Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Find the Right One Near Oak Creek Wisconsin

Having decided to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Oak Creek WI, you might be pondering just how to select the right school to get your education and training. Naturally the first step is to locate schools that offer the degree or certificate that you would like to earn. A number of prospective students start by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are critical factors when deciding on a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation should be taken into account also. And if you are interested in studying 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 qualifications and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, 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 Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy technicians have numerous job duties, but their principal responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must work under the supervision of a licensed Oak Creek WI pharmacist. They must also have great customer service abilities since they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription medications per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can help customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no situation should they ever provide medical advice pertaining to medications or anything else. All such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily services a pharmacy tech may carry out are:

• Receive and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Dispense prescription medicines under pharmacist guidance
• Enter customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and monitor and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also very common, particularly for newer techs with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work after hours is an extremely fulfilling career assisting customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically two options to becoming a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which usually can be finished in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an accepted Oak Creek WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually requires about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more comprehensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program should furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

Certification is not required in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy tech schools choose to get certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, many Oak Creek WI pharmacies will only hire a tech 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 applicant be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which may be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Classes

Before selecting a pharmacy technician online program, it's important to understand that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is usually fulfilled in an area Oak Creek pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to get some work place experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed over the internet in your Oak Creek WI home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for most students, particularly for those who keep working while attaining their degree or certificate. And online colleges are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and course materials may be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that any online college you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online instruction might be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

After you have decided whether you want to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy tech schools to select from in the Oak Creek WI area and throughout the Country, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Oak Creek residence. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are many other variables that you must take into consideration so that you may adequately compare colleges. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacist technician colleges and vocational schools have earned a national or regional 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 certified to provide a complete quality education. Online colleges may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance learning. Make sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program in addition to the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. In addition to helping guarantee that you get a quality education, it can assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Oak Creek WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but numerous employers prefer that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacy technician college needs to ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This condition can be satisfied by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires one year of job experience for certification, which may be satisfied by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to get practical 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. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with Oak Creek WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Give Job Placement Assistance? Securing that first job in Oak Creek WI after graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a daunting task without any support. Ask if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Oak Creek WI home. Individuals who have decided 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 concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacist tech college 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 evening or weekend classes in the Oak Creek WI area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Oak Creek

Choose the Right Oak Creek Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the ideal pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a gratifying occupation where helping people with their health is your objective. In the past, many pharmacist techs were taught "on the job". These days, most pharmacists can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is furnished by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacy tech colleges include both clinical and classroom training. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary to select a school that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This applies both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are certain to make the right selection. With the appropriate education and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Oak Creek Wisconsin.

 

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