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

Having made the decision to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Milwaukee WI, you may be wondering just how to select the ideal college to receive your education and training. Usually the first step is to locate schools that offer the certificate or degree that you would like to earn. When checking out pharmacy technician schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are significant factors when deciding on 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 location and cost. And if you prefer attending classes in your home in front of your computer instead of in a classroom, then finding an accredited online school will also be included in your vetting process. We will cover these qualifiers and others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Duties

Pharmacy techs have multiple job duties, but their principal responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Milwaukee WI pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills because they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they can help customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice regarding prescriptions or anything else. All such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. A few of the regular daily tasks a pharmacy technician may carry out are:

• Greet and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription drugs under pharmacist direction
• Input customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and monitor and manage inventory

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, particularly for newer technicians with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work after hours is a very rewarding career helping people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially 2 options to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. Numerous 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 2 years of studies. Although not required 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 should provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech programs opt to become certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Also, many Milwaukee WI pharmacies will only employ a technician 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 candidate 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 candidate has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every 2 years by both programs, which may be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Programs

Before choosing a pharmacy technician online training program, it's necessary to realize that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is usually satisfied in an area Milwaukee pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under an experienced pharmacy tech in order to acquire some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed online in your Milwaukee WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for many students, particularly for those who keep working while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online schools are sometimes less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials can be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online college you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online training might be the ideal solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

Once you have decided whether you would like to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are many pharmacy technician programs to pick from in the Milwaukee WI area and throughout the USA, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably initially look for colleges that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Milwaukee residence. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are several other factors that you should consider so that you may effectively compare colleges. The questions below will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? The majority of pharmacist technician programs and trade 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 screened and certified to offer a complete superior education. Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance education. Make sure to verify that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Besides helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it might help in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the training program 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 required in every state, but many employers desire that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech school needs to ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This requirement may be met by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires one year of professional experience for certification, which can be satisfied through an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with Milwaukee WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Help? Getting that first position in Milwaukee WI upon graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a daunting endeavor without some help. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job placement 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 field generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they pick will need to be within travelling distance of their Milwaukee WI home. Those who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to talk 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 verify that the pharmacy technician college you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Milwaukee 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 carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More about How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Milwaukee

Enroll in the Right Milwaukee Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the right pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to beginning your career in a gratifying profession where assisting customers with their health is your objective. Traditionally, most pharmacist techs were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated technicians. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist tech schools include both classroom and clinical work. As we have discussed in this article, it's necessary to enroll in a college that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This applies both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you follow our other tips you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the ideal selection. With the right education and commitment you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Milwaukee Wisconsin.

 

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