Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Oak Creek Wisconsin

It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near Oak Creek WI so you can get the proper training to build a career in the rewarding profession of medicine. Naturally the initial step is to locate colleges that offer the degree or diploma that you would like to earn. When checking out pharmacy technician schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are significant concerns when picking a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications including reputation and accreditation need to be taken into account also. And if you prefer studying in your home in front of your computer instead of in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online program will also be included in your vetting process. We will address 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 degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online courses.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below

Pharmacy Technician Job Description

Pharmacy techs have multiple job functions, but their primary responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must work under the management of a licensed Oak Creek WI pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service abilities since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they can assist customers with understanding directions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice pertaining to medications or anything else. All such questions should be addressed by the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily tasks a pharmacy technician might carry out are:

• Receive and help customers with medications and other questions
• Prepare prescription medications under pharmacist guidance
• Add customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and monitor and control inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also very common, particularly for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or at times being required to work off-hours is an extremely gratifying career assisting people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Diplomas and Degrees

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 alternatives to training to be 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 typically can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction 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 Oak Creek WI pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which normally involves about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program should furnish the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech schools opt to get certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Also, a number of Oak Creek WI pharmacies will only employ a technician that is certified. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which may be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Programs

Before deciding on a pharmacist tech online program, it's necessary to understand that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is usually fulfilled in a local Oak Creek pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy tech so as to receive some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be taken online in your Oak Creek WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for many students, notably for those who keep working while earning their certificate or degree. And online colleges are frequently less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and course materials can be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is important for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online school you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online classes may be the best solution for you.

Questions 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 begin to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacist tech programs to pick from in the Oak Creek WI area and throughout the USA, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Oak Creek residence. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are several other issues that you must take into consideration so that you may properly compare programs. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Most pharmacist tech programs 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 also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance learning. Make sure to check that the degree or certificate program in addition to the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Along with helping ensure that you obtain a superior education, it might help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And many Oak Creek WI employers 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 every state, but a number of pharmacies desire that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacy technician program needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This condition may be fulfilled by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of professional experience for certification, which can be fulfilled through an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain 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 prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the programs have a working relationship with Oak Creek WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Securing that first job in Oak Creek WI after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a challenging undertaking without any assistance. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of employer contacts where it can refer graduates.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they select will have to be within travelling 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 bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often 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.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the average 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 talk with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacy technician school you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Oak Creek WI area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Find Out More about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Oak Creek

Enroll in the Best Oak Creek Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the best pharmacy technician training is an important first step to starting your career in a rewarding occupation where helping customers with their health is your purpose. In the past, most pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most employers can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is furnished by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy technician colleges include both laboratory and classroom training. As we have covered in this article, it's important to select a college 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 follow our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are certain to make the best selection. With the appropriate training and determination you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Oak Creek Wisconsin.

 

Oak Creek How To Become A Pharmacy Tech | Oak Creek Pharmacy Tech Certificate