Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Enroll In the Right One Near Whitefish Bay Wisconsin

Having decided to attain your pharmacy tech certificate or degree near Whitefish Bay WI, you may be wondering just how to pick the right school to receive your education and training. But just how do you go about comparing and evaluating colleges so that you ultimately enroll in the ideal one? When looking for pharmacy technician schools, many potential students start 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 sole ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation must be evaluated as well. And if you prefer studying at home in front of your computer instead of in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online college will also be part of your vetting process. We will go over these qualifications and others that you will need to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the degree and certification options available, and the benefits of online classes.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below

Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

Pharmacy technicians have various job functions, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must work under the management of a licensed Whitefish Bay WI pharmacist. They must also have good customer service skills since they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when filling prescription medications per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they may help customers with understanding instructions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice concerning medications or anything else. Any such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. A few of the regular daily tasks a pharmacy tech might perform are:

• Welcome and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Dispense prescription drugs under pharmacist guidance
• Add customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Contact customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and control inventory

Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, especially for newer technicians with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes having to work off-hours is a very rewarding career helping people with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Tech Certificates and Degrees

Individuals wishing 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 tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be completed in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and usually include classroom and lab training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Whitefish Bay WI pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally involves about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more in depth education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education down the road. Either program can furnish the necessary level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to become certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certification Options

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but many graduates of pharmacy tech schools elect to become certified in order to be more qualified in the job market. Also, many Whitefish Bay WI pharmacies will only hire a tech that is certified. There are two 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 finished a training program, and has at least one year of work experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by each program, which can be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Online Classes

Before choosing a pharmacy tech online college, it's necessary to realize that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be completed in a clinical environment. This is typically satisfied in an area Whitefish Bay pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy tech in order to get some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken online in your Whitefish Bay WI home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for most students, notably for those who continue to work while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online programs are often less expensive than classroom options. Tuition and costs for driving and study materials may be reduced significantly. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online program you are reviewing is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online training may be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

Once you have decided whether you would like to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy technician schools to choose from in the Whitefish Bay WI area and throughout the Country, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Whitefish Bay home. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are many other factors that you need to consider in order to adequately compare programs. The questions below will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.

Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Most pharmacy tech colleges and vocational schools have obtained 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 evaluated and verified to furnish a complete quality education. Online programs may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Be sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program together with the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. In addition to helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it may help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Whitefish Bay WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the College Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but a number of pharmacies prefer that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacist technician college should prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This condition can be fulfilled by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates a year of job experience for certification, which may be met by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Find out if the schools have associations with Whitefish Bay WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Getting that initial job in Whitefish Bay WI upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a difficult endeavor without some support. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial 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 have to be within driving distance of their Whitefish Bay WI home. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes 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 bear in mind is that if you choose 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 commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician college you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Whitefish Bay WI area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol 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 Whitefish Bay

Enroll in the Best Whitefish Bay Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the ideal pharmacy technician training is an important first step to beginning your career in a fulfilling occupation where helping people with their wellness is your mission. Traditionally, most pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacies can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is furnished by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist technician programs incorporate both classroom and clinical work. As we have covered in this article, it's important to select a college that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This is true both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our other suggestions you will be able to compare schools so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the appropriate education and determination you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Whitefish Bay Wisconsin.

 

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