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

Now that you have decided to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Middleton WI, you may be pondering how to choose the ideal program to get your education and training. Usually the first step is to locate schools that offer the degree or diploma that you would like to earn. Many potential students begin by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are significant factors when picking a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into account as well. And if you prefer attending classes at home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online school will also be part of your vetting process. We will go over these qualifiers and some others that you will need to include when comparing 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 Duties

Pharmacy techs have multiple job duties, but their principal responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the management of a licensed Middleton WI pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities since they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they can assist customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice relating to medications or anything else. Any such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Several of the regular daily tasks a pharmacy technician may carry out are:

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

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, especially for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work after hours is an extremely gratifying career helping customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Certificates

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are basically 2 alternatives to becoming a technician 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 accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also require an internship at an accepted Middleton WI pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically involves about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more comprehensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should provide the necessary level 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 every state, but many graduates of pharmacy tech colleges elect to become certified so as to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, a number of Middleton WI employers will only employ a tech that has earned certification. There are two organizations that offer 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 only requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every 2 years by each program, which can be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Classes

Before choosing a pharmacy technician online school, it's important to realize that most schools do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is typically satisfied in a local Middleton pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working with an experienced pharmacy technician in order to get some work place experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training may be taken online in your Middleton WI home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for many students, particularly for those who keep working while earning their degree or certificate. And online programs are frequently less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and course materials may be reduced significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is critical for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm 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 dedicated enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online instruction might be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

After you have decided whether you want to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school options. There are a large number of pharmacist tech schools to pick from in the Middleton WI area and throughout the United States, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Middleton home. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are several other factors that you need to take into consideration in order to properly compare colleges. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Many pharmacy technician programs and trade schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to furnish a comprehensive superior education. Online colleges may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance education. Make sure to confirm that the degree or certificate program together with the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. Besides helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it may help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Middleton WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the College Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but a number of pharmacies desire that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacist technician college needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of work experience. This requirement may be satisfied by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires a year of experience for certification, which can be fulfilled by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Find out if the schools have associations with Middleton WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Finding that first job in Middleton WI upon graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some help. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of employer contacts where it can place graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they select will have to be within travelling distance of their Middleton WI residence. Those who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something 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 might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often 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 are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacist tech college you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Middleton WI area, make certain that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Middleton

Choose the Best Middleton Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the best pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to starting your career in a rewarding profession where assisting people with their wellness is your purpose. In the past, many pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". These days, most pharmacists can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated techs. Training is offered by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist tech colleges 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 ready you for certification. This holds true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you follow our other tips you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are sure to make the right selection. With the proper education and commitment you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Middleton Wisconsin.

 

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