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

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Sun Prairie WI in order to get the right training to begin a career in the rewarding field of medicine. Naturally the initial step is to locate schools that offer the diploma or degree that you would like to earn. When checking out pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While tuition and location are critical concerns when picking a college, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. And if you are interested in attending classes at home in front of your computer instead of in a classroom, then finding an accredited online college will also be part of your vetting process. We will address these qualifications and some others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online programs.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below

Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy techs have multiple job functions, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed Sun Prairie WI pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills because they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they may help customers with understanding instructions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice regarding medications or anything else. All such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. A few of the typical daily tasks a pharmacy technician may carry out are:

• Greet and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription drugs under pharmacist guidance
• Add prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day standing. 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 at times being required to work off-hours is a very fulfilling career assisting people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Degree Programs

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 options to training to be a tech regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which usually can be completed in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also require an internship at an accepted Sun Prairie WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which typically involves about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program should furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but many graduates of pharmacy tech programs elect to become certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, a number of Sun Prairie WI pharmacies will only employ a tech 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 at least 18 years old, 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 applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every two years by both programs, which may be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Classes Online

Prior to deciding on a pharmacist technician online college, it's important to realize that most schools do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is commonly fulfilled in a local Sun Prairie pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to obtain some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be taken online in your Sun Prairie WI home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for most students, particularly for those who keep working while earning their degree or certificate. And online programs are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and costs for commuting and study materials may be decreased substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online school 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 study with a less supervised form of education, then online classes may be the right solution for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

After you have decided whether you want to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacy tech programs to choose from in the Sun Prairie WI area and throughout the Country, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Sun Prairie 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 many other variables that you should take into consideration so that you may adequately compare schools. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech College 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). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to offer a complete quality education. Online programs may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Make sure to check that the degree or certificate program together with the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Along with helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it may assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Sun Prairie WI employers 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 every state, but a number of pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacist technician program should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This requirement can be satisfied by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates one year of job experience for certification, which may be met through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech 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 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? Finding that initial position in Sun Prairie WI after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a daunting task without some assistance. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of employer relationships where it can place graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their Sun Prairie WI residence. Those who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically 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 way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacist technician school you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Sun Prairie WI area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More about How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Sun Prairie

Choose the Right Sun Prairie Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the ideal pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to launching your career in a fulfilling occupation where assisting people with their health is your purpose. In the past, most pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist technician programs include both classroom and clinical training. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to select a school 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 make use of our other tips you will be able to compare schools so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the right education and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Sun Prairie Wisconsin.

 

Sun Prairie Pharmacy Technician Schools | Sun Prairie Pharmacy Technician Training