Pharmacy Tech Training Program
How to Pick the Right One Near West Bend Wisconsin

Now that you have decided to earn your pharmacy tech degree or certificate near West Bend WI, you might be pondering how to choose the best college to get your education and training. But just how do you undertake evaluating and comparing schools so that you ultimately pick the best one? When checking out pharmacy technician schools, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are critical concerns when deciding on a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers including reputation and accreditation need to be evaluated also. And if you prefer studying at home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online school will also be included in your vetting process. We will cover 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 tech does, the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online courses.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

Pharmacy technicians have numerous job responsibilities, but their principal responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must operate under the management of a licensed West Bend WI pharmacist. They must also have great customer service skills since they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may help customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no situation should they ever give medical advice relating to medications or anything else. Any such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. Several of the common daily services a pharmacy technician might perform are:

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

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day on their feet. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, especially for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work after hours is a very gratifying career assisting people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Degrees and Diplomas

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 becoming a technician 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 accomplished in a year or less. These programs present an overview to the various elements of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also require an internship at an approved West Bend WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally involves about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more extensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education down the road. Each program should provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy technician programs opt to become certified in order to be more qualified when seeking employment. Additionally, many West Bend WI pharmacies will only hire a technician that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that provide certification:

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

The NHA requires that the candidate be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every two years by both programs, which may be satisfied by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Schools Online

Prior to selecting a pharmacist tech online college, it's necessary to understand that the majority of programs do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is typically satisfied in an area West Bend pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work under a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to receive some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be taken online in your West Bend WI home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for most students, particularly for those who continue to work while earning their degree or certificate. And online schools are sometimes more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and costs 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 schools are accredited, which is essential for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that each 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 structured form of education, then online training might be the right option for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

After you have decided whether you would like to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy technician schools to select from in the West Bend WI area and throughout the United States, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your West Bend residence. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are many other factors that you must consider in order to properly compare programs. The questions below will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your final choice.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacist technician programs and vocational schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to provide a complete superior education. Online schools may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online learning. 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. Besides helping ensure that you get a quality education, it can assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many West Bend WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but a number of employers prefer that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacy technician college should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of work experience. This qualification may be fulfilled by participating in a school sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates a year of experience for certification, which can be fulfilled with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the schools have associations with West Bend WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Finding that first position in West Bend WI after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a daunting endeavor without any support. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduates.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they select will need to be within commuting distance of their West Bend WI home. 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. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the average 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 some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacist tech program you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the West Bend WI area, make certain that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in West Bend

Choose the Right West Bend Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the right pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to beginning your career in a rewarding profession where helping people with their wellness is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacist technicians were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated technicians. Training is provided by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacy tech programs incorporate both classroom and laboratory training. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to select a college that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate schools so that you are certain to make the best choice. With the proper education and commitment you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy tech in West Bend Wisconsin.

 

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