Pharmacy Tech College
How to Choose the Best One Near Waukesha Wisconsin

It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near Waukesha WI in order to receive the proper training to build a career in the rewarding profession of healthcare. Of course the first step is to locate colleges that offer the degree or certificate that you are interested in. Many potential students begin by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are significant concerns when selecting a college, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be taken into account also. And if you prefer studying at home in front of your computer rather than in a classroom, then finding an accredited online program will also be part of your vetting process. We will cover these qualifications and some others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online programs.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Duties

Pharmacy technicians have many job responsibilities, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed Waukesha WI pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills since they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can help customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever provide medical advice relating to medications or anything else. Any such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. Several of the typical daily services a pharmacy tech might carry out are:

• Receive and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Fill prescription medications under pharmacist direction
• Input customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Fill out 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, especially for newer techs with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally being required to work off-hours is an extremely fulfilling career helping people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Certificates and Degrees

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are basically two options to becoming a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an accepted Waukesha WI pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually involves about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more extensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program can furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Options

Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician programs elect to become certified so as to be more qualified in the job market. Additionally, a number of Waukesha 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 requires 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 only requires that the candidate has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by each program, which may be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Classes Online

Prior to choosing a pharmacist tech online program, it's necessary to realize that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is usually fulfilled in an area Waukesha pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under an experienced pharmacy technician in order to obtain some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be taken over the internet in your Waukesha WI home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for many students, especially for those who keep working while earning their degree or certificate. And online schools are sometimes less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and costs for commuting and course materials may be decreased substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online program you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online classes might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

After you have decided whether you would like to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist tech colleges to select from in the Waukesha WI area and throughout the United States, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably initially look for schools 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 many other variables that you need to consider in order to effectively compare schools. The questions below will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your final selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Many pharmacy technician colleges and trade schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to provide a complete superior education. Online colleges may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Be sure to check that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it can help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Waukesha WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but many employers desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacy technician college should prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of work experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires one year of professional experience for certification, which can be satisfied with an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation 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 Offer Job Placement Assistance? Securing that first job in Waukesha WI upon graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a challenging undertaking without any assistance. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Waukesha WI residence. Students who have chosen 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. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing 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 a chance to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacist technician program you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Waukesha WI area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check 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 obligations.

Find Out More about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Waukesha

Enroll in the Best Waukesha Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the best pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a rewarding profession where assisting people with their health is your purpose. In the past, many pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is furnished by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacy technician schools include both classroom and laboratory training. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to select a school that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This is true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate programs so that you are sure to make the best choice. With the appropriate education and dedication you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Waukesha Wisconsin.

 

Waukesha Pharmacy Technician Schools | Waukesha Pharmacy Technician Training