Pharmacy Tech College
How to Pick the Best One Near Gillette Wyoming
It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy tech certificate or degree program near Gillette WY in order to get the right training to begin a career in the rewarding profession of medicine. Naturally the initial step is to find schools that offer the degree or certificate that you are interested in. A number of future students begin by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are critical factors when selecting a college, they are not the sole ones. Qualifiers including accreditation and reputation should be evaluated also. You might also decide to look into some accredited online pharmacy tech programs as an option to attending classes on campus. We will cover these qualifiers and some others that you will want to include when comparing pharmacy technician schools. But to begin with, let's take a look at what a pharmacy technician does, the certificate and degree options available, and the advantages of online classes.
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Pharmacy Tech Job Duties
Pharmacy technicians 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 Gillette WY pharmacist. They must also have excellent customer service abilities because they will be dealing directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be accurate when filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terms so that they may help customers with understanding instructions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no situation should they ever offer medical advice concerning medications or anything else. Any such questions would be addressed by the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily services a pharmacy technician might perform are:
- Receive and help customers with medications and other questions
- Dispense prescription drugs under pharmacist supervision
- Input prescription and customer data into pharmacy computer system
- Phone customers when their medications are ready for pick-up
- Complete and submit customer insurance claim forms
- Stock shelves and audit and manage inventory
Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day standing. And working weekends and evenings is also very common, particularly for newer techs with low seniority. But the reward for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally having to work after hours is an extremely rewarding career helping people with their health and wellness.
Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Diplomas
Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified as long as they have a high school diploma or a GED. There are basically two alternatives to training to be 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 completed in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. Numerous programs also include an internship at an accepted Gillette WY pharmacy or similar facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which usually involves about 2 years of studies. Although not required for most entry level positions, it does provide a more comprehensive education and can lead to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program can furnish the necessary amount of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate decide to become certified.
Pharmacy Tech Certification Options
Certification is not required in every state, but numerous graduates of pharmacy technician programs choose to become certified so as to be more competitive when seeking employment. Additionally, a number of Gillette WY employers will only employ a tech 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 18 years or older, 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 graduated high school and passes their examination. Recertification is required every 2 years by each program, which can be met by completing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Tech Schools Online
Prior to selecting a pharmacist technician online school, it's important to understand that most schools do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is usually satisfied in an area Gillette pharmacy or hospital through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the benefit of working under a seasoned pharmacy technician so as to get some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training can be taken online in your Gillette WY home or via any available computer. This option is more accommodating for most students, especially for those who keep working while attaining their certificate or degree. And online colleges are frequently more affordable than traditional options. Tuition and expenses for driving and study materials can be decreased substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is provided. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important for obtaining employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So check that any online program you are looking at is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to learn with a less formal type of education, then online classes might be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools
Once you have determined whether you would like to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist tech schools to select from in the Gillette WY area and throughout the Country, so you should 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 colleges that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Gillette home. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are many other issues that you need to take into consideration in order to properly compare colleges. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final selection.
Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Many pharmacist technician colleges and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to provide a complete superior education. Online colleges may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance education. Be sure to verify that the degree or certificate program in addition to the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Besides helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it might assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And many Gillette WY pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the Program Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but a number of pharmacies prefer that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacist technician program needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of job experience. This qualification can be met by participating in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates one year of experience for certification, which may be satisfied with an internship program. One of the best ways to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Find out if the colleges have associations with Gillette WY area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Securing that first job in Gillette WY upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some support. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of employer contacts where it can place graduating students.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the school they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Gillette WY residence. 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 local internships will be of importance. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacist technician college you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Gillette WY area, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family obligations.
Learn More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Gillette
Enroll in the Best Gillette Pharmacy Tech School
Getting the right pharmacy technician training is a critical first step to launching your career in a gratifying occupation where assisting customers with their wellness is your purpose. In the past, many pharmacist techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most pharmacists can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is offered by technical colleges, vocational and trade schools, as well as community colleges. The majority of pharmacist tech programs incorporate both classroom and laboratory training. 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 is true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our additional tips you will be able to compare colleges so that you are certain to make the right choice. With the appropriate education and dedication you can reach your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Gillette Wyoming.
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