Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Select the Best One Near Marshfield Wisconsin

Having made the decision to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Marshfield WI, you might be thinking about how to select the right program to get your education and training. Of course the first step is to find colleges that offer the degree or certificate that you are interested in. Many future students start by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are important factors when deciding on a school, they are not the sole ones. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are equally 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 as opposed to in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online college will also be part of your vetting process. We will cover these qualifications and some others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy technician does, the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Duties

Pharmacy techs have many job duties, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Marshfield WI pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may assist customers with understanding instructions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice pertaining to medications or anything else. All such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. Some of the regular daily functions a pharmacy technician may perform are:

• Receive and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Fill prescription drugs under pharmacist direction
• Enter prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Call 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 profession, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, particularly for newer technicians with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work after hours is an extremely rewarding career helping people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees and Certificates

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are basically 2 alternatives to training to be a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted Marshfield WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually takes about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more expansive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should furnish the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Choices

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy tech programs elect to become certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, many Marshfield WI employers will only employ a tech that has earned certification. There are two organizations that provide 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 completed a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every 2 years by both programs, which can be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Programs Online

Prior to selecting a pharmacy technician online college, it's necessary to understand that the majority of schools do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is commonly fulfilled in a local Marshfield pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working with an experienced pharmacy tech so as to receive some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be taken online in your Marshfield WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for most students, notably for those who keep working while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online programs are often more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for driving and course materials can be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online school you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less supervised form of education, then online training may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

After you have determined whether you would like to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are numerous pharmacist technician programs to pick from in the Marshfield WI area and throughout the United States, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Marshfield home. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are a number of other variables that you must consider in order to properly compare programs. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? The majority of pharmacist technician colleges and vocational schools have obtained 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 screened and verified to provide a complete quality education. Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online learning. Be sure to verify 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. Along with helping make sure that you obtain a superior education, it may help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the program of training 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 College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but numerous pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacist tech program needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of job experience. This requirement can be satisfied by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires 1 year of professional experience for certification, which can be satisfied with an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work 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 satisfy the requirement. Check if the colleges have a working relationship with Marshfield WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Getting that first position in Marshfield WI upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a daunting endeavor without any support. Find out if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Marshfield WI home. Individuals who have chosen 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 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 have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the rear 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 considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician school you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Marshfield WI area, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check 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 because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More about Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Marshfield

Enroll in the Right Marshfield Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the ideal pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to starting your career in a fulfilling occupation where helping people with their wellness is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacy techs were trained "on the job". These days, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated technicians. Training is provided by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy technician colleges incorporate both classroom and clinical training. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary to enroll in a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This holds true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are sure to make the right choice. With the appropriate education and commitment you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Marshfield Wisconsin.

 

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