Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Find the Right One Near Stoughton Wisconsin

It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near Stoughton WI in order to get the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding field of medicine. But just how do you approach comparing and evaluating schools so that you subsequently pick the right one? When checking out pharmacy technician schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While tuition and location are important factors when picking a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers including accreditation and reputation must be evaluated also. And if you prefer attending classes at home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then finding an accredited online school will also be part of your vetting process. We will go over these qualifiers and others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online programs.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy technicians have various job responsibilities, but their principal responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed Stoughton WI pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service abilities because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they may help customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever give medical advice pertaining to medications or anything else. Any such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Several of the common daily services a pharmacy technician might carry out are:

• Welcome and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription medicines under pharmacist supervision
• Input prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and control inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, particularly for newer techs with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work after hours is a very satisfying career helping customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Training Programs

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 alternatives to training to be a technician whether 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 provide an introduction to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted Stoughton WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally requires about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more in depth education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide 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 technician colleges choose to get certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, many Stoughton WI pharmacies will only hire a technician that has earned certification. 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 work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which may be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Schools

Prior to selecting a pharmacy technician online school, it's important to realize that the majority of schools do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is typically fulfilled in a local Stoughton pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working with an experienced pharmacy tech so as to acquire some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed over the internet in your Stoughton WI home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for most students, particularly for those who keep working while earning their certificate or degree. And online schools are frequently more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and study materials may be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online school you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online classes may be the best solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

After you have decided whether you wish to attain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacist technician colleges to choose from in the Stoughton WI area and throughout the USA, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Stoughton residence. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are many other issues that you need to consider so that you may effectively compare programs. The following questions will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Many pharmacist technician colleges and vocational schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a complete quality education. Online programs may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance education. Make sure to confirm that the degree or certificate program in addition to the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you get a quality education, it might help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Stoughton WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but numerous employers desire that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech college needs to ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of job experience. This requirement may be fulfilled by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates 1 year of professional experience for certification, which may be satisfied by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the schools have a working relationship with Stoughton WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Assistance? Securing that first job in Stoughton WI after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a daunting endeavor without any help. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can place graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Stoughton WI residence. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the typical teacher to student 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 speak with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacist technician program you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Stoughton WI area, verify that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Stoughton

Enroll in the Best Stoughton Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the best pharmacy tech training is an important first step to starting your career in a rewarding occupation where helping customers with their wellness is your objective. Traditionally, many pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacists can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally educated technicians. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy tech programs incorporate both laboratory and classroom training. As we have covered in this article, it's essential to enroll in 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 follow our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are sure to make the right selection. With the appropriate training and determination you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Stoughton Wisconsin.

 

Stoughton Pharmacy Tech Certificate | Stoughton Pharmacy Technician Schools