Pharmacy Tech Course
How to Choose the Right One Near Laramie Wyoming
It’s time to select and enroll in a pharmacy technician degree or certificate program near Laramie WY 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 colleges so that you subsequently enroll in the right one? Many prospective students start by looking for schools that are within commuting distance of their residence, and then comparing the cost. While cost and location are important concerns when picking a college, they are not the only ones. Qualifications including reputation and accreditation must be considered as well. You may also choose to research a few accredited pharmacy tech online programs as an alternative to attending classes on campus. We will address these qualifications and some others that you will need to include when reviewing pharmacy technician schools. But first, let's discuss what a pharmacy tech does, the diploma and degree options available, and the benefits of online programs.
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Pharmacy Tech Job Description
Pharmacy technicians have various job duties, but their primary responsibility is to dispense prescription medicines. Because they are not licensed, when filling prescriptions they must operate under the supervision of a licensed Laramie WY 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 filling prescription drugs per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an in-depth knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology in order that they can help customers with understanding instructions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical information and literature. However, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice pertaining to prescriptions or anything else. Any such questions would be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the regular daily functions a pharmacy tech might carry out are:
- Receive and help customers with medications and other questions
- Dispense prescription medicines under pharmacist guidance
- Enter customer and prescription information into pharmacy computer system
- Phone customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
- Prepare and submit customer insurance claim forms
- Stock shelves and monitor and manage inventory
Due to the nature of their profession, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day standing. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, particularly for newer technicians with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or sometimes being required to work off-hours is a very fulfilling career helping customers with their health and well-being.
Pharmacy Technician Diplomas and Degrees
Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy technician school are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are essentially two 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 normally can be finished in a year or less. These programs provide an introduction to the different facets of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and generally include lab and classroom training. A number of programs also require an internship at an approved Laramie WY pharmacy or other facility. The second alternative is the Associate Degree program which typically takes about 2 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 choose to get certified.
Pharmacy Technician Certifications Offered
Certification is not required in all states, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech colleges elect to get certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, many Laramie WY pharmacies will only employ a tech that has earned certification. There are two organizations that provide 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 professional experience. The PTCB just requires that the applicant has a high school diploma and passes their exam. Recertification is required every two years by each program, which may be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.
Pharmacy Technician Classes Online
Prior to choosing a pharmacy tech online program, it's important to understand that most schools do require that a substantial part of the training be carried out in a clinical environment. This is typically satisfied in an area Laramie pharmacy or health center by means of an internship program. Students often will have the benefit of working under an experienced pharmacy tech in order to obtain some work place experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be taken over the internet in your Laramie WY home or via any available computer. This alternative is more practical for most students, notably for those who continue to work while acquiring their certificate or degree. And online schools are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and expenditures for commuting and study materials can be reduced substantially. With both the clinical and the online training, a comprehensive education is offered. But not all online colleges are accredited, which is important for securing employment and certification (more on accreditation later). So verify that each online college you are considering is accredited by an acknowledged accrediting agency, for instance the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are disciplined enough to learn with a less structured form of education, then online training may be the best option for you.
What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools
After you have determined whether you would like to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are many pharmacist technician programs to pick from in the Laramie WY area and throughout the Country, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Laramie residence. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be critical. But there are many other issues that you should take into consideration in order to adequately compare programs. The questions below will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.
Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? The majority of pharmacist technician colleges and vocational schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to offer a comprehensive superior education. Online schools may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance learning. Make sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program together with the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping make sure that you obtain a quality education, it can assist in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And many Laramie WY employers 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 employers desire that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacy technician program should prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of professional experience. This condition may be fulfilled by entering a college sponsored internship program.
Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of professional experience for certification, which may be satisfied through an internship program. One of the best ways 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 prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Check if the programs have associations with Laramie WY area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the School Give Job Placement Help? Getting that first job in Laramie WY after graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a daunting endeavor without some help. Ask if the schools you are considering have job placement 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 field creating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of employer contacts where it can refer graduates.
Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Laramie WY residence. Students who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry 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 school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program also.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the pharmacist technician program you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Laramie WY area, verify that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.
Learn More on How to Become a Pharmacy Tech in Laramie
Enroll in the Best Laramie Pharmacy Tech Program
Getting the ideal pharmacy tech training is a crucial first step to launching your career in a fulfilling profession where assisting people with their wellness is your objective. In the past, most pharmacy techs were trained "on the job". Nowadays, most employers can no longer afford to do this and much prefer to hire formally trained technicians. Training is offered by vocational and trade schools, technical colleges as well as community colleges. Many pharmacist tech colleges include both laboratory and classroom work. 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 and for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other tips you will be able to compare programs so that you are sure to make the right choice. With the appropriate education and commitment you can realize your goal to become a pharmacy tech in Laramie Wyoming.
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