Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Find the Right One Near Watertown Wisconsin

It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near Watertown WI so you can get the right training to build a career in the rewarding field of healthcare. Of course the initial step is to find schools that offer the diploma or degree that you would like to earn. When checking out pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are significant factors when picking a college, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. You may also decide to research several accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifiers and others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy technician does, the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy techs have various job functions, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed Watertown WI pharmacist. They must also have great customer service abilities because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription drugs per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology 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 pertaining to prescriptions or anything else. All such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. Several of the typical daily tasks a pharmacy tech may carry out are:

• Greet and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Fill prescription medicines under pharmacist supervision
• Add customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, especially for newer techs with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally having to work off-hours is an extremely satisfying career helping customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Training Programs

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally 2 alternatives to training to be a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also require an internship at an accepted Watertown WI pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually takes about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more comprehensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program can provide the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech colleges elect to get certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, a number of Watertown WI employers will only hire a tech that has earned certification. There are two 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 one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is required every 2 years by each program, which may be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Colleges Online

Prior to selecting a pharmacy tech online training program, it's necessary to understand that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is typically satisfied in an area Watertown pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under an experienced pharmacy tech so as to receive some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed over the internet in your Watertown WI home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for most students, particularly for those who keep working while attaining their degree or certificate. And online programs are sometimes less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and course materials can be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online schools are accredited, which is essential for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online college you are reviewing 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 instruction may be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

Once you have determined whether you wish to earn a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are a large number of pharmacy technician programs to choose from in the Watertown WI area and throughout the United States, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Watertown home. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are many other factors that you need to consider so that you may effectively compare programs. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? The majority of pharmacy technician colleges and trade schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to provide a complete superior education. Online schools may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online learning. Make sure to verify that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. In addition to helping make sure that you get a quality education, it might help in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Watertown WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but numerous pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacy tech program should prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of job experience for certification, which may be met through an internship program. One of the best ways to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with Watertown WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first position in Watertown WI upon graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a difficult task without some help. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of employer relationships where it can refer graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will need to be within commuting distance of their Watertown WI residence. Those who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacy tech program you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Watertown WI area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Watertown

Enroll in the Right Watertown Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the right pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to beginning your career in a gratifying profession where assisting customers with their health is your objective. Traditionally, most pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated technicians. Training is provided by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy tech colleges incorporate both classroom and clinical work. As we have discussed in this article, it's important to enroll in a college that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you follow our other tips you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the best choice. With the appropriate training and determination you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Watertown Wisconsin.

 

Watertown Pharmacy Technician Classes | Watertown Pharmacy Tech Schools