Pharmacy Tech School
How to Pick the Best One Near New Berlin Wisconsin

It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near New Berlin WI in order to get the proper training to build a career in the rewarding field of medicine. Of course the initial step is to locate colleges that offer the certificate or degree that you are interested in. When checking out pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are significant concerns when deciding on a school, they are not the sole ones. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. You might also choose to look into a few accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will go over these qualifications and some others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Description

Pharmacy techs have many job functions, but their primary responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed New Berlin WI pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities since 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 need to have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they can help customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions should be handled by the pharmacist. Some of the common daily tasks a pharmacy technician may perform are:

• Greet and help customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription medications under pharmacist direction
• Add prescription and customer data 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 manage inventory

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, especially for newer techs with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally having to work after hours is a very rewarding career helping people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Diplomas

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are essentially two alternatives to becoming a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be completed in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an approved New Berlin WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which normally requires about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more expansive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program should furnish the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy technician programs choose to become certified in order to be more qualified in the job market. Also, many New Berlin WI employers will only employ a tech that is certified. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requires that the applicant be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of professional 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 met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Schools Online

Before choosing a pharmacy technician online college, it's important to realize that the majority of programs do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is usually satisfied in a local New Berlin pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to obtain some work place experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed over the internet in your New Berlin WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for most students, notably for those who continue to work while attaining their certificate or degree. And online colleges are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and course materials can be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that each online college 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 learn with a less formal type of education, then online training might be the best solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

After you have determined whether you wish to earn a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacist technician programs to select from in the New Berlin WI area and throughout the USA, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably initially look for schools that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your New Berlin home. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be important. But there are many other variables that you must take into consideration so that you may properly compare schools. The questions below will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Many pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have obtained 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 comprehensive quality education. Online schools may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Be sure to confirm that the degree or certificate program in addition to the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. In addition to helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it may help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many New Berlin WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but numerous employers desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacy technician program should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of job experience. This condition can be met by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires a year of job experience for certification, which may be satisfied by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Find out if the colleges have a working relationship with New Berlin WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Help? Getting that first position in New Berlin WI upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a daunting undertaking without any assistance. Ask if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their New Berlin WI home. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area 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 perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way 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 personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician program you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the New Berlin WI area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in New Berlin

Choose the Right New Berlin Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the right pharmacy technician training is an important first step to starting your career in a fulfilling profession where assisting customers with their health is your objective. Traditionally, most pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacies can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is offered by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist technician programs include both clinical and classroom training. As we have covered in this article, it's essential to enroll in a school that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This holds true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the right training and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in New Berlin Wisconsin.

 

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