Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Shorewood Wisconsin

Now that you have made the decision to attain your pharmacy technician degree or certificate near Shorewood WI, you might be pondering just how to choose the right school to receive your education and training. Usually the initial step is to find schools that offer the degree or certificate that you would like to earn. When checking out pharmacy technician schools, many potential students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are important factors when choosing a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers including accreditation and reputation need to be taken into account also. And if you prefer studying at home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then finding an accredited online college will also be included in your vetting process. We will address these qualifications and some others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Degrees

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially 2 options 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 accomplished in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an approved Shorewood WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually takes about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy tech programs opt to become certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, a number of Shorewood WI employers will only employ a technician that is certified. 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 a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by both programs, which can be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Classes Online

Prior to selecting a pharmacy technician online training program, it's necessary to realize that the majority of programs do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is typically fulfilled in an area Shorewood pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to get some work place experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be taken online in your Shorewood WI home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for most students, especially for those who keep working while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online colleges are sometimes more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and study materials may be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online program you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online training may be the ideal solution for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

Once you have decided whether you would like to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist tech schools to choose from in the Shorewood WI area and throughout the Country, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Shorewood residence. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are several other factors that you should take into consideration so that you may properly compare colleges. The following questions will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Most pharmacy technician programs and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to offer a complete superior education. Online programs may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Don't forget to check that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you get a quality education, it can help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And many Shorewood WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the School Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but a number of pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacist technician college needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This qualification may be fulfilled by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires a year of job experience for certification, which can be met with an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Ask if the programs have a working relationship with Shorewood WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Getting that initial job in Shorewood WI after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a difficult endeavor without some help. Ask if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduates.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their Shorewood WI home. Students who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble 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 choose 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 often charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacy tech program you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Shorewood WI area, check that they are available. 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, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Find Out More about How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Shorewood

Choose the Right Shorewood Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the right pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a fulfilling profession where helping people with their wellness is your purpose. Traditionally, many pharmacy techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most employers can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is offered by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist tech colleges incorporate both clinical and classroom training. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary to select a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This holds true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional tips you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are certain to make the right selection. With the proper education and dedication you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Shorewood Wisconsin.

 

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