Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Choose the Right One Near Shorewood Wisconsin

Now that you have decided to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Shorewood WI, you may be pondering how to choose the right college to receive your education and training. Usually the initial step is to locate schools that offer the degree or certificate that you would like to earn. A number of future students begin by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are important concerns when selecting a school, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. You may also decide to research several accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will go over these qualifiers and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online programs.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Duties

Pharmacy technicians have various job responsibilities, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Shorewood WI pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service abilities since they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they may help customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever give medical advice regarding prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the common daily services a pharmacy tech might carry out are:

• Greet and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription drugs under pharmacist guidance
• Input prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and manage inventory

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also very common, especially for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work off-hours is a very gratifying career assisting customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Certificates

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally two alternatives to training to be a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be completed in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an accepted Shorewood WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally requires about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more in depth education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program can provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech schools elect to get certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, a number of Shorewood WI employers will only hire a technician that is certified. There are 2 organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requires that the candidate be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has at least one year 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 both programs, which can be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Colleges Online

Before deciding on a pharmacist technician online program, it's important to understand that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is commonly fulfilled in an area Shorewood pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to obtain some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed over the internet in your Shorewood WI home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for many students, particularly for those who continue to work while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online schools are often less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and study materials may be reduced significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is essential for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online program you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online training may be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

After you have determined whether you would like to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy tech colleges to pick from in the Shorewood WI area and throughout the United States, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for programs that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Shorewood home. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other issues that you need to take into consideration in order to properly compare programs. The following questions will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Many pharmacist technician programs and trade schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Make sure to confirm that the degree or certificate program as well as the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Along with helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it might assist in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of 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 mandated in all states, but many pharmacies prefer that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacist technician program needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This qualification can be fulfilled by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates a year of professional experience for certification, which may be satisfied through an internship program. One of the best ways to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Ask if the schools have a working relationship with Shorewood WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Finding that first job in Shorewood WI after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a difficult task without any help. Ask if the colleges you are considering 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 creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of employer relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their Shorewood WI home. Those who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps 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 typically charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering 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 final determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacy tech college you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Shorewood 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 enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Shorewood

Choose the Best Shorewood Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the right pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to launching your career in a rewarding occupation where helping people with their health is your mission. In the past, most pharmacy technicians 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 educated techs. Training is offered by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy tech colleges incorporate both classroom and laboratory work. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to select a school that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This holds true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other tips you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the appropriate education and commitment you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Shorewood Wisconsin.

 

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