Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Find the Right One Near Sheboygan Wisconsin

It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Sheboygan WI so you can get the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding field of medicine. Usually the initial step is to locate colleges that offer the certificate or degree that you would like to earn. Many future students begin by looking for colleges that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While cost and location are significant 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 attending classes in your home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online college will also be part of your vetting process. We will cover these qualifiers and others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

Pharmacy technicians have many job duties, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Sheboygan WI pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills because they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription medications per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they may help customers with understanding directions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. All such questions should be addressed by the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily duties a pharmacy technician might perform are:

• Welcome and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription medicines under pharmacist direction
• Enter prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and manage 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 very common, particularly for newer techs with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally having to work off-hours is an extremely fulfilling career assisting customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Diplomas

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally 2 alternatives to training to be a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs offer an overview to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted Sheboygan WI pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually takes about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more extensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program can provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices

Certification is not required in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician schools choose to get certified so as to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Sheboygan 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 at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of professional 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 completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Classes Online

Prior to deciding on a pharmacist technician online training program, it's important to realize that the majority of schools do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is typically satisfied in an area Sheboygan pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to get some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training may be taken over the internet in your Sheboygan WI home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for many students, particularly for those who continue to work while attaining their certificate or degree. And online programs are frequently more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and course materials may be reduced significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So check that any online program you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online classes might be the right solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges

Once you have decided whether you wish to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy technician colleges to choose from in the Sheboygan WI area and throughout the United States, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Sheboygan residence. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are many other variables that you should consider in order to adequately compare programs. The following questions will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacy tech programs and trade schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected 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 superior education. Online programs may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance education. Be sure to check 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. Along with helping make sure that you receive a quality education, it can help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Sheboygan 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 every state, but a number of pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacist technician school needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of job experience. This qualification may be fulfilled by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires 1 year of job experience for certification, which may be met with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the schools have a working relationship with Sheboygan WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first job in Sheboygan WI after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a challenging undertaking without some assistance. Ask if the schools you are considering have job placement programs. If so, 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 generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can place graduating students.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Sheboygan WI home. Students 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 importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical teacher to student 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 several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacist technician school you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Sheboygan WI area, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Sheboygan

Enroll in the Right Sheboygan Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the right pharmacy tech training is an important first step to starting your career in a gratifying occupation where assisting people with their health is your purpose. In the past, many pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". These days, most pharmacists can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is provided by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy tech schools incorporate both laboratory and classroom work. As we have discussed in this article, it's necessary to enroll in a college 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 follow our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the ideal selection. With the right education and determination you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Sheboygan Wisconsin.

 

Sheboygan Pharmacy Tech Certificate | Sheboygan Pharmacy Technician Schools