Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Enroll In the Best One Near West Bend Wisconsin

It’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near West Bend WI so you can receive the right training to build a career in the rewarding profession of medicine. But just how do you undertake comparing and evaluating colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the right one? When checking out pharmacy technician programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While tuition and location are significant factors when picking a college, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers including reputation and accreditation need to be evaluated also. And if you prefer attending classes at home in front of your computer as opposed to in a classroom, then finding an accredited online college will also be included in your vetting process. We will go over these qualifiers and some others that you will want 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 benefits of online classes.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Description

Pharmacy techs have numerous job responsibilities, but their main responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the supervision of a licensed West Bend WI pharmacist. They must also have great customer service abilities because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when preparing prescription medications per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they can help customers with understanding directions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice relating to medications or anything else. All such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. A few of the typical daily functions a pharmacy technician might perform are:

• Welcome and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Prepare prescription medications under pharmacist direction
• Input customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their medications are prepared for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and audit and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also very common, particularly for newer techs with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work after hours is an extremely fulfilling career assisting customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Tech Diplomas and Degrees

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally two options to becoming a technician whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be completed in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also require an internship at an accepted West Bend WI pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which usually requires about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more expansive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program should provide the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered

Certification is not required in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech schools choose to get certified in order to be more competitive when seeking employment. Also, a number of West Bend WI pharmacies will only employ 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 applicant be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has completed a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their examination. Recertification is called for every 2 years by each program, which can be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Programs Online

Before deciding on a pharmacist technician online program, it's necessary to realize that the majority of programs do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is usually satisfied in a local West Bend pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to receive some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online in your West Bend WI home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for most students, especially for those who keep working while attaining their certificate or degree. And online schools are frequently less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and expenses for commuting and course materials may be decreased significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online college you are reviewing is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less supervised form of education, then online instruction may be the ideal solution for you.

Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools

After you have determined whether you would like to obtain a degree or a certificate, 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 numerous pharmacist tech programs to choose from in the West Bend WI area and throughout the United States, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for programs that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your West Bend residence. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are several other variables that you need to take into consideration so that you may adequately compare programs. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? The majority of pharmacist tech programs and trade schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. One of 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 furnish a comprehensive superior education. Online colleges may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Don't forget to verify that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it may assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And many West Bend WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but a number of employers desire that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacist tech school should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of work experience. This qualification may be met by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of job experience for certification, which can be fulfilled through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the schools have a working relationship with West Bend WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Securing that initial job in West Bend WI upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a challenging undertaking without some assistance. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of employer relationships where it can place graduating students.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they select will need to be within travelling distance of their West Bend WI home. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacist tech program you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the West Bend WI area, make sure that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in West Bend

Choose the Best West Bend Pharmacy Tech Program

Finding the ideal pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to starting your career in a gratifying occupation where helping customers with their wellness is your purpose. Traditionally, many pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". Nowadays, most employers can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally educated techs. Training is offered by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist tech schools incorporate both classroom and clinical work. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to enroll in a program that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This holds true both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other tips you will be able to compare schools so that you are sure to make the right choice. With the proper training and dedication you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy tech in West Bend Wisconsin.

 

West Bend Pharmacy Technician Programs | West Bend Pharmacy Technician Classes