Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Oconomowoc Wisconsin
It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near Oconomowoc WI so you can receive the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding field of healthcare. Usually the initial step is to locate colleges that offer the degree or diploma that you would like to earn. A number of prospective students begin by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are significant concerns when deciding on a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers including reputation and accreditation need to be considered as well. You may also want to take a look at several accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will go over these qualifications and some others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online courses.
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Pharmacy Technician Job Description
Pharmacy technicians have multiple job functions, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Oconomowoc WI pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription medications per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they can help customers with understanding instructions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice regarding medications or anything else. Any such questions should be handled by the pharmacist. A few of the common daily functions a pharmacy tech may carry out are:
- Welcome and assist customers with medications and other questions
- Dispense prescription drugs under pharmacist direction
- Enter prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
- Contact customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
- Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
- Stock shelves and monitor and control inventory
As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, particularly for newer techs 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 helping people with their health and well-being.
Pharmacy Tech Degrees and Diplomas
Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally two options to training to be a tech whether 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 present an introduction to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also require an internship at an approved Oconomowoc WI pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which normally requires about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more comprehensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program should provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.
Pharmacy Technician Certification Options
Certification is not required in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy tech schools opt to get certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, many Oconomowoc WI employers will only employ a technician that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
The NHA requirements are that the applicant be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has finished a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is required every two years by each program, which can be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Tech Classes Online
Prior to selecting a pharmacy technician online program, it's necessary to understand that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is commonly satisfied in an area Oconomowoc pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to obtain some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed online in your Oconomowoc WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for most students, particularly for those who continue to work while attaining their degree or certificate. And online colleges are sometimes more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and costs for commuting and study materials can be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online college you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online training might be the ideal solution for you.
Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools
Once you have determined whether you want to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist tech colleges to pick from in the Oconomowoc WI area and throughout the Country, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably initially look for schools that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Oconomowoc home. 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 need to take into consideration so that you may adequately compare programs. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.
Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Most pharmacy tech colleges and trade schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to furnish a complete quality education. Online programs may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Make sure to confirm that the degree or certificate program together with the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Besides helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it can assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Oconomowoc 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 every state, but many pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacy technician college needs to ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This qualification may be satisfied by participating in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates one year of experience for certification, which may be satisfied with an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the schools have a working relationship with Oconomowoc WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first position in Oconomowoc WI upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a challenging undertaking without any assistance. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can place graduating students.
Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they choose will have to be within driving distance of their Oconomowoc WI residence. Students who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student 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. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician school you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Oconomowoc WI area, verify that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Oconomowoc
Choose the Right Oconomowoc Pharmacy Tech School
Receiving the right pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to launching your career in a gratifying occupation where helping customers with their wellness is your mission. Traditionally, most pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". These days, most employers can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally trained techs. Training is offered by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist tech schools incorporate both laboratory and classroom training. As we have addressed in this article, it's important to enroll in a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This is true both for online classes as well as 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 right selection. With the proper education and dedication you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Oconomowoc Wisconsin.
Oconomowoc Pharmacy Tech Schools | Oconomowoc How To Become A Pharmacy Tech