Pharmacy Tech School
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Mequon Wisconsin

Now it’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near Mequon WI so you can get the right training to build a career in the rewarding field of healthcare. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating colleges so that you subsequently pick the ideal one? A number of future students begin by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are important concerns when deciding on a school, they are not the only ones. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. And if you prefer attending classes at home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online college will also be part of your vetting process. We will go over these qualifications and some others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online classes.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below

Pharmacy Technician Degrees

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally 2 options to training to be 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 accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an accepted Mequon WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually requires about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should furnish the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy technician schools opt to become certified so as to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, many Mequon WI employers will only hire a tech that is certified. There are two organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the candidate be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by both programs, which can be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Schools

Prior to choosing a pharmacist technician online training program, it's important to understand that most schools do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is commonly fulfilled in a local Mequon pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy tech in order to obtain some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed over the internet in your Mequon WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for many students, especially for those who keep working while earning their degree or certificate. And online schools are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and study materials may be reduced significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that each online college you are considering is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online training may be the right solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

Once you have decided whether you would like to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are numerous pharmacist technician schools to pick from in the Mequon WI area and throughout the Country, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Mequon residence. If you are willing to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are several other factors that you must take into consideration so that you may properly compare schools. The questions below will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Many pharmacist tech colleges and trade schools have acquired 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 evaluated and certified to offer a comprehensive quality education. Online programs may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online learning. Don't forget to confirm that the degree or certificate program in addition to the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Along with helping guarantee that you obtain a quality education, it may help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Mequon 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 technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech school should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of work experience. This condition can be fulfilled by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of professional experience for certification, which may be met through an internship program. One of the best ways to get 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 a great way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the schools have a working relationship with Mequon WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Help? Getting that initial position in Mequon WI upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a difficult endeavor without some support. Ask if the schools you are researching have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a substantial network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they choose will have to be within driving distance of their Mequon WI home. Students who have decided to attend online classes 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 college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the typical teacher to student 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 an opportunity to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacy tech college you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Mequon WI area, make sure that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More about Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Mequon

Choose the Right Mequon Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the right pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to starting your career in a rewarding occupation where assisting people with their wellness is your mission. In the past, many pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacies can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is furnished by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy technician schools include both laboratory and classroom work. As we have addressed in this article, it's important to choose a program that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This is 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 schools so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the proper training and commitment you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Mequon Wisconsin.

 

Mequon Pharmacy Technician Certificate Online | Mequon Pharmacy Technician Programs