Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Stevens Point Wisconsin

Now that you have decided to attain your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Stevens Point WI, you may be thinking about just how to select the right program to receive your education and training. Of course the initial step is to find schools that offer the degree or certificate that you are interested in. Many future students start by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While cost and location are significant concerns when selecting a college, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. And if you prefer attending classes at home in front of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online college will also be included in your vetting process. We will cover these qualifications 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 diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy technicians have various job functions, but their primary responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Stevens Point WI pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities since they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they may assist customers with understanding directions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice pertaining to prescriptions or anything else. All such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. Several of the typical daily functions a pharmacy tech may perform are:

• Welcome and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Prepare prescription medications under pharmacist direction
• Enter customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and control inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also very common, especially for newer techs 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 Tech Degrees and Certificates

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally 2 alternatives to becoming 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 accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. Many programs also include an internship at an approved Stevens Point WI pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which normally takes about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can provide the necessary level 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 tech colleges elect to get certified so as to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Stevens Point WI pharmacies will only hire a technician that is certified. There are two organizations that offer certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by each program, which can be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Schools Online

Prior to deciding on a pharmacy technician online college, it's necessary to realize that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is commonly satisfied in a local Stevens Point pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy technician so as to get some work place experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed over the internet in your Stevens Point WI home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for many students, especially for those who continue to work while attaining their certificate or degree. And online colleges are frequently more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and costs for driving and course materials may be reduced significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online school you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online instruction might be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

After you have determined whether you would like to attain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are many pharmacy tech schools to select from in the Stevens Point WI area and throughout the Country, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Stevens Point residence. If you are willing to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other variables that you need to take into consideration so that you may adequately compare colleges. The following questions will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Many pharmacist tech colleges and trade schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to offer a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Make sure to check that the degree or certificate program as well as the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Besides helping make sure that you obtain a quality education, it can help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Stevens Point WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but a number of pharmacies prefer that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacy tech school should prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of work experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of job experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Find out if the programs have associations with Stevens Point WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Securing that initial job in Stevens Point WI after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a daunting task without some assistance. Ask if the colleges you are researching 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 college has an excellent reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Stevens Point WI residence. Those who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally 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 likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on 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 perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacist tech school you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Stevens Point WI area, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Stevens Point

Choose the Best Stevens Point Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the ideal pharmacy tech training is an important first step to starting your career in a gratifying occupation where helping people with their health is your mission. Traditionally, most pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". These days, most pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is furnished by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacy tech schools incorporate both classroom and laboratory training. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary to choose a school that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other suggestions you will be able to compare programs so that you are certain to make the best choice. With the right education and dedication you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Stevens Point Wisconsin.

 

Stevens Point Pharmacy Tech Schools | Stevens Point How To Become A Pharmacy Tech