Pharmacy Tech School
How to Choose the Best One Near Casper Wyoming

Now it’s time to choose and enroll in a pharmacy tech degree or certificate program near Casper WY so you can get 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 enroll in the right one? A number of prospective students start by looking for colleges that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are important concerns when picking a college, they are not the only ones. Job placement and intership programs in addition to accreditation are equally important if not more so as location and cost. You might also decide to research several accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifications and others that you will want to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's take a look at what a pharmacy tech does, the degree and certification options available, and the advantages of online classes.

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Pharmacy Tech Job Duties

Pharmacy technicians have many job functions, but their main duty is to dispense prescription medications. Because they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Casper WY pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service abilities because they will be interacting directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when preparing prescription medications per the pharmacist's directions. And they need to have a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may help customers with understanding instructions for their medications as well as other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no situation should they ever provide medical advice regarding prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions would be handled by the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily functions a pharmacy tech may perform are:

• Greet and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Fill prescription drugs under pharmacist supervision
• Add customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
• Phone customers when their prescriptions are prepared for pick-up
• Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and manage inventory

Due to the nature of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also very common, especially for newer technicians with lower seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or at times being required to work off-hours is a very satisfying career helping customers with their health and wellness.

Pharmacy Technician Certificates and Degrees

Individuals desiring to enroll in a pharmacy technician program are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically two options to training to be a tech whether you enroll in a community college or a trade school. The first is to attain a diploma or a certificate, which typically can be finished in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the various facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and normally include classroom and lab training. A number of programs also include an internship at an approved Casper WY pharmacy or similar 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 offer a more comprehensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Either program can provide the proper amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam should the graduate choose to become certified.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Choices

It is not required to earn certification in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech programs elect to get certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Additionally, a number of Casper WY pharmacies will only hire a tech that has earned certification. There are 2 organizations that provide 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 completed 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 examination. Recertification is mandated every 2 years by both programs, which may be met by performing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Technician Classes Online

Before deciding on a pharmacist tech 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 usually fulfilled in an area Casper pharmacy or hospital by means of an internship program. Students often will have the opportunity to work under an experienced pharmacy technician in order to receive some real world experience. Fortunately the balance or non-clinical training can be taken online in your Casper WY home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for many students, especially for those who continue to work while attaining their degree or certificate. And online schools are sometimes less expensive than traditional options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and course materials can be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a complete education is offered. But not all online schools are accredited, which is important for obtaining certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So verify that any online program you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting organization, for example the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to study with a less structured form of education, then online instruction may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges

Once you have decided whether you want to earn a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school options. There are numerous pharmacy technician schools to select from in the Casper WY area and throughout the United States, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Casper residence. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are several other factors that you must consider so that you may effectively compare colleges. The questions below will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Most pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to provide a complete quality education. Online schools may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online education. Be sure to verify that the degree or certificate program in addition to the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides helping ensure that you get a superior education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Casper WY employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.

Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but numerous employers desire that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacy technician college needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of job experience. This qualification may be satisfied by entering a school sponsored internship program.

Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of professional experience for certification, which can be fulfilled through an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire 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 in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the schools have associations with Casper WY area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.

Does the College Provide Job Placement Help? Finding that first position in Casper WY after graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a difficult undertaking without some support. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can place graduates.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they decide on will need to be within driving distance of their Casper WY home. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering 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 converse with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacist tech college you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Casper WY area, verify that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Learn More about How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Casper

Choose the Best Casper Pharmacy Tech School

Getting the best pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to launching your career in a rewarding profession where assisting people with their wellness is your mission. Traditionally, many pharmacy technicians were taught "on the job". These days, the majority of pharmacies can no longer operate this way and much prefer to hire formally educated techs. Training is furnished by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. A large number of pharmacist technician programs include both laboratory and classroom training. As we have covered in this article, it's necessary to choose a program that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This holds true both for classes online as well as for those attended on campus. If you follow our additional suggestions you will be able to compare schools so that you are sure to make the right choice. With the appropriate training and determination you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Casper Wyoming.

 

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