a school, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. You may also choose to research a few accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifiers and some others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

Pharmacy techs have numerous job duties, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the management of a licensed Marshfield WI pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills since they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they may assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice concerning medications or anything else. All such questions would be handled by the pharmacist. Some of the common daily duties a pharmacy tech may carry out are:

• Greet and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription medicines under pharmacist supervision
• Add prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and control inventory

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, particularly for newer techs with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work off-hours is a very fulfilling career helping customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Diplomas and Degrees

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically two options to training to be a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an approved Marshfield WI pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally requires about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more extensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program should provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech programs choose to become certified so as to be more competitive when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Marshfield WI pharmacies will only hire 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 at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every two years by both programs, which can be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Colleges

Prior to choosing a pharmacist technician online program, it's important to realize that the majority of programs do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is commonly satisfied in an area Marshfield pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to obtain some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed online in your Marshfield WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for many students, especially for those who continue to work while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online programs are often more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and study materials may be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is critical for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online college you are considering is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online classes may be the ideal solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

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 a large number of pharmacy technician schools to choose from in the Marshfield WI area and throughout the Country, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably initially look for colleges that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Marshfield home. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be critical. But there are many other factors that you need to take into consideration so that you may adequately compare schools. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? The majority of pharmacist tech programs and trade schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to furnish a complete superior education. Online colleges may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online learning. Don't forget to check that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping make sure that you obtain a superior education, it can assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Marshfield WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but many pharmacies prefer that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacy tech college should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This condition may be fulfilled by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates a year of professional experience for certification, which can be satisfied through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the programs have associations with Marshfield WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Help? Getting that first position in Marshfield WI upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a difficult task without some assistance. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession 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 School Located? For many students, the college they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their Marshfield WI home. Students who have chosen to attend classes online 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 decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller 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 classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacist technician program you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Marshfield WI area, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Marshfield

Enroll in the Right Marshfield Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the ideal pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to launching your career in a gratifying profession where assisting people with their wellness is your mission. Traditionally, many pharmacist techs were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of employers can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated techs. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacist tech programs incorporate both classroom and laboratory work. As we have covered in this article, it's essential to select a program that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This holds true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you follow our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are certain to make the right choice. With the right training and dedication you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Marshfield Wisconsin.

 

Marshfield Pharmacy Technician Certificate | Marshfield Pharmacy Technician Certificate Online