Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Watertown Wisconsin

Now that you have decided to attain your pharmacy technician degree or certificate near Watertown WI, you might be wondering just how to select the right school to receive your education and training. Usually the first step is to locate schools that offer the degree or certificate that you are interested in. When checking out pharmacy technician programs, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While tuition and location are critical concerns when selecting 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 location and cost. 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 qualifiers and others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at what a pharmacy technician does, the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Description

Pharmacy techs have various job functions, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must work under the management of a licensed Watertown WI pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills since they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription medicines 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. However, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice relating to prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. Several of the typical daily functions a pharmacy tech may perform are:

• Greet and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription drugs under pharmacist guidance
• Add customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions 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 profession, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also very common, particularly for newer technicians with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work off-hours is an extremely rewarding career assisting customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees and Certificates

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are basically two alternatives to training to be a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally 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 typically requires about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more comprehensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program should furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices

Certification is not required in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician schools opt to become certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, many Watertown WI pharmacies will only hire a technician that has earned certification. There are two organizations that offer 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 at least one year of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which can be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Colleges Online

Before deciding on a pharmacy technician online training program, it's necessary to realize that most programs do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is commonly satisfied in an area Watertown pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to receive some work place experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be taken online in your Watertown WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for most students, especially for those who continue to work while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online colleges are sometimes less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials can be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is important for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that each online school you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less supervised form of education, then online instruction may be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

After you have decided whether you wish to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are a large number of pharmacy technician colleges to select from in the Watertown WI area and throughout the USA, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Watertown home. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are many other factors that you should take into consideration in order to effectively compare schools. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Most pharmacy tech programs and trade schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected 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 complete quality education. Online schools may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Be sure to check that the degree or certificate program in addition to the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Besides helping guarantee that you obtain a superior education, it may help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And many Watertown WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but many pharmacies prefer that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacist technician program needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of job experience. This requirement may be met by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires one year of job experience for certification, which may be satisfied with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Check if the programs have associations with Watertown WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first position in Watertown WI after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a daunting task without some help. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduates.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they decide on will have to be within commuting distance of their Watertown WI residence. Those who have opted 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 importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacist technician college you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending classes. 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 credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Watertown

Choose the Right Watertown Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the right pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a gratifying profession where assisting customers with their wellness is your purpose. In the past, many pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". These days, most pharmacists can no longer afford to do this 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. Many pharmacist technician programs include both clinical and classroom work. As we have discussed in this article, it's necessary to choose a college that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This holds true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional tips you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are sure to make the ideal choice. With the appropriate training and dedication you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Watertown Wisconsin.

 

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