Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Wausau Wisconsin

Having decided to attain your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near Wausau WI, you might be pondering how to pick the right college to receive your education and training. Of course the first step is to locate colleges that offer the certificate or degree that you are interested in. When checking out pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While tuition and location are significant factors when choosing a college, they are not the sole ones. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. And if you are interested in studying at home by means of your computer instead of in a classroom, then finding an accredited online program will also be included in your vetting process. We will go over these qualifications and others that you will want to include when reviewing 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 benefits of online classes.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

Pharmacy techs have many job duties, but their principal responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed Wausau WI pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service abilities since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may assist customers with understanding directions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice pertaining to prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. A few of the typical daily tasks a pharmacy tech may perform are:

• Welcome and help customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Fill prescription medicines under pharmacist guidance
• Add customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Re-supply shelves and audit and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, especially for newer techs with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work off-hours is an extremely rewarding career helping people with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Diplomas

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally two alternatives to becoming a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which normally can be finished in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also require an internship at an accepted Wausau WI pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally requires about 2 years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more in depth education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program can furnish the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician schools opt to become certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, a number of Wausau WI employers will only hire a tech that has earned certification. There are two organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the applicant be 18 years or older, be a high school graduate, 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 mandated every 2 years by each program, which can be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Programs Online

Before choosing a pharmacist tech online school, it's necessary to realize that the majority of programs do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is commonly fulfilled in a local Wausau pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy tech in order to acquire some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be taken online in your Wausau WI home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for many students, particularly for those who keep working while attaining their degree or certificate. And online programs are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and costs for commuting and study materials can 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 securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online school you are considering is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less supervised form of education, then online classes may be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools

After you have determined whether you want to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are many pharmacist technician programs to choose from in the Wausau WI area and throughout the Country, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Wausau residence. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are several other factors that you must take into consideration in order to properly compare programs. The questions below will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Many pharmacy tech programs and vocational schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to furnish a comprehensive superior education. Online colleges may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance education. Make sure to check that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. In addition to helping make sure that you obtain a quality education, it might help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And many 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 required in every state, but a number of pharmacies desire that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacist tech college should ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of professional experience. This qualification may be satisfied by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires one year of experience for certification, which can be fulfilled through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation 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 College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first position in Wausau WI upon graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a challenging endeavor without any help. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can refer graduates.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they select will have to be within travelling distance of their Wausau WI home. Students who have decided 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 concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program 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 often charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacy tech school you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Wausau WI area, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Find Out More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Wausau

Enroll in the Right Wausau Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the right pharmacy technician training is an important first step to launching your career in a rewarding occupation where assisting people with their wellness is your mission. Traditionally, many pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". These days, most employers can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated techs. Training is offered by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacy technician schools incorporate both classroom and clinical work. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to choose a school that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This applies both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to compare schools so that you are sure to make the ideal choice. With the appropriate training and determination you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Wausau Wisconsin.

 

Wausau Pharmacy Tech Certificate | Wausau Pharmacy Technician Schools