Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Waukesha Wisconsin

Having decided to attain your pharmacy technician degree or certificate near Waukesha WI, you might be pondering just how to pick the ideal college to receive your education and training. Usually the first step is to find schools that offer the certificate or degree that you are interested in. A number of prospective students start by searching for schools that are within commuting distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While cost and location are critical concerns when picking a school, they are not the sole ones. Internship and job placement programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. You might also decide to take a look at some accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will go over these qualifications and some others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Degree Programs

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally 2 alternatives to training to be a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be completed in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also require an internship at an accepted Waukesha WI pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally takes about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does offer a more extensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program can provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician programs choose to get certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, a number of Waukesha WI pharmacies 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 requires that the candidate be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is required every two years by both programs, which may be satisfied by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Programs

Before choosing a pharmacy tech online training program, it's necessary to realize that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be conducted in a clinical environment. This is commonly satisfied in an area Waukesha pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy tech in order to acquire some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed over the internet in your Waukesha WI home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for most students, particularly for those who continue to work while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online schools are sometimes more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and study materials can be reduced significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online school you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online instruction may be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

After you have decided whether you would like to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are numerous pharmacist tech programs to select from in the Waukesha WI area and throughout the United States, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Waukesha residence. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other variables that you need to take into consideration so that you may effectively compare schools. The questions below will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacist technician programs 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). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to offer a complete superior education. Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online learning. Don't forget to check that the certificate or degree program together with the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Besides helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it can assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Waukesha WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the College Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but numerous pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist technician college needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This requirement can be met by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates one year of experience for certification, which can be met with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Find out if the colleges have associations with Waukesha WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial job in Waukesha WI upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a difficult endeavor without any help. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they select will have to be within travelling distance of their Waukesha WI residence. Those who have chosen to attend classes online 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 consider is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually 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 kind of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the typical 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 decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program also.

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

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Waukesha

Enroll in the Best Waukesha Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the right pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to beginning your career in a rewarding occupation where helping customers with their wellness is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is furnished by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist technician schools include both classroom and clinical work. As we have covered in this article, it's essential to enroll in a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This holds true both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the appropriate training and commitment you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Waukesha Wisconsin.

 

Waukesha Pharmacy Tech Schools Online | Waukesha Pharmacy Technician Certificate