Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Find the Right One Near Pewaukee Wisconsin

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near Pewaukee WI so you can get the right training to begin a career in the rewarding profession of medicine. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing schools so that you ultimately pick the ideal one? A number of future students start by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are important concerns when picking a college, they are not the only ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into account also. And if you prefer attending classes in your home in front of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online program will also be part of your vetting process. We will address these qualifiers and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy techs have various job duties, but their principal responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Pewaukee WI pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities since they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's directions. And they need to have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they may help customers with understanding directions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. All such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. Several of the typical daily services a pharmacy technician may carry out are:

• Receive and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Fill prescription drugs under pharmacist guidance
• Add customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and control inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, especially for newer technicians with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work after hours is a very gratifying career assisting customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Certificates

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are basically two alternatives to becoming a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which usually can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also include an internship at an accepted Pewaukee WI pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which typically 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 furnish the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech schools choose to become certified so as to be more qualified in the job market. Also, many Pewaukee WI employers will only employ a tech 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 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by each program, which may be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Classes Online

Before choosing a pharmacy tech online school, it's important to realize that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is typically satisfied in a local Pewaukee pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy tech so as to get some work place experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be taken online in your Pewaukee WI home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for many students, particularly for those who continue to work while earning their certificate or degree. And online colleges are sometimes more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials can be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online program you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online classes might be the best solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

After you have determined whether you want to attain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist tech colleges to choose from in the Pewaukee WI area and throughout the United States, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Pewaukee 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 many other issues that you need to take into consideration so that you may effectively compare colleges. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacy tech programs and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to furnish a complete superior education. Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online learning. Be sure to check that the degree or certificate program in addition to the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you obtain a quality education, it can assist in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Pewaukee WI pharmacies 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 prefer that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacist tech college needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of professional experience. This condition may be met by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires one year of job experience for certification, which can be fulfilled by means of 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 technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Find out if the colleges have a working relationship with Pewaukee WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial position in Pewaukee WI after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a difficult undertaking without some help. Ask if the colleges you are researching have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of employer contacts where it can refer graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their Pewaukee WI home. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. 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 may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently 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 likes to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching 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 talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacy tech program you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Pewaukee WI area, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out 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 may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Pewaukee

Enroll in the Best Pewaukee Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the right pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a rewarding profession where helping customers with their wellness is your purpose. In the past, most pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is offered by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacy tech programs incorporate both classroom and laboratory work. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary 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 follow our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are certain to make the right selection. With the appropriate training and determination you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Pewaukee Wisconsin.

 

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