Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Find the Right One Near Waunakee Wisconsin

Having decided to attain your pharmacy technician degree or certificate near Waunakee WI, you might be thinking about just how to choose the best program to get your education and training. But just how do you go about evaluating and comparing colleges so that you subsequently pick the right one? A number of potential students start by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are critical concerns when deciding on a college, they are not the only ones. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are just as important if not more so as location and cost. You may also want to look into some accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifiers and some others that you will need 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 advantages of online programs.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Duties

Pharmacy technicians have various job functions, but their primary responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Waunakee WI pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription medications per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they may assist customers with understanding directions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice concerning prescriptions or anything else. All such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the common daily duties a pharmacy technician might carry out are:

• Greet and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Fill prescription medicines under pharmacist supervision
• Enter prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and manage inventory

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, especially for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally having to work off-hours is a very satisfying career assisting customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees and Certificates

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically 2 alternatives 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 typically can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs offer an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also include an internship at an accepted Waunakee WI pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which generally takes about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more comprehensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program should furnish the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Available

Certification is not required in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician programs elect to get certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, many Waunakee WI pharmacies will only employ a tech 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 applicant 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 two years by both programs, which may be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Classes

Before choosing a pharmacist tech online school, it's necessary to understand that the majority of schools do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is commonly satisfied in an area Waunakee pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy tech in order to get some real world experience. However the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online in your Waunakee WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for many students, notably for those who keep working while earning their degree or certificate. And online programs are sometimes more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and course materials can be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online school you are reviewing is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online training might be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges

After you have determined whether you want to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy tech schools to choose from in the Waunakee WI area and throughout the USA, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Waunakee home. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are many other issues that you should consider in order to adequately compare programs. The following questions will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Most pharmacist tech programs and trade schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to offer a comprehensive quality education. Online schools may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Don't forget to confirm that the degree or certificate program in addition to the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it may help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And many Waunakee WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the College Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but many pharmacies prefer that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech program needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This condition can be met by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires one year of professional experience for certification, which may be satisfied by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the colleges have a working relationship with Waunakee WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Help? Finding that initial job in Waunakee WI upon graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a daunting endeavor without any support. Find out if the schools you are researching have job assistance programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Waunakee WI residence. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry 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 be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one 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 ultimate decision. 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 also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacy technician program you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Waunakee WI area, verify that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Find Out More about How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Waunakee

Enroll in the Right Waunakee Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the right pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to starting your career in a rewarding profession where assisting customers with their health is your mission. In the past, most pharmacy techs were trained "on the job". These days, most pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is provided by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy tech colleges incorporate both clinical and classroom training. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to select a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This holds true both for online classes and 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 best choice. With the proper education and determination you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Waunakee Wisconsin.

 

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