Pharmacy Tech Program
How to Find the Best One Near Whitewater Wisconsin
Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near Whitewater WI so you can receive the proper training to build a career in the rewarding field of medicine. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing schools so that you subsequently pick the ideal one? Many future students start by looking for schools that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the tuitions. While cost and location are important factors when selecting a school, they are not the sole ones. Job placement and intership programs as well as accreditation are just as important if not more so as cost and location. You might also want to take a look at a few accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifiers and some 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 technician does, the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online courses.
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Pharmacy Tech Job Duties
Pharmacy techs have multiple job duties, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must work under the supervision of a licensed Whitewater 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 filling prescription medications per the pharmacist's instructions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they may assist customers with understanding instructions for their prescriptions as well as other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no situation should they ever give medical advice relating to prescriptions or anything else. All such questions should be handled by the pharmacist. A few of the regular daily functions a pharmacy technician may perform are:
- Welcome and help customers with medications and other questions
- Fill prescription medicines under pharmacist supervision
- Enter prescription and customer information into pharmacy computer system
- Call customers when their medications 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 job, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, particularly for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally having to work after hours is an extremely fulfilling career assisting people with their health and well-being.
Pharmacy Technician Diplomas and Degrees
Students 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 alternatives to becoming a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to earn a diploma or a certificate, which usually can be finished in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include lab and classroom training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an approved Whitewater WI pharmacy or similar facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which normally requires about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does offer a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program should provide the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.
Pharmacy Technician Certification Options
It is not required to earn certification in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy technician schools elect to become certified in order to be more competitive in the job market. Also, a number of Whitewater WI pharmacies will only employ a tech that is certified. There are two organizations that offer certification:
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
The NHA requirements are that the applicant be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate, has finished a training program, and has one or more years of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is required every two years by each program, which can be fulfilled by performing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Tech Online Colleges
Prior to deciding on a pharmacy technician online program, it's necessary to understand that the majority of schools do require a portion of the training be conducted in a clinical setting. This is typically satisfied in a local Whitewater pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy tech so as to obtain some real world experience. Fortunately the non-clinical portion of the training can be taken online in your Whitewater WI home or via any available computer. This option is more convenient for many students, especially for those who continue to work while attaining their degree or certificate. And online schools are often less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and course materials may be decreased significantly. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is critical for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online college you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less supervised form of education, then online instruction may be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges
Once you have determined whether you would like to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist technician schools to select from in the Whitewater WI area and throughout the USA, 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 commuting distance from your Whitewater home. 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 should consider in order to effectively compare schools. The questions below will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your final choice.
Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Many pharmacy tech colleges and trade schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to furnish a complete quality education. Online colleges may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance learning. Don't forget to confirm that the degree or certificate program in addition to the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Besides helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it can assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Whitewater WI pharmacies 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 technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist technician college should prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of work experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by entering 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 satisfied through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Ask if the programs have associations with Whitewater WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the School Offer Job Placement Help? Finding that initial position in Whitewater WI after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a difficult task without any support. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can place graduates.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the school they select will have to be within travelling distance of their Whitewater WI home. Those who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have 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.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacist tech college you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Whitewater WI area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.
Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Whitewater
Choose the Best Whitewater Pharmacy Tech School
Finding the best pharmacy tech training is an important first step to beginning your career in a rewarding occupation where helping customers with their wellness is your purpose. In the past, most pharmacy techs were taught "on the job". These days, most pharmacists can no longer operate this way and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained techs. Training is offered by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacy tech programs include both classroom and clinical work. As we have addressed in this article, it's important to enroll in a school that is accredited and will ready you for certification. This applies both for online classes and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional tips you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are certain to make the right choice. With the proper education and commitment you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Whitewater Wisconsin.
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