Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Select the Right One Near Stoughton Wisconsin

Now that you have decided to earn your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Stoughton WI, you might be wondering how to select the best program to receive your education and training. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing schools so that you subsequently pick the right one? Many future students begin by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are significant concerns when choosing a school, they are not the only ones. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. And if you are interested in attending classes at home in front of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then finding an accredited online program will also be included in your vetting process. We will cover these qualifications and some others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

Students desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are basically two options to becoming a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade 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 various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also require an internship at an approved Stoughton WI pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which generally takes about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy tech colleges elect to get certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, a number of Stoughton WI employers will only employ a technician that is certified. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the candidate be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every two years by each program, which can be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Programs

Prior to choosing a pharmacy technician online college, it's important to understand that most schools do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is usually fulfilled in an area Stoughton pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under an experienced pharmacy technician so as to get 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 many students, especially for those who keep working while attaining their degree or certificate. And online schools are frequently less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and course materials may be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is provided. But not all online programs are accredited, which is important for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that each online program you are reviewing is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online training might be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

Once you have determined whether you wish to attain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist technician schools to select from in the Stoughton WI area and throughout the Country, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Stoughton residence. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are a number of other issues that you must consider in order to properly compare programs. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? The majority of pharmacist tech colleges and trade schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a complete superior education. Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Be sure to check that the certificate or degree program in addition to the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Besides helping make sure that you receive a quality education, it might help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Stoughton WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but a number of pharmacies prefer that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech program needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of professional experience. This condition can be met by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates one year of experience for certification, which can be met with an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work 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 colleges have a working relationship with Stoughton WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Help? Finding that initial job in Stoughton WI after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a challenging task without any assistance. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can refer graduating students.

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

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacist technician program you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Stoughton WI area, check that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Stoughton

Enroll in the Best Stoughton Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the best pharmacy technician training is an important first step to starting your career in a rewarding occupation where helping people with their wellness is your mission. In the past, most pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is offered by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy tech schools incorporate both classroom and clinical work. As we have discussed in this article, it's necessary to select a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This is true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional tips you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are sure to make the ideal choice. With the appropriate education and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Stoughton Wisconsin.

 

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