Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Find the Right One Near Pleasant Prairie Wisconsin

Having decided to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Pleasant Prairie WI, you might be wondering just how to choose the best college to receive your education and training. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing schools so that you subsequently enroll in the best one? A number of future students start by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are significant factors when deciding on a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications including reputation and accreditation need to be taken into account also. You might also choose to research some accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifications and others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at what a pharmacy technician does, the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy technicians have numerous job functions, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Pleasant Prairie WI pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service abilities since they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they can assist customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice pertaining to medications or anything else. All such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. Several of the regular daily services a pharmacy tech may carry out are:

• Receive and help customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription medicines under pharmacist direction
• Add prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and control inventory

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

Pharmacy Technician Degree Programs

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally two alternatives to training to be a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction 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 Pleasant Prairie WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which normally requires about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more in depth education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should furnish the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician schools elect to get certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Pleasant Prairie 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 candidate be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every two years by each program, which can be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Colleges Online

Prior to choosing a pharmacist tech online training program, it's necessary to understand that most schools do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is usually satisfied in an area Pleasant Prairie pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to acquire some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed over the internet in your Pleasant Prairie WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for many students, notably for those who keep working while attaining their degree or certificate. And online schools are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures 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 colleges are accredited, which is important for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online school you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online instruction may be the ideal solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

After you have determined whether you would like to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy tech colleges to choose from in the Pleasant Prairie WI area and throughout the USA, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Pleasant Prairie home. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are several other issues that you should consider so that you may adequately compare colleges. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacy technician colleges and trade schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to offer a complete quality education. Online colleges may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Make sure to check that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Besides helping ensure that you obtain a superior education, it might help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Pleasant Prairie WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but a number of pharmacies prefer that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacist tech school needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This requirement may be satisfied by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires a year of professional experience for certification, which can be satisfied through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work 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 programs have a working relationship with Pleasant Prairie WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Finding that first job in Pleasant Prairie WI after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a challenging undertaking without some assistance. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will need to be within driving distance of their Pleasant Prairie WI home. Individuals who have opted 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 concern. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program 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 usually charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacist technician program you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Pleasant Prairie WI area, check that they are offered. 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 carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Pleasant Prairie

Enroll in the Right Pleasant Prairie Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the best pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a rewarding profession where assisting people with their health is your objective. Traditionally, many pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist tech colleges incorporate both classroom and laboratory work. As we have addressed in this article, it's important to choose a school that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is 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 schools so that you are sure to make the best choice. With the proper training and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Pleasant Prairie Wisconsin.

 

Pleasant Prairie Pharmacy Technician Training | Pleasant Prairie Pharmacy Technician Courses