Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Milwaukee Wisconsin

Now that you have decided to attain your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Milwaukee WI, you may be wondering just how to pick the best college to get your education and training. Usually the initial step is to locate schools that offer the diploma or degree that you are interested in. A number of potential students begin by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are critical factors when choosing a college, they are not the only ones. Qualifications including accreditation and reputation should be considered also. You may also decide to take a look at some accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. 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 take a look at the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online courses.

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Pharmacy Technician Degree Programs

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are basically two options to becoming a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also require an internship at an approved Milwaukee WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually takes about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program should provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech colleges opt to get certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, many Milwaukee WI pharmacies will only hire a technician 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 applicant be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every two years by both programs, which may be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Schools Online

Prior to selecting a pharmacy technician online college, it's necessary to realize that the majority of schools do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is typically satisfied in a local Milwaukee pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy technician so as to get some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken online in your Milwaukee WI home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for many students, especially for those who continue to work while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online programs are frequently less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and study materials may be reduced significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is important for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that each online program you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online training might be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

Once you have determined whether you would like to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are many pharmacist tech schools to choose from in the Milwaukee WI area and throughout the USA, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and vocational 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 Milwaukee residence. 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 must consider so that you may adequately compare schools. The following questions will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Most pharmacist technician colleges and trade 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 comprehensive quality education. Online schools may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Be sure to verify that the certificate or degree program in addition to the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you obtain a superior education, it can help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Milwaukee WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the College Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but a number of employers prefer that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacy tech school needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This qualification may be fulfilled by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires a year of job experience for certification, which can be fulfilled with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Ask if the colleges have associations with Milwaukee WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Help? Finding that initial position in Milwaukee WI after graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a difficult endeavor without some support. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Milwaukee WI home. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at 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 final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy technician college you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Milwaukee WI area, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Milwaukee

Enroll in the Right Milwaukee Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the ideal pharmacy tech training is an important first step to launching your career in a rewarding profession where helping customers with their wellness is your objective. In the past, many pharmacist techs were taught "on the job". These days, most employers can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is provided by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist technician programs include both clinical and classroom training. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to choose a program that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This applies both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional tips you will be able to compare programs so that you are certain to make the best selection. With the right education and commitment you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Milwaukee Wisconsin.

 

Milwaukee Pharmacy Technician Certificate | Milwaukee Pharmacy Technician Certificate Online