Pharmacy Tech School
How to Pick the Right One Near Neenah Wisconsin
Having made the decision to attain your pharmacy technician degree or certificate near Neenah WI, you might be thinking about just how to select the best program to receive your education and training. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing schools so that you subsequently pick the right one? When checking out pharmacy technician schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While tuition and location are significant factors when deciding on a college, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. And if you are interested in attending classes at home in front of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online program will also be included in your vetting process. We will go over these qualifications and some others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online classes.
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Pharmacy Tech Training Programs
Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally two alternatives 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 offer an introduction to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an accepted Neenah WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally involves about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program can provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.
Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available
It is not required to earn certification in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy technician colleges opt to become certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, many Neenah WI pharmacies will only hire a technician that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that offer certification:
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
The NHA requirements are that the candidate be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, 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 exam. Recertification is called for every 2 years by both programs, which may be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Tech Online Colleges
Before deciding on a pharmacy technician online college, it's necessary to realize that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is usually satisfied in an area Neenah pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy technician so as to receive some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed online in your Neenah WI home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for many students, notably for those who continue to work while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online schools are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials can be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that each online program you are considering is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online training may be the ideal choice for you.
Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools
Once you have determined whether you want to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy technician programs to pick from in the Neenah WI area and throughout the United States, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably initially look for programs that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Neenah residence. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be important. But there are several other issues that you need to consider in order to adequately compare schools. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.
Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Many pharmacy tech colleges and vocational schools have earned a national or regional 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 verified to provide a complete superior education. Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Make sure to verify that the degree or certificate program in addition to the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it can help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Neenah WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the College Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but many employers prefer that the techs they employ 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 may be fulfilled by entering a school sponsored internship program.
Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates a year of professional experience for certification, which can be met with an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train 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 meet the requirement. Find out if the schools have associations with Neenah WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Give Job Placement Assistance? Securing that first position in Neenah WI upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a difficult undertaking without some assistance. Ask if the colleges you are researching 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 school has an excellent reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduating students.
Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their Neenah WI home. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online naturally 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 bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacy technician college you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Neenah WI area, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Neenah
Enroll in the Right Neenah Pharmacy Tech Program
Finding the best pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to beginning your career in a rewarding profession where helping customers with their wellness is your objective. In the past, many pharmacist techs were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is offered by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy tech programs include both clinical and classroom work. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to select a school that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This applies both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our other tips you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are certain to make the best selection. With the proper training and determination you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Neenah Wisconsin.
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