Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Find the Right One Near Menasha Wisconsin

Now that you have decided to attain your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Menasha WI, you may be thinking about how to choose the ideal college to receive your education and training. But just how do you undertake comparing and evaluating colleges so that you ultimately enroll in the right one? A number of potential students begin by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While cost and location are critical factors when deciding on a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers including reputation and accreditation need to be evaluated also. You may also want to look into a few accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifiers and some others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at what a pharmacy technician does, the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online courses.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy techs have many job duties, but their principal responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Menasha WI pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription medications per the pharmacist's directions. And they need to have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they can assist customers with understanding directions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no situation should they ever provide medical advice regarding medications or anything else. All such questions would be handled by the pharmacist. Several of the typical daily tasks a pharmacy tech might perform are:

• Welcome and help customers with medications and other questions
• Prepare prescription medicines under pharmacist guidance
• Enter customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and manage inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also very common, especially 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 satisfying career helping people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Diplomas and Degrees

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally two alternatives to becoming a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs offer an overview to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an approved Menasha WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically takes about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more comprehensive 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 Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy technician programs elect to become certified in order to be more qualified in the job market. Also, a number of Menasha WI pharmacies will only employ a technician that has earned certification. There are two organizations that provide certification:

• National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

The NHA requires that the applicant be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate 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 Colleges Online

Prior to deciding on a pharmacist tech online school, it's important to realize that most schools do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is commonly fulfilled in a local Menasha pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under an experienced pharmacy tech so as to obtain some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken over the internet in your Menasha WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for most students, particularly for those who keep working while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online colleges are often more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and course materials can be reduced significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is important for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online school you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for instance 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 right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges

After you have decided whether you wish to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacy technician schools to select from in the Menasha WI area and throughout the United States, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Menasha residence. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other variables that you need to consider in order to effectively compare colleges. The questions below will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Most pharmacy technician colleges and trade schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a comprehensive quality education. Online programs may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance education. Make sure to verify that the certificate or degree program together with the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping make sure that you get a superior education, it can help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Menasha 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 all states, but many employers prefer that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacy tech college should prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This qualification may be fulfilled by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires one year of job experience for certification, which may be fulfilled by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the colleges have associations with Menasha WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Help? Getting that first job in Menasha WI after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a daunting task without any support. Ask if the schools you are considering have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a substantial network of employer contacts where it can place graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the school they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Menasha WI residence. Those who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the pharmacy technician school you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Menasha WI area, make sure that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Menasha

Enroll in the Best Menasha Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the ideal pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a rewarding profession where helping customers with their wellness is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacists 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. Most pharmacy tech schools include both classroom and laboratory work. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary to enroll in a college 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 follow our additional tips you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are certain to make the best selection. With the proper education and commitment you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Menasha Wisconsin.

 

Menasha Pharmacy Tech Certificate | Menasha Pharmacy Technician Schools