Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Milwaukee Wisconsin
Having decided to attain your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Milwaukee WI, you may be pondering how to select the right program to get your education and training. Usually the first step is to locate colleges that offer the degree or diploma that you are interested in. When looking for pharmacy technician programs, many potential students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are critical factors when choosing a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation must be considered as well. You might also decide to take a look at a few accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will address 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 advantages of online programs.
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Pharmacy Technician Job Responsibilities
Pharmacy techs have various job functions, but their primary responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed Milwaukee WI pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills since they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's directions. And they need to have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they can help customers with understanding directions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. A few of the common daily functions a pharmacy tech might carry out are:
- Greet and help customers with medications and other questions
- Prepare prescription drugs under pharmacist guidance
- Input prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
- Phone customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
- Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
- Re-supply shelves and audit and manage inventory
Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, especially for newer techs with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or at times being required to work off-hours is a very fulfilling career assisting customers with their health and wellness.
Pharmacy Tech Diplomas and Degrees
Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 options to becoming a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which usually can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Milwaukee WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually takes about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can furnish the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.
Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available
Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech colleges choose to become certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, many Milwaukee WI employers will only hire a tech that is certified. There are 2 organizations that provide 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 work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every two years by both programs, which can be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Tech Programs Online
Prior to choosing a pharmacist tech online school, it's important to understand 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 an area Milwaukee pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy technician so as to acquire some work place experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken over the internet in your Milwaukee WI home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for most students, particularly for those who keep working while attaining their certificate or degree. And online programs are often less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and costs for commuting and study materials may be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that each online program you are reviewing 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.
What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs
After you have decided whether you wish to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school options. There are a large number of pharmacist technician schools to select from in the Milwaukee WI area and throughout the United States, 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 schools that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Milwaukee home. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other variables that you should consider so that you may properly compare programs. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.
Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Most pharmacist tech colleges and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to offer 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. Don't forget to confirm that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it can assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Milwaukee WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but many employers prefer that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech program should prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of job experience. This condition may be satisfied by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates one year of professional experience for certification, which may be satisfied with an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Ask if the programs have a working relationship with Milwaukee WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Give Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial job in Milwaukee WI after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a challenging task without some help. Ask if the schools you are researching have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can place graduating students.
Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will have to be within driving distance of their Milwaukee WI residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern 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 decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally 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.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacy tech program you finally pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Milwaukee WI area, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family obligations.
Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Milwaukee
Enroll in the Best Milwaukee Pharmacy Tech Program
Receiving the ideal pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to starting your career in a rewarding profession where assisting customers with their wellness is your purpose. In the past, most pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". These days, most employers can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy tech colleges incorporate both classroom and clinical training. As we have addressed in this article, it's important to enroll in a college that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are sure to make the ideal choice. With the right education and determination you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Milwaukee Wisconsin.
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