Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Find the Best One Near Neenah Wisconsin

Now that you have decided to attain your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near Neenah WI, you might be pondering how to pick the right program to receive your education and training. Usually the initial step is to find schools that offer the degree or diploma that you are interested in. A number of prospective students begin by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are important factors when selecting a school, they are not the sole ones. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. And if you are interested in attending classes at home by means of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then finding an accredited online college will also be part of your vetting process. We will address these qualifiers and some others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Duties

Pharmacy technicians have multiple job duties, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Neenah WI pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may help customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice regarding medications or anything else. Any such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Several of the regular daily services a pharmacy technician may perform are:

• Greet and help customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription medicines under pharmacist direction
• Input customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and control inventory

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, especially for newer technicians with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work after hours is an extremely satisfying career assisting people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally 2 options to becoming a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an approved Neenah WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which generally requires about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more in depth education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program can furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available

Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician colleges elect to get certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, a number of Neenah WI employers will only employ a technician that has earned certification. There are two organizations that provide certification:

• National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

The NHA requires 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 work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every 2 years by both programs, which may be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Schools

Prior to deciding on a pharmacy technician online college, 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 commonly fulfilled in a local Neenah pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy tech so as to acquire some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed over the internet in your Neenah WI home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for most students, particularly for those who keep working while earning their certificate or degree. And online programs are often less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and course materials may be decreased substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is essential for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that any online program you are reviewing is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online classes may be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

After you have decided 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 alternatives. There are many pharmacy technician schools to select from in the Neenah WI area and throughout the USA, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Neenah home. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other variables that you must consider so that you may adequately compare colleges. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? The majority of pharmacy tech programs and vocational schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to offer a complete superior education. Online schools may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance learning. Make sure to check that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Besides helping guarantee that you obtain a quality education, it might assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Neenah WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program 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 pharmacist technician program needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This qualification can be met by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires a year of experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. One of the best ways to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Find out if the colleges have a working relationship with Neenah WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Help? Getting that initial position in Neenah WI upon graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a difficult endeavor without some assistance. Ask if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs. If so, 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 creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of employer contacts where it can refer graduates.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they choose will need to be within commuting distance of their Neenah WI home. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes 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 consider is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical 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 speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the pharmacy tech school you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Neenah WI area, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Neenah

Enroll in the Best Neenah Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the ideal pharmacy tech training is an important first step to starting your career in a fulfilling profession where assisting people with their wellness is your mission. Traditionally, many 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 educated techs. Training is furnished by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist technician colleges include both laboratory and classroom training. As we have discussed in this article, it's necessary to choose a program that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you follow our other tips you will be able to compare colleges so that you are certain to make the right selection. With the right education and dedication you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Neenah Wisconsin.

 

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