Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Wausau Wisconsin

Having made the decision to earn your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Wausau WI, you might be pondering just how to select the right school to receive your education and training. Usually the first step is to locate colleges that offer the diploma or degree that you would like to earn. When checking out pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are critical factors when choosing a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be considered as well. You may also want to look into a few accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will go over these qualifications and others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at the diploma and degree options available, and the advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Diplomas and Degrees

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech program are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are essentially two options to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be completed in a year or less. These programs offer an introduction to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Wausau WI pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which normally requires about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more in depth 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 Exam should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician colleges opt to get certified in order to be more qualified in the job market. Also, many Wausau WI employers will only employ a technician that is certified. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the applicant 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 candidate has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is required every two years by each program, which may be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Classes Online

Prior to deciding on a pharmacist tech online school, it's necessary to understand that most programs do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is commonly fulfilled in an area Wausau pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy tech in order to get some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be taken over the internet in your Wausau WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for many students, especially for those who continue to work while earning their certificate or degree. And online schools are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and study materials can be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that any online college you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online classes may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges

Once you have decided whether you want to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacy tech schools to select from in the Wausau 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 covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for schools that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Wausau home. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other factors that you should take into consideration so that you may properly compare schools. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? The majority of pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a complete quality education. Online schools may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance education. Be sure to verify that the degree or certificate program in addition to the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. In addition to helping ensure that you get a quality education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Wausau WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but a number of pharmacies prefer that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacist tech college should ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of job experience. This requirement may be satisfied by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of professional experience for certification, which may be fulfilled 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 technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with Wausau WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Getting that initial job in Wausau WI upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a difficult task without any support. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduates.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Wausau WI residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician college you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Wausau WI area, verify that they are available. 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 carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Wausau

Choose the Best Wausau Pharmacy Tech Program

Getting the ideal pharmacy tech training is an important first step to launching your career in a fulfilling occupation where helping customers with their wellness is your objective. In the past, most pharmacy techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is furnished by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist tech schools incorporate both classroom and laboratory training. As we have addressed in this article, it's necessary to select a program that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other suggestions you will be able to compare colleges so that you are sure to make the best selection. With the right training and dedication you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Wausau Wisconsin.

 

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