Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Find the Best One Near Middleton Wisconsin

Now it’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Middleton WI so you can receive the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding field of medicine. Of course the initial step is to locate schools that offer the degree or certificate that you are interested in. When looking for pharmacy technician programs, many potential students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are important concerns when choosing a college, they are not the only 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 studying in your 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 qualifiers and some others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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

Pharmacy Tech Job Duties

Pharmacy technicians have multiple job responsibilities, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must work under the supervision of a licensed Middleton WI pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service abilities because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription drugs 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 in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever provide medical advice regarding medications or anything else. Any such questions should be handled by the pharmacist. A few of the typical daily duties a pharmacy technician may carry out are:

• Greet and help customers with medications and other questions
• Dispense prescription drugs under pharmacist guidance
• Input prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, especially for newer techs with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work after hours is an extremely satisfying career helping people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Training Programs

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally 2 alternatives to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be completed in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an approved Middleton 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 in depth education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program can provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy technician colleges opt to get certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, many Middleton WI employers will only hire a technician that has earned certification. There are 2 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 at least one year of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every two years by each program, which can be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Classes

Before selecting a pharmacist tech online program, it's necessary to understand that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is commonly fulfilled in a local Middleton pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy tech so as to acquire some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken over the internet in your Middleton WI home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for most students, notably for those who keep working while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online colleges are often more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for driving and course materials may be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is essential for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm 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 learn with a less structured form of education, then online instruction might be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

Once you have decided whether you would like to attain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacy technician schools to pick from in the Middleton WI area and throughout the Country, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Middleton residence. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are several other variables that you must take into consideration so that you may properly compare colleges. The following questions will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Most pharmacy tech programs and trade schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to provide a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Be sure to check that the certificate or degree program in addition to the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it can assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Middleton WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the Program Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but a number of employers prefer that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacist technician college needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of professional experience. This condition can be met by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires one year of professional experience for certification, which may be satisfied with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Check if the programs have associations with Middleton WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Finding that first position in Middleton WI upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some support. Find out if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs. If so, find out 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 demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can place graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they choose will need to be within driving distance of their Middleton WI home. Students who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. 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 converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician program you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Middleton 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 carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Middleton

Choose the Best Middleton Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the best pharmacy technician training is an important first step to starting your career in a fulfilling profession where assisting people with their health is your purpose. In the past, many pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". These days, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated techs. Training is furnished by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy tech colleges incorporate both laboratory and classroom work. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary to enroll in a school that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are certain to make the right choice. With the proper training and dedication you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Middleton Wisconsin.

 

Middleton Pharmacy Tech Schools Online | Middleton Pharmacy Technician Certificate