Pharmacy Tech School
How to Select the Best One Near Wausau Wisconsin

Having made the decision to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near Wausau WI, you may be wondering how to select the ideal school to get your education and training. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating schools so that you subsequently pick the right one? When checking out pharmacy technician schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are important factors when deciding on a school, they are not the sole ones. Internship and job placement programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. You might also want to take a look at a few accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifications and others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at what a pharmacy technician does, the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

Pharmacy technicians have many job functions, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed Wausau WI pharmacist. They must also have great customer service abilities since they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when preparing prescription medications per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology so that they can help customers with understanding instructions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice concerning medications or anything else. All such questions should be addressed by the pharmacist. Several of the regular daily services a pharmacy technician might carry out are:

• Receive and assist customers with medications and other questions
• Prepare prescription medications under pharmacist guidance
• Add prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and monitor and control inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, particularly for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes being required to work off-hours is an extremely gratifying career assisting customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Training Programs

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally 2 alternatives to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. Many programs also include an internship at an accepted Wausau WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which normally requires about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does furnish a more expansive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program should provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Options

Certification is not required in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician colleges elect to get certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Also, a number of Wausau WI employers will only employ a technician that is certified. There are 2 organizations that offer certification:

• National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

The NHA requirements are that the candidate be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has at least one year 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 can be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Online Schools

Before deciding on a pharmacy technician online training program, it's necessary to realize that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is commonly satisfied in a local Wausau pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working with an experienced pharmacy tech so as to obtain some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed over the internet in your Wausau WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more convenient for many students, notably for those who keep working while earning their certificate or degree. And online schools are sometimes less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and costs for driving and study materials may be reduced substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is essential for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online school you are reviewing is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online training might be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

After you have decided whether you wish to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school options. There are many pharmacist tech schools to select from in the Wausau WI area and throughout the Country, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for programs that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Wausau residence. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be critical. But there are many other issues that you need to take into consideration so that you may effectively compare programs. The questions below will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? The majority of pharmacy tech 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). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online colleges may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance education. Make sure to confirm that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Along with helping make sure that you get a quality education, it may help in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Wausau WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but numerous pharmacies prefer that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacist tech school should prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This requirement can be satisfied by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires a year of professional experience for certification, which can be satisfied by means of 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 tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Check if the programs have a working relationship with Wausau WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Securing that first position in Wausau WI after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some assistance. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their Wausau WI residence. Those who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you choose 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 often 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.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacist technician program you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Wausau 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 credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Find Out More on Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Wausau

Enroll in the Best Wausau Pharmacy Tech Program

Receiving the ideal pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a rewarding profession where helping people with their wellness is your mission. In the past, most pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is furnished by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacist tech schools include both clinical and classroom training. As we have covered in this article, it's important to enroll in a program that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other tips you will be able to compare programs so that you are certain to make the ideal selection. With the appropriate training and determination you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Wausau Wisconsin.

 

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