Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Pick the Right One Near Waukesha Wisconsin

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician certificate or degree program near Waukesha WI so you can get the right training to build a career in the rewarding profession of healthcare. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing schools so that you ultimately enroll in the right one? Many potential students start by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are important factors when picking a college, they are not the sole ones. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as cost and location. And if you are interested in studying at home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then finding an accredited online school will also be included in your vetting process. We will address these qualifications and others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online programs.

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

Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy techs have various job duties, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the supervision of a licensed Waukesha WI pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they can help customers with understanding directions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice relating to medications or anything else. All such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. A few of the common daily services a pharmacy tech may perform are:

• Receive and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Prepare prescription medications under pharmacist supervision
• Add customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, particularly for newer techs with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work off-hours is an extremely satisfying career helping customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees and Certificates

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech school 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 trade school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be finished in a year or less. These programs offer an overview to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include classroom and lab training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Waukesha WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally involves about two years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more expansive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program should provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician schools choose to get certified so as to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, a number of Waukesha WI employers will only hire a tech that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that offer 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 one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is required every 2 years by both programs, which may be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Programs

Prior to selecting a pharmacy tech online training program, it's important to understand that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is usually fulfilled in an area Waukesha pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working with an experienced pharmacy technician in order to acquire some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online in your Waukesha WI home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for most students, notably for those who keep working while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online programs are sometimes less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and course 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 essential for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online school you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online training might be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

After you have determined whether you want to earn a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacy tech colleges to select from in the Waukesha WI area and throughout the Country, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for programs that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Waukesha home. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are a number of other issues that you must take into consideration so that you may effectively compare programs. The questions below will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Many pharmacy tech programs and trade schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to furnish a complete superior education. Online programs may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Make sure to confirm that the degree or certificate program as well as the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Along with helping make sure that you get a superior education, it may help in acquiring 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 Waukesha WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but a number of pharmacies prefer that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacy tech college needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This qualification may be satisfied by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires a year of job experience for certification, which may be met through an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Find out if the schools have associations with Waukesha WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Assistance? Securing that initial job in Waukesha WI upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a difficult task without some support. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the field creating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduating students.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they decide on will have to be within commuting distance of their Waukesha WI home. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacy tech program you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Waukesha WI area, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Waukesha

Enroll in the Right Waukesha Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the best pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to launching your career in a gratifying profession where helping customers with their health is your purpose. In the past, most pharmacy technicians were trained "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated technicians. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist tech programs incorporate both clinical and classroom training. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to select a school that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This is true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are certain to make the right selection. With the appropriate education and commitment you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Waukesha Wisconsin.

 

Waukesha How To Become A Pharmacy Tech | Waukesha Pharmacy Tech Certificate