Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Select the Best One Near Sun Prairie Wisconsin
It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near Sun Prairie WI so you can receive the proper training to begin a career in the rewarding field of medicine. Naturally the first step is to find schools that offer the degree or diploma that you are interested in. Many potential students start by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are critical concerns when deciding on a school, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications including accreditation and reputation need to be taken into account also. You might also decide to look into several accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifications and others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online programs.
It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below
Pharmacy Tech Job Description
Pharmacy technicians have various job responsibilities, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must work under the supervision of a licensed Sun Prairie WI pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service abilities since they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when filling prescription medications per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may help customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no situation should they ever give medical advice pertaining to medications or anything else. All such questions should be handled by the pharmacist. Several of the common daily duties a pharmacy tech may perform are:
- Greet and assist customers with medications and other questions
- Fill prescription medications under pharmacist supervision
- Input prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
- Contact customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
- Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
- Stock shelves and audit and control inventory
As a consequence of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, particularly for newer techs with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work after hours is a very fulfilling career helping people with their health and wellness.
Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Certificates
Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally 2 options to training to be a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs offer an overview to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also include an internship at an accepted Sun Prairie WI pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually involves about two 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. Each program should provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to become certified.
Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered
Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician colleges elect to become certified so as to be more qualified in the job market. Also, a number of Sun Prairie WI pharmacies will only hire a tech that is certified. 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 completed a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which can be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Tech Programs Online
Before selecting a pharmacy tech online training program, it's important to understand that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is commonly fulfilled in a local Sun Prairie pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to acquire some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed over the internet in your Sun Prairie WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for many students, especially for those who keep working while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online programs are often less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and course materials may 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 obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online program you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online instruction might be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges
After you have determined whether you want to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist technician schools to pick from in the Sun Prairie WI area and throughout the Country, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably initially look for colleges that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Sun Prairie residence. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are several other factors that you should take into consideration in order to properly compare programs. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Most pharmacist technician colleges and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. Among 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 furnish a comprehensive quality education. Online schools may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online learning. Be sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program together with the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping ensure that you get a quality education, it can assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And many Sun Prairie WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the School Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but many employers prefer that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacy tech school needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This qualification can be satisfied by entering a college sponsored internship program.
Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates 1 year of professional experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Find out if the programs have a working relationship with Sun Prairie WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the College Provide Job Placement Help? Finding that first position in Sun Prairie WI upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a difficult undertaking without any help. Ask if the schools you are considering have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduates.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will need to be within driving distance of their Sun Prairie WI home. Students who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern 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 school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering 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 decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician school you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide 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 available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Sun Prairie
Enroll in the Best Sun Prairie Pharmacy Tech Program
Receiving the right pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to starting your career in a fulfilling profession where assisting people with their wellness is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of pharmacies can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is provided by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacist technician programs include both classroom and clinical training. As we have addressed in this article, it's important to choose a school that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This holds true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the right choice. With the right training and commitment you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Sun Prairie Wisconsin.
Sun Prairie How To Become A Pharmacy Tech | Sun Prairie Pharmacy Tech Certificate