Pharmacy Tech Certificate Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Whitewater Wisconsin
Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Whitewater WI in order to receive the proper training to build a career in the rewarding field of healthcare. Usually the first step is to locate colleges that offer the diploma or degree that you are interested in. A number of future students begin by looking for colleges that are within commuting distance of their residence, and then comparing the tuitions. While tuition and location are important concerns when choosing a school, they are not the sole ones. Qualifications including reputation and accreditation should be taken into account also. And if you prefer attending classes in your home by means of your computer instead of in a classroom, then finding an accredited online program will also be included in your vetting process. We will cover these qualifications and others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online courses.
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Pharmacy Tech Job Description
Pharmacy techs have numerous job responsibilities, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must work under the supervision of a licensed Whitewater WI pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service skills since they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be absolute when preparing prescription medicines per the pharmacist's instructions. And they need to have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they may assist customers with understanding instructions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. On the other hand, under no circumstance should they ever provide medical advice regarding medications or anything else. All such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the common daily tasks a pharmacy tech may carry out are:
- Greet and help customers with medications and other questions
- Dispense prescription medicines under pharmacist guidance
- Enter customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
- Call customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
- Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
- Stock shelves and audit and manage inventory
As a consequence of their profession, pharmacy techs will spend the majority of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also typical, particularly for newer techs with lower seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or at times having to work off-hours is an extremely rewarding career assisting customers with their health and wellness.
Pharmacy Technician Degree Programs
Individuals wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech school are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are essentially 2 options to becoming a tech regardless if 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 offer an introduction to the various aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also include an internship at an approved Whitewater WI pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which generally takes about two years of studies. Although not needed 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 furnish the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate decide to get certified.
Pharmacy Tech Certification Choices
Certification is not required in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician schools elect to get certified so as to be more qualified when seeking employment. Also, a number of Whitewater WI pharmacies will only employ a technician that has earned certification. There are two organizations that offer certification:
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
The NHA requirements are that the candidate be 18 years or older, has graduated from high school, has completed a training program, and has one or more years of work experience. The PTCB just requires that the candidate has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is mandated every two years by each program, which may be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Tech Online Colleges
Before choosing a pharmacy technician online program, it's important to understand that most programs do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is typically fulfilled in an area Whitewater pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working with a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to obtain some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be accessed over the internet in your Whitewater WI home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for most students, especially for those who keep working while acquiring their degree or certificate. And online programs are often less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials may be reduced significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential 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 formal type of education, then online instruction may be the best option for you.
Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges
After 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 start to narrow your school options. There are many pharmacist tech programs to pick from in the Whitewater WI area and throughout the United States, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Whitewater home. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other issues that you must take into consideration in order to adequately compare schools. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Most pharmacy tech colleges and trade schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to offer a complete quality education. Online schools may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Make sure to check that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides helping make sure that you get a quality education, it might help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Whitewater WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but numerous pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacist technician school needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This condition can be satisfied by entering a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates 1 year of professional experience for certification, which can be fulfilled through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Find out if the colleges have a working relationship with Whitewater WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the College Offer Job Placement Help? Finding that first position in Whitewater WI upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a difficult undertaking without some assistance. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance 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 generating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduating students.
Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Whitewater WI home. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently 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 student that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program also.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician school you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Whitewater WI area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Whitewater
Enroll in the Best Whitewater Pharmacy Tech Program
Finding the ideal pharmacy technician training is a crucial first step to starting your career in a gratifying occupation where assisting people with their wellness is your purpose. Traditionally, most pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, the majority of employers can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is furnished by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacist tech schools include both classroom and laboratory training. As we have discussed in this article, it's essential to select a school that is accredited and will prep you for certification. This applies both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you follow our other suggestions you will be able to compare colleges so that you are sure to make the ideal selection. With the appropriate education and commitment you can achieve your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Whitewater Wisconsin.
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