Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Select the Right One Near Shorewood Wisconsin
It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near Shorewood WI in order to receive the right training to begin a career in the rewarding field of medicine. Usually the initial step is to find colleges that offer the certificate or degree that you are interested in. When checking out pharmacy technician programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. 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 just as important if not more so as cost and location. You might also decide to take a look at a few accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifications and others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online courses.
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Pharmacy Technician Certificates and Degrees
Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally two options to training to be a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include classroom and lab training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted Shorewood WI pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally requires about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more in depth education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program should provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.
Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered
It is not required to earn certification in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician schools choose to get certified in order to be more qualified in the job market. Additionally, many Shorewood WI pharmacies will only employ a technician that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that provide 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 completed a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every two years by both programs, which can be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Technician Online Colleges
Prior to choosing a pharmacist tech online college, it's important to realize that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is commonly fulfilled in a local Shorewood pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy technician in order to obtain some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed over the internet in your Shorewood WI home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for most students, especially for those who continue to work while attaining their certificate or degree. And online colleges are often less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials may be reduced significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is critical for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online college 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 learn with a less formal type of education, then online training may be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges
After you have decided whether you wish to attain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school options. There are numerous pharmacy tech programs to choose from in the Shorewood WI area and throughout the United States, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Shorewood residence. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be important. But there are several other issues that you must consider so that you may properly compare programs. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacist technician colleges and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to offer a complete superior education. Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Don't forget to verify that the degree or certificate program together with the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. Along with helping ensure that you get a quality education, it can assist in getting financial aid or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And many Shorewood WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the Program Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many employers desire that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacist technician school needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This qualification may be satisfied by participating in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires 1 year of job experience for certification, which can be fulfilled through an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the programs have a working relationship with Shorewood WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Give Job Placement Help? Getting that initial job in Shorewood WI upon graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a daunting undertaking without any support. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school 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 place graduates.
Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will have to be within commuting distance of their Shorewood WI residence. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online obviously 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 decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically 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.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate 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 technician program also.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacist technician college you finally pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Shorewood WI area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.
Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Shorewood
Enroll in the Best Shorewood Pharmacy Tech Program
Receiving the best pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a gratifying profession where helping customers with their health is your mission. In the past, many pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". These days, most employers can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated techs. Training is offered by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy tech colleges incorporate both clinical and classroom training. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to choose a college that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This holds true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional tips you will be able to compare programs so that you are certain to make the best selection. With the proper education and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Shorewood Wisconsin.
Shorewood Pharmacy Technician Certificate | Shorewood Pharmacy Technician Certificate Online