Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Select the Right One Near Muskego Wisconsin

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near Muskego WI so you can get the proper training to build a career in the rewarding field of medicine. Naturally the first step is to find colleges that offer the degree or diploma that you are interested in. Many prospective students begin by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While cost and location are significant concerns when picking a college, they are not the sole ones. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. You might also want to take a look at some accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will go over these qualifications and others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

Pharmacy techs have various job responsibilities, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed Muskego WI pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription medications per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can help customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice pertaining to medications or anything else. Any such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. A few of the typical daily tasks a pharmacy tech may carry out are:

• Receive and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Prepare prescription medicines under pharmacist supervision
• Add customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and control inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, particularly for newer techs with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work after hours is a very satisfying career helping people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Certificates and Degrees

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are basically 2 alternatives to training to be a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs offer an overview to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an approved Muskego WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which normally takes about 2 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 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 all states, but many graduates of pharmacy tech programs opt to become certified so as to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Muskego WI pharmacies will only employ 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 candidate be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by both programs, which may be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Schools

Before selecting a pharmacy technician online school, it's necessary to realize that most schools do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is typically fulfilled in an area Muskego pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to acquire some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed online in your Muskego WI home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for most students, particularly for those who continue to work while earning their degree or certificate. And online colleges are sometimes more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials may be reduced significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is critical for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online school you are considering is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less supervised form of education, then online instruction may be the best solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

After you have decided whether you wish to earn a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy technician programs to choose from in the Muskego WI area and throughout the Country, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Muskego home. If you are able to relocate 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 in order to adequately compare programs. The questions below will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Most pharmacist technician colleges and vocational schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to offer a comprehensive superior education. Online schools may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance education. Be sure to check that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Besides helping make sure that you obtain a superior education, it might assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Muskego WI employers 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 all states, but a number of employers prefer that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacy technician program should prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of professional experience. This qualification can be met by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires one year of job experience for certification, which may be satisfied with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician 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 an excellent way to meet the requirement. Ask if the colleges have associations with Muskego WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Give Job Placement Help? Securing that first position in Muskego WI upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a difficult endeavor without any help. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they pick will have to be within travelling distance of their Muskego WI residence. Students 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 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 need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are researching 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 determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy technician college you finally choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Muskego WI area, verify that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Muskego

Choose the Best Muskego Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the best pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a gratifying profession where helping people with their health is your purpose. In the past, most pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacists can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is furnished by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist tech programs incorporate both classroom and clinical work. As we have addressed in this article, it's important to enroll in a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This holds true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you follow our other tips you will be able to compare programs so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the appropriate education and determination you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Muskego Wisconsin.

 

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