Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Find the Best One Near Wausau Wisconsin

It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near Wausau WI in order to receive the right training to begin a career in the rewarding field of medicine. Usually the first step is to find schools that offer the degree or certificate that you would like to earn. When looking for pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are significant factors when choosing a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation must be evaluated as well. And if you are interested in studying at home in front of your computer instead of in a classroom, then finding an accredited online school will also be part of your vetting process. We will go over 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 the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Degree Programs

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are essentially two options to becoming a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a vocational 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 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 approved Wausau WI pharmacy or similar 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 provide a more expansive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program can provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

It is not required to earn certification in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech schools choose to become certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, many Wausau WI employers will only hire a tech that is certified. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requirements are that the candidate be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has completed 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 examination. Recertification is required every 2 years by each program, which may be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Colleges Online

Prior to deciding on a pharmacist technician online college, it's necessary to realize that most schools do require a portion of the training be completed in a clinical setting. This is usually satisfied in a local Wausau pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work with a seasoned pharmacy technician in order to receive some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training may be taken online in your Wausau WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for most students, particularly for those who continue to work while earning their degree or certificate. And online colleges are often more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and course materials may be reduced significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is critical for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online school you are reviewing 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 supervised form of education, then online training may be the right solution for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs

After you have decided whether you wish to earn a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist tech schools to pick from in the Wausau WI area and throughout the Country, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Wausau home. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other variables that you need to take into consideration so that you may adequately compare colleges. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Many pharmacist technician programs and vocational schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to offer a comprehensive superior education. Online colleges may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online learning. Make sure to verify that the degree or certificate program as well as the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Along with helping make sure that you get a quality education, it may assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Wausau WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.

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

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates a year of job experience for certification, which may 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 in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the programs have associations with Wausau WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Assistance? Securing that initial job in Wausau WI upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a challenging task without some assistance. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Wausau WI residence. Those who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even 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 often charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing 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 decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy tech school you finally pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Wausau WI area, verify that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Wausau

Enroll in the Best Wausau Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the best pharmacy tech training is an important first step to launching your career in a rewarding profession where helping people with their health is your mission. In the past, many pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". These days, the majority of employers can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is offered by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist technician programs include both classroom and laboratory training. As we have addressed in this article, it's important to enroll in a school that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This is true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional tips you will be able to compare schools so that you are certain to make the right choice. With the proper training and dedication you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Wausau Wisconsin.

 

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