Pharmacy Tech College
How to Select the Right One Near Watertown Wisconsin

It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Watertown WI in order to get the right training to begin a career in the rewarding field of healthcare. But just how do you undertake comparing and evaluating schools so that you ultimately enroll in the ideal one? A number of potential students start by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are significant concerns when picking a school, they are not the only ones. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. You might also choose to take a look at several accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifiers and others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Degree Programs

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally two 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 finished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an accepted Watertown WI pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually involves about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more extensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program can provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices

Certification is not required in all states, but numerous graduates of pharmacy tech colleges opt to become certified in order to be more qualified in the job market. Also, many Watertown WI pharmacies will only hire a technician that is certified. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by both programs, which can be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Colleges

Before deciding on a pharmacy tech online college, it's necessary to understand that most schools do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is commonly fulfilled in an area Watertown pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to obtain some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed online in your Watertown WI home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for many students, notably for those who keep working while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online colleges are frequently less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and study materials may be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that any online program you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online classes might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

After you have determined whether you would like to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school options. There are many pharmacy technician colleges to select from in the Watertown WI area and throughout the Country, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Watertown home. If you are willing to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are many other variables that you need to consider in order to effectively compare programs. The following questions will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Most pharmacist technician programs and trade schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to provide a complete quality education. Online schools may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Don't forget to check that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Besides helping ensure that you get a quality education, it may assist in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Watertown WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many pharmacies prefer that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacy tech college should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This condition can be fulfilled by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires a year of experience for certification, which may be fulfilled by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the colleges have associations with Watertown WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Getting that first job in Watertown WI after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a challenging task without some assistance. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates 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 college they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Watertown WI residence. Individuals 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 importance. One thing to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacist technician school you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Watertown WI area, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Watertown

Choose the Right Watertown Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the best pharmacy tech training is an important first step to starting your career in a fulfilling profession where helping people with their health is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacy techs were trained "on the job". These days, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is offered by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist technician colleges include both clinical and classroom work. As we have discussed in this article, it's necessary to select a school that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This applies both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional tips you will be able to compare schools so that you are sure to make the best selection. With the proper education and commitment you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Watertown Wisconsin.

 

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