Pharmacy Tech School
How to Pick the Best One Near Platteville Wisconsin

It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Platteville WI so you can get the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding profession of healthcare. But just how do you approach comparing and evaluating colleges so that you subsequently pick the ideal one? Many future students begin by looking for colleges that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are important concerns when choosing a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifications including accreditation and reputation should be considered also. You might also choose to take a look at some accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifiers and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online programs.

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

Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

Pharmacy technicians have numerous job responsibilities, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the management of a licensed Platteville WI pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service skills since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they can help customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice relating to prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. Some of the common daily functions a pharmacy tech might carry out are:

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

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, especially for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work off-hours is an extremely gratifying career assisting people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially 2 alternatives to becoming a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be completed in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually 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 usually requires about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more comprehensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program should furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available

Certification is not required in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician programs choose to get certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, a number of Platteville WI employers will only employ a tech that is certified. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the candidate be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every 2 years by each program, which can be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Classes

Prior to choosing a pharmacy tech online school, 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 commonly satisfied in an area Platteville pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to acquire some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be taken online in your Platteville WI home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for most students, especially for those who continue to work while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online programs are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and study materials may be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is essential for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online school 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 learn with a less structured form of education, then online instruction might be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

After you have decided whether you wish to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are many pharmacy tech programs to choose from in the Platteville WI area and throughout the USA, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Platteville residence. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other factors that you need to consider so that you may properly compare schools. The following questions will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Most pharmacy tech programs and trade schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to offer a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Don't forget to confirm that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping make sure that you obtain a quality education, it might assist 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 Platteville WI employers 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 mandated in every state, but many pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech program should prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of job experience. This qualification may be fulfilled by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of 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 clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the schools have associations with Platteville WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Give Job Placement Assistance? Getting that initial job in Platteville WI upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a challenging undertaking without some assistance. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Platteville WI home. Those who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose 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 often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type 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 personalized instruction. Ask the schools 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 ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacist technician school you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Platteville 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 may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More about How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Platteville

Enroll in the Best Platteville Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the right pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to launching your career in a gratifying profession where assisting customers with their wellness is your objective. In the past, most pharmacist techs were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is provided by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy tech schools include both clinical and classroom work. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to choose a program that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This applies both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the best selection. With the proper education and commitment you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Platteville Wisconsin.

 

Platteville Pharmacy Technician Programs | Platteville Pharmacy Technician Classes