Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Select the Best One Near Pleasant Prairie Wisconsin

Now that you have made the decision to attain your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Pleasant Prairie WI, you might be wondering how to select the right program to receive your education and training. Naturally the first step is to locate schools that offer the degree or diploma that you would like to earn. When looking for pharmacy technician programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are critical factors when choosing a school, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers including reputation and accreditation must be considered also. You may also want to take a look at several accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will cover 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 technician does, 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 Technician Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy techs have numerous job functions, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed Pleasant Prairie WI pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills since they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they can assist customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice relating to medications or anything else. All such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily duties a pharmacy tech might carry out are:

• Receive and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Dispense prescription medications under pharmacist guidance
• Input prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and manage inventory

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

Pharmacy Technician Degree Programs

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally two alternatives to becoming a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Pleasant Prairie WI pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually takes about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program should provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech programs opt to get certified so as to be more qualified in the job market. Also, many Pleasant Prairie WI pharmacies will only hire a technician that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be 18 years or older, 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 candidate has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every 2 years by each program, which may be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Schools

Prior to choosing a pharmacy technician online school, it's important to understand that the majority of schools do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is typically fulfilled in a local Pleasant Prairie pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to acquire some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training may be taken online in your Pleasant Prairie WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for many students, especially for those who keep working while attaining their degree or certificate. And online programs are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and course materials can be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online program you are looking at 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 structured form of education, then online instruction might be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

After you have determined whether you want to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacy tech colleges to pick from in the Pleasant Prairie WI area and throughout the USA, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will probably initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Pleasant Prairie home. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are several other issues that you must take into consideration in order to effectively compare colleges. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Many pharmacist technician programs and trade schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to furnish a complete quality education. Online schools may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online education. Be sure to verify that the degree or certificate program in addition to the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you get a superior education, it might help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Pleasant Prairie 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 all states, but numerous pharmacies prefer that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacy technician college needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This condition can be fulfilled by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires 1 year of professional experience for certification, which may be met through an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Find out if the programs have associations with Pleasant Prairie WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Help? Getting that first position in Pleasant Prairie WI after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a challenging undertaking without some help. Ask if the schools you are considering have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the field creating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduating students.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they select will have to be within commuting distance of their Pleasant Prairie WI home. Students who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern 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 decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally 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.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the pharmacy tech school you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Pleasant Prairie WI area, make certain that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative 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 as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Pleasant Prairie

Enroll in the Best Pleasant Prairie Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the right pharmacy technician training is an important first step to starting your career in a fulfilling occupation where helping customers with their wellness is your mission. In the past, many pharmacy techs were trained "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is offered by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy tech schools incorporate both classroom and clinical training. As we have covered in this article, it's necessary to enroll in a program that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other tips you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are certain to make the ideal selection. With the appropriate education and dedication you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Pleasant Prairie Wisconsin.

 

Pleasant Prairie Pharmacy Tech Certificate | Pleasant Prairie Pharmacy Technician Schools