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

It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Platteville WI in order to receive the proper training to build a career in the rewarding field of medicine. Usually the first step is to locate colleges that offer the degree or diploma that you would like to earn. When checking out pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are significant factors when deciding on a school, they are not the sole ones. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. You might also want to research a few accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will cover 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 technician does, the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online classes.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy techs have multiple job functions, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Platteville WI pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription medications per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they can help customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions would be handled by the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily functions a pharmacy technician may carry out are:

• Welcome and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription medications 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
• Re-supply 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 weekends and evenings is also very common, especially for newer techs with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or at times being required to work off-hours is an extremely satisfying career assisting customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Diplomas and Degrees

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are essentially two alternatives to becoming a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be completed in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also include an internship at an approved Platteville WI pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically requires about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more comprehensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program can furnish the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician programs elect to get certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, a number of Platteville WI employers 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 at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which can be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Colleges Online

Prior to selecting a pharmacy tech online program, it's necessary to realize that the majority of programs do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is commonly satisfied in an area Platteville pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to get some work place experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online in your Platteville WI home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for many students, notably for those who continue to work while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online programs are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and course materials may be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is critical for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online program you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online instruction might be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

After you have determined whether you wish to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school options. There are a large number of pharmacist technician colleges to select from in the Platteville WI area and throughout the United States, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for colleges that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Platteville home. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are many other issues that you need to take into consideration in order to effectively compare colleges. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Most pharmacist tech programs and trade schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations 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 obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance learning. Be sure to verify that the certificate or degree program together with the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Besides helping ensure that you obtain a quality education, it can help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Platteville WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but a number of employers prefer that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacy tech program needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This qualification can be met by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates one year of job experience for certification, which may be satisfied through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the programs have associations with Platteville WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial job in Platteville WI after graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a daunting task without some assistance. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs. If so, 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 creating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of employer relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they select will need to be within driving distance of their Platteville WI home. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering 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 final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacist technician program you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Platteville WI area, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Platteville

Enroll in the Right Platteville Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the best pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a rewarding profession where assisting people with their wellness is your purpose. Traditionally, many pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most employers can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is furnished by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacy technician schools include both laboratory and classroom work. As we have discussed in this article, it's necessary to select a school that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This holds true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other tips you will be able to compare programs so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the proper training and determination you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Platteville Wisconsin.

 

Platteville Pharmacy Technician Certificate | Platteville Pharmacy Technician Certificate Online