Pharmacy Tech College
How to Enroll In the Best One Near Platteville Wisconsin

Having made the decision to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Platteville WI, you may be wondering just how to choose the ideal program to receive your education and training. Of course the initial step is to find schools that offer the certificate or degree that you would like to earn. When looking for pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are critical concerns when selecting a college, 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. And if you prefer studying in your home in front of your computer instead of in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online college will also be part of your vetting process. We will address these qualifications and some others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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

Pharmacy Tech Degrees and Diplomas

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are essentially 2 options to training to be a technician 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 accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted Platteville WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which normally requires about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program should provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Options

Certification is not required in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy technician schools elect to get certified in order to be more qualified in the job market. Additionally, a number of Platteville WI employers will only employ a tech that has earned certification. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requires that the applicant be 18 years or older, 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 applicant has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is required every 2 years by both programs, which can be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Schools Online

Before choosing a pharmacy tech online training program, it's necessary to realize that most schools do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is typically satisfied in an area Platteville pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy tech so as to obtain some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be taken online in your Platteville WI home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for many students, notably for those who keep working while earning their certificate or degree. And online programs are sometimes less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and course materials may be decreased substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is important for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online school you are considering is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less supervised form of education, then online instruction might be the right solution for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

Once you have determined whether you wish to earn a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are a large number of pharmacy tech schools to select from in the Platteville WI area and throughout the USA, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for programs that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Platteville residence. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are many other issues that you need to consider in order to properly compare colleges. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Many pharmacy technician colleges and trade schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to offer a complete superior education. Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Be sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. In addition to helping make sure that you obtain a quality education, it can help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And many Platteville WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the Program Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but numerous employers desire that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacy technician college should ready 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 qualification may be met by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires 1 year of job experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the schools have associations with Platteville WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Help? Getting that first job in Platteville WI upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a difficult endeavor without some support. Ask if the schools you are considering have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of employer contacts where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Platteville WI home. Students who have decided 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. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering 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 final decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacist technician school you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Platteville WI area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Platteville

Choose the Best Platteville Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the ideal pharmacy technician training is an important first step to starting your career in a fulfilling occupation where assisting customers with their health is your objective. In the past, most pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacists can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated technicians. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy technician schools include both classroom and laboratory work. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to enroll in a school that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This is 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 colleges so that you are certain to make the best selection. With the appropriate training and determination you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Platteville Wisconsin.

 

Platteville Pharmacy Technician Certificate Online | Platteville Pharmacy Technician Programs