Pharmacy Tech School
How to Choose the Best One Near Stevens Point Wisconsin

It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Stevens Point WI so you can receive the proper training to build a career in the rewarding field of medicine. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating colleges so that you subsequently pick the ideal one? When looking for pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are critical factors when choosing a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation should be taken into account also. And if you prefer attending classes in your home by means of your computer instead of in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online program will also be part of your vetting process. We will address these qualifiers and some others that you will want to include when reviewing 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 Duties

Pharmacy technicians have multiple job responsibilities, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Stevens Point WI pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service skills since they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they may help customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice concerning medications or anything else. Any such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. A few of the common daily tasks a pharmacy technician may perform are:

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

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, especially for newer technicians with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes being required to work after hours is a very gratifying career helping people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees and Certificates

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally 2 alternatives 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 usually can be finished in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an approved Stevens Point WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally involves about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program should provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech colleges elect to get certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, many Stevens Point WI pharmacies will only hire a tech that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requires that the applicant be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, 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 examination. Recertification is called for every 2 years by each program, which can be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Classes Online

Prior to deciding on a pharmacy technician online school, it's important to realize that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is usually fulfilled in an area Stevens Point pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to get some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be taken over the internet in your Stevens Point WI home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for many students, particularly for those who keep working while attaining their degree or certificate. And online schools are often less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and study materials can be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online program you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as 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 right choice for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges

Once you have determined whether you would like to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school options. There are many pharmacy technician colleges to choose from in the Stevens Point WI area and throughout the USA, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for colleges that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Stevens Point home. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be critical. But there are a number of other variables that you must consider so that you may adequately compare programs. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? The majority of pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have obtained a national or regional 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 verified to furnish a comprehensive quality education. Online schools may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance education. Don't forget to check that the certificate or degree program together with the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. In addition to helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it may help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Stevens Point WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many pharmacies prefer that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacist technician program should ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of job experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates a year of experience for certification, which can be met by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train 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 meet the requirement. Ask if the programs have associations with Stevens Point WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial job in Stevens Point WI after graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a daunting undertaking without any help. Ask if the schools you are researching have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can place graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they choose will have to be within driving distance of their Stevens Point WI home. Individuals 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 concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacist tech program you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Stevens Point WI area, make sure that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Stevens Point

Enroll in the Best Stevens Point Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the right pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a rewarding profession where assisting people with their health is your objective. Traditionally, most pharmacy techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated technicians. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist tech schools incorporate both classroom and laboratory training. As we have covered in this article, it's essential to select a school that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other suggestions you will be able to compare schools so that you are sure to make the best choice. With the right education and dedication you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Stevens Point Wisconsin.

 

Stevens Point Pharmacy Technician Programs | Stevens Point Pharmacy Technician Classes