Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Sun Prairie Wisconsin

Having decided to attain your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Sun Prairie WI, you might be wondering how to choose the best program to receive your education and training. Usually the initial step is to locate colleges that offer the degree or certificate that you are interested in. Many future students begin by searching for colleges that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are significant concerns when choosing a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications including reputation and accreditation should be considered also. And if you prefer attending classes at home in front of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then finding an accredited online school will also be part of your vetting process. We will address these qualifications and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy techs have various job responsibilities, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the management of a licensed Sun Prairie WI pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when filling prescription medications per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may help customers with understanding directions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice regarding prescriptions or anything else. All such questions would be handled by the pharmacist. Some of the common daily functions a pharmacy technician might carry out are:

• Greet and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Fill prescription drugs under pharmacist guidance
• Input prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also very common, especially for newer technicians with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or at times being required to work after hours is an extremely fulfilling career assisting people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Diplomas

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are basically 2 alternatives to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be finished in a year or less. These programs offer an overview to the different elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Sun Prairie WI pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically requires about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can furnish the necessary level 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 choose to become certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, many Sun Prairie 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 candidate be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is required every two years by each program, which may be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Schools Online

Prior to choosing a pharmacist tech online college, it's necessary to realize that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is typically satisfied in an area Sun Prairie pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to get some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed online in your Sun Prairie WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for many students, especially for those who keep working while attaining their certificate or degree. And online colleges are often less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and study materials can be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online program you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online classes might be the ideal solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

After you have determined whether you would like to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school options. There are a large number of pharmacist technician schools to select from in the Sun Prairie WI area and throughout the USA, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for programs that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Sun Prairie residence. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are many other variables that you should consider so that you may properly compare schools. The questions below will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Most pharmacy tech colleges and trade schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to offer a comprehensive superior education. Online schools may additionally earn 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 together with the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides helping make sure that you get a quality education, it might help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Sun Prairie WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but numerous pharmacies prefer that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacist tech college needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of professional experience. This qualification can be met by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates 1 year of job experience for certification, which can be fulfilled with an internship program. One of the best ways to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Find out if the colleges have associations with Sun Prairie WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first position in Sun Prairie WI after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a challenging undertaking without some support. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of employer contacts where it can refer graduates.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they select will need to be within driving distance of their Sun Prairie WI residence. Students who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose 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 generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. 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 a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacy technician college you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Sun Prairie WI area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours 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 illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Sun Prairie

Enroll in the Right Sun Prairie Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the best pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to launching your career in a gratifying profession where helping customers with their wellness is your mission. Traditionally, most pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most employers can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated techs. Training is furnished by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist technician colleges include both clinical and classroom work. As we have covered in this article, it's necessary 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 make use of our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are sure to make the right selection. With the proper education and commitment you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Sun Prairie Wisconsin.

 

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