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

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near Wausau WI in order to receive the right training to build a career in the rewarding profession of medicine. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating colleges so that you ultimately pick the right one? Many prospective students begin by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are significant factors when choosing a school, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation should be taken into account also. You might also want to research a few accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifications and others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Responsibilities

Pharmacy technicians have many job duties, but their principal duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Wausau WI pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's directions. And they need to have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they can assist customers with understanding instructions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever give medical advice relating to prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the common daily duties a pharmacy technician may carry out are:

• Welcome and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription medicines under pharmacist supervision
• Enter customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and control inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, especially for newer techs with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work off-hours is an extremely fulfilling career helping customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees and Diplomas

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are generally 2 options to training to be a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs present an introduction to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an accepted Wausau WI pharmacy or other 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 furnish a more in depth education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program should provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices

Certification is not required in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician programs opt to become certified so as to be more competitive 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 requires that the candidate be 18 years or older, 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 applicant has graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is required every 2 years by both programs, which can be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Programs Online

Prior to choosing a pharmacist tech online college, it's necessary to understand that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is typically fulfilled in a local Wausau pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under an experienced pharmacy tech so as to receive some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training may be accessed over the internet in your Wausau WI home or via any available computer. This alternative is more accommodating for many students, notably for those who continue to work while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online colleges are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for driving and course materials may be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that any online school 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 study with a less structured form of education, then online classes might be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

Once you have decided whether you wish to attain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy technician programs to pick from in the Wausau WI area and throughout the Country, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Wausau residence. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are many other variables that you must take into consideration in order to adequately compare schools. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? The majority of pharmacist tech colleges 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 evaluated and verified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Don't forget to check that the degree or certificate program together with the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Besides helping make sure that you obtain a superior education, it might help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the training program 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 College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but a number of pharmacies desire that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacist technician program should prepare 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 qualification may be satisfied by entering a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates one year of experience for certification, which may be fulfilled by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Find out if the colleges have associations with Wausau WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Finding that first job in Wausau WI upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a difficult task without some support. Find out if the schools you are considering have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the field creating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduates.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the college they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Wausau WI residence. Students who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing 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 need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy technician college you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Wausau WI area, make certain that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Wausau

Choose the Best Wausau Pharmacy Tech School

Receiving the best pharmacy technician training is an important first step to launching your career in a fulfilling profession where helping people with their health is your mission. Traditionally, most pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacist technician schools include both clinical and classroom work. As we have covered in this article, it's essential to select a college that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This is true both for classes online and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional suggestions you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are sure to make the best choice. With the appropriate training and determination you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Wausau Wisconsin.

 

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