Pharmacy Tech School
How to Choose the Right One Near Marshfield Wisconsin
Having made the decision to earn your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Marshfield WI, you may be thinking about how to choose the best college to receive your education and training. Of course the initial step is to find schools that offer the certificate or degree that you would like to earn. When looking for pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are critical concerns when choosing a school, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. And if you are interested in attending classes in your home by means of your computer instead of in a classroom, then finding an accredited online program will also be part of your vetting process. We will go over these qualifiers and some others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online courses.
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Pharmacy Technician Training Programs
Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally two options to becoming a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be finished in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an approved Marshfield WI pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually takes about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more comprehensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program can provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.
Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices
It is not required to earn certification in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician schools elect to become certified so as to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, a number of Marshfield WI employers will only employ a tech that is certified. 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, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is required every 2 years by both programs, which can be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Tech Online Programs
Prior to deciding on a pharmacy tech online college, it's necessary to understand that most schools do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is usually fulfilled in an area Marshfield pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy tech in order to acquire some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken over the internet 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 attaining their certificate or degree. And online schools are frequently more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials may be reduced 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 securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online college you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online classes might be the best option for you.
What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools
After you have determined whether you want to obtain 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 numerous pharmacy tech programs to select from in the Marshfield WI area and throughout the Country, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for programs that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Marshfield home. If you are willing 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 variables that you must take into consideration in order to properly compare programs. The following questions will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.
Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Many pharmacy tech colleges and trade schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to provide a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Don't forget to verify that the degree or certificate program in addition to the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. In addition to helping guarantee that you obtain a quality education, it might assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Marshfield WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but numerous employers prefer that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacy tech program should prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of professional experience. This requirement may be satisfied by participating in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires a year of professional experience for certification, which can be satisfied with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the programs have associations with Marshfield WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Give Job Placement Help? Securing that first position in Marshfield WI after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a difficult task without any assistance. Ask if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial 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 driving distance of their Marshfield WI home. Students who have decided to attend classes online obviously 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 consider is that if you choose to enroll in a college 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 frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program also.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacist tech program you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Marshfield WI area, make sure 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 need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family obligations.
Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Marshfield
Enroll in the Right Marshfield Pharmacy Tech Program
Receiving the ideal pharmacy technician training is an important first step to starting your career in a gratifying profession where assisting people with their wellness is your mission. Traditionally, most pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacist tech schools incorporate both classroom and laboratory training. As we have covered in this article, it's important to choose a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This applies both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional suggestions you will be able to compare programs so that you are certain to make the ideal selection. With the proper training and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Marshfield Wisconsin.
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