Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Neenah Wisconsin

Having made the decision to attain your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Neenah WI, you might be wondering how to select the right school to receive your education and training. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing colleges so that you subsequently pick the right one? Many prospective students start by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are important factors when deciding on a school, they are not the only ones. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. You might also choose to research a few accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifiers and some others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy technicians have many job duties, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Neenah WI pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills since they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when preparing prescription medications per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they can assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. A few of the regular daily duties a pharmacy technician might perform are:

• Welcome and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription medications under pharmacist supervision
• Add prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and control inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, particularly for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work off-hours is an extremely rewarding career assisting people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees and Diplomas

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are basically two options to training to be a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be finished in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also require an internship at an approved Neenah WI pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which generally requires about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program can provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy tech programs choose to get certified so as to be more qualified in the job market. Also, a number of Neenah WI employers will only hire 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 professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every two years by both programs, which may be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Programs

Before selecting a pharmacy tech online training program, it's important to understand that most schools do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is usually fulfilled in an area Neenah pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working with an experienced pharmacy technician so as to receive some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed online in your Neenah WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for many students, particularly for those who continue to work while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online colleges are frequently less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and study materials can be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online program you are reviewing is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online instruction might be the best solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

Once you have determined whether you wish to attain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist tech programs to choose from in the Neenah WI area and throughout the United States, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Neenah home. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are several other variables that you should consider in order to effectively compare schools. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? The majority of pharmacist technician colleges and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to offer a complete superior education. Online colleges may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Don't forget to check that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it can assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Neenah WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but numerous pharmacies desire that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacy tech program should ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This qualification may be met by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of job experience for certification, which can be fulfilled with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with Neenah WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial job in Neenah WI after graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a challenging undertaking without some support. Ask if the schools you are considering have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Neenah WI home. Those who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the average student to teacher 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 speak with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy technician program you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Neenah WI area, make certain that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Neenah

Choose the Best Neenah Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the best pharmacy tech training is an important first step to starting your career in a rewarding profession where assisting people with their health is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacists can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated techs. Training is offered by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy technician colleges incorporate both laboratory and classroom work. As we have covered in this article, it's essential to enroll in a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This applies both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional suggestions you will be able to compare colleges so that you are certain to make the ideal selection. With the proper education and determination you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Neenah Wisconsin.

 

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