Pharmacy Tech School
How to Pick the Best One Near Marshfield Wisconsin

It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Marshfield WI in order to get the proper training to build a career in the rewarding profession of healthcare. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing colleges so that you subsequently pick the right one? When checking out pharmacy technician programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are significant concerns when deciding on a college, they are not the only ones. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. And if you prefer studying in your home in front of your computer rather than in a classroom, then finding an accredited online program will also be part of your vetting process. We will address these qualifications and some others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy techs have many job functions, but their primary responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Marshfield WI pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service abilities because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when preparing prescription medications per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they may help customers with understanding directions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice pertaining to prescriptions or anything else. All such questions should be addressed by the pharmacist. Several of the typical daily functions a pharmacy tech might perform are:

• Greet and help customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription medicines under pharmacist supervision
• Enter prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and monitor and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, especially for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work off-hours is a very rewarding career assisting people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Degree Programs

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally 2 options to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, 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 typically include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an accepted Marshfield WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually takes about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more expansive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program should provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

Certification is not required in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech colleges choose to get certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, many Marshfield WI employers will only employ 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 applicant be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has finished a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which can be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Schools

Before choosing a pharmacy technician online college, it's important to realize that most 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 through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to obtain some work place experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be taken online in your Marshfield WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for many students, notably for those who continue to work while attaining their certificate or degree. And online schools are often less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials may be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is important for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that each online program you are considering is accredited by a recognized 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 training might be the right option for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

After you have determined whether you want to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are many pharmacy tech colleges to select from in the Marshfield WI area and throughout the Country, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Marshfield residence. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be important. But there are many other variables that you need to consider 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 Tech College Accredited? Most pharmacist tech programs and trade schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to offer a comprehensive superior education. Online schools may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Be sure to verify that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Besides helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it can help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And a number of 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 mandated in all states, but a number of employers prefer that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacy technician college should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of work experience. This requirement may be satisfied by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates 1 year of professional experience for certification, which can be met with an internship program. One of the best ways to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Check if the schools have a working relationship with Marshfield WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Securing that initial position in Marshfield WI after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a difficult undertaking without any support. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they select will have to be within travelling distance of their Marshfield WI home. Individuals who have opted 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 importance. One thing to keep 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 might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacy technician college you finally choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Marshfield WI area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Marshfield

Enroll in the Best Marshfield Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the ideal pharmacy technician training is an important first step to beginning your career in a gratifying occupation where helping customers with their wellness is your purpose. In the past, many pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally trained techs. Training is furnished by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacy tech programs include both classroom and clinical work. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to enroll in a school that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This holds true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other suggestions you will be able to compare schools so that you are certain to make the best selection. With the appropriate training and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Marshfield Wisconsin.

 

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