Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Find the Best One Near Waunakee Wisconsin

Having decided to earn your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Waunakee WI, you might be pondering how to choose the ideal program to get your education and training. Usually the initial step is to find colleges that offer the degree or diploma that you are interested in. A number of potential students start by searching for colleges that are within commuting distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While cost and location are significant concerns when choosing a college, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers including accreditation and reputation need to be taken into account as well. You might also decide to take a look at several accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifiers and others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online courses.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Duties

Pharmacy technicians have numerous job functions, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed Waunakee WI pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities because they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they can assist customers with understanding directions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice pertaining to prescriptions or anything else. All such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily functions a pharmacy tech might carry out are:

• Receive and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Fill prescription medications under pharmacist supervision
• Add prescription and customer information 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 monitor and control inventory

As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings 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 a very satisfying career helping customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Training Programs

Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally 2 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 certificate or a diploma, which normally can be accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also require an internship at an accepted Waunakee WI pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative 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 extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program should furnish the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech colleges opt to become certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Additionally, many Waunakee WI pharmacies will only employ a tech 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 at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has completed 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 examination. Recertification is required every 2 years by each program, which may be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Programs

Before choosing a pharmacist tech online training program, it's important to realize that most programs do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is usually satisfied in a local Waunakee pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy technician in order to get some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed over the internet in your Waunakee WI home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for most students, notably for those who keep working while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online programs are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for driving and course materials may be decreased substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that each online college you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online classes may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges

Once you have decided whether you wish to attain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are numerous pharmacy tech colleges to choose from in the Waunakee 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 addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for schools that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Waunakee residence. If you are willing 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 so that you may properly compare schools. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Most pharmacy tech programs and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance education. Don't forget to verify that the degree or certificate program in addition to the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you get a superior education, it might assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Waunakee WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the College Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but numerous employers prefer that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacist technician school needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of work experience. This requirement can be satisfied by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires a year of experience for certification, which can be satisfied with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the colleges have a working relationship with Waunakee WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Finding that initial job in Waunakee WI after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a difficult task without some 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 an excellent reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they choose will have to be within driving distance of their Waunakee WI residence. Students who have decided 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 concern. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally 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 likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacy tech college you finally select can offer 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 available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Waunakee

Choose the Right Waunakee Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the right pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to beginning your career in a fulfilling occupation where helping customers with their health is your purpose. Traditionally, many pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". These days, most employers can no longer operate this way 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 technician programs include both laboratory and classroom training. As we have addressed in this article, it's important to enroll in a program 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 other tips you will be able to compare programs so that you are sure to make the best selection. With the proper training and determination you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Waunakee Wisconsin.

 

Waunakee Pharmacy Tech Schools | Waunakee How To Become A Pharmacy Tech