Pharmacy Tech School
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Pewaukee Wisconsin

Having made the decision to attain your pharmacy technician degree or certificate near Pewaukee WI, you may be pondering how to choose the ideal college to get your education and training. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating schools so that you subsequently enroll in the ideal one? When checking out pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While tuition and location are significant factors when deciding on a college, they are not the sole ones. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. And if you prefer studying at home by means of your computer instead of in a classroom, then finding an accredited online program will also be part of your vetting process. We will cover these qualifiers and some others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy technician does, the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Description

Pharmacy technicians have many job functions, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Pewaukee WI pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service skills because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may assist customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice concerning medications or anything else. Any such questions should be handled by the pharmacist. Several of the typical daily tasks a pharmacy tech might perform are:

• Welcome and help customers with medications and other questions
• Prepare prescription drugs under pharmacist supervision
• Enter customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and control inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, particularly for newer techs with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work after hours is a very fulfilling career helping customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Degree Programs

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally 2 options 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 finished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also include an internship at an accepted Pewaukee WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually takes about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program can furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech colleges choose to become certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, a number of Pewaukee WI pharmacies will only employ a tech that is certified. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requires 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 candidate has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every two years by both programs, which may be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Schools

Before selecting a pharmacy tech online college, it's important to understand that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is usually satisfied in a local Pewaukee pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to get some work place experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken online in your Pewaukee WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for many students, especially for those who continue to work while earning their degree or certificate. And online programs are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and course materials may be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online program 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 study with a less formal type of education, then online classes might be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

After you have decided whether you wish to earn a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school options. There are numerous pharmacy tech programs to choose from in the Pewaukee WI area and throughout the USA, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Pewaukee home. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are several other issues that you should consider in order to adequately compare programs. The questions below will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to provide a complete quality education. Online colleges may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Don't forget to check that the degree or certificate 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 receive a superior education, it might help in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Pewaukee WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but numerous pharmacies desire that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacy tech school needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of work experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates one year of professional experience for certification, which can be satisfied with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the programs have a working relationship with Pewaukee WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Getting that first position in Pewaukee WI after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a challenging undertaking without any support. Find out if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can refer graduates.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the college they select will need to be within driving distance of their Pewaukee 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 local internships will be of importance. One thing to consider is that if you decide 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 normally charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the rear of class 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 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 determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacy tech school you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Pewaukee WI area, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Pewaukee

Enroll in the Best Pewaukee Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the right pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a gratifying occupation where assisting people with their wellness is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of employers can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated technicians. Training is offered by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacy technician colleges incorporate both classroom and clinical 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 colleges so that you are sure to make the right choice. With the appropriate training and commitment you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Pewaukee Wisconsin.

 

Pewaukee Pharmacy Technician Schools | Pewaukee Pharmacy Technician Training