Pharmacy Tech School
How to Find the Right One Near Milwaukee Wisconsin

It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near Milwaukee WI so you can get the right training to begin a career in the rewarding profession of medicine. Naturally the first step is to locate colleges that offer the diploma or degree that you would like to earn. A number of prospective students begin by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are important concerns when choosing a school, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications including reputation and accreditation must be taken into account as well. And if you are interested in attending classes in your home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online program will also be included in your vetting process. We will address these qualifiers and some others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Certificates and Degrees

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally two options to becoming a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted Milwaukee WI pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which typically requires about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more expansive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program should furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

Certification is not required in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech colleges elect to get certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, many Milwaukee WI employers will only employ a technician that is certified. There are 2 organizations that offer 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 at least one year of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every 2 years by both programs, which can be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Schools

Prior to choosing a pharmacy tech online college, it's important to understand that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is typically fulfilled in a local Milwaukee pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to obtain some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be taken online in your Milwaukee WI home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for most students, particularly for those who continue to work while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online schools are frequently less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and costs for driving and course materials may be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online program you are reviewing is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online training may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

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 attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist tech schools to select 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 technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably initially look for colleges that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Milwaukee home. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are many other variables that you must take into consideration so that you may effectively compare schools. The questions below will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Many pharmacy tech programs and trade schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to offer a comprehensive quality education. Online schools may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance education. Make sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. In addition to helping ensure that you get a superior education, it may help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Milwaukee WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the Program Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but numerous employers desire that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacy tech school should ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of professional experience. This requirement can be satisfied by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates one year of professional experience for certification, which may be satisfied by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the schools have a working relationship with Milwaukee WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Securing that first job in Milwaukee WI upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a daunting task without any help. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of pharmacy contacts where it can place 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 residence. Those who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacist tech program you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Milwaukee WI area, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours 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 Tech in Milwaukee

Choose the Best Milwaukee Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the best pharmacy tech training is an important first step to launching your career in a fulfilling profession where assisting people with their health is your objective. In the past, most pharmacist techs were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most employers can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated technicians. Training is furnished by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist tech schools incorporate both classroom and laboratory work. As we have covered in this article, it's necessary to enroll in a college 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 suggestions you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are sure to make the best selection. With the appropriate training and dedication you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Milwaukee Wisconsin.

 

Milwaukee Pharmacy Technician Programs | Milwaukee Pharmacy Technician Classes