Pharmacy Tech College
How to Select the Best One Near Laramie Wyoming

Having decided to attain your pharmacy technician certificate or degree near Laramie WY, you might be thinking about just how to choose the ideal program to get your education and training. But just how do you approach evaluating and comparing schools so that you ultimately enroll in the best one? Many potential students begin by searching for schools that are within driving distance of their home, and then comparing the cost. While tuition and location are important factors when picking a school, they are not the only ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation need to be evaluated as well. And if you prefer attending classes in your home by means of your computer rather than in a classroom, then searching for an accredited online school will also be part of your vetting process. 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 technician does, the certificate and degree options available, and the benefits of online programs.

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Pharmacy Technician Job Description

Pharmacy techs have numerous job functions, but their primary duty is to dispense prescription medications. Since they are not licensed, when dispensing prescriptions they must perform under the management of a licensed Laramie WY pharmacist. They must also have good customer service abilities since they will be working directly with customers. Their attention to detail must be precise when preparing prescription drugs per the pharmacist's directions. And they must have an extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical terms in order that they may assist customers with understanding directions for their medications in addition to other pharmaceutical literature and information. However, under no circumstance should they ever offer medical advice pertaining to medications or anything else. All such questions should be directed to the pharmacist. Some of the typical daily functions a pharmacy technician might carry out are:

• Greet and assist customers with prescriptions and other questions
• Prepare prescription medications under pharmacist guidance
• Input customer and prescription data into pharmacy computer system
• Call customers when their prescriptions are ready for pick-up
• Fill out and submit customer insurance claim forms
• Stock shelves and monitor and manage inventory

As a consequence of their job, pharmacy technicians will spend most of their working day on their feet. And working evenings and weekends is also typical, especially for newer technicians with low seniority. But the payoff for occasional tired and aching feet or occasionally having to work off-hours is a very fulfilling career assisting customers with their health and well-being.

Pharmacy Technician Degrees and Certificates

Students wishing to enroll in a pharmacy tech college are qualified provided that they have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are generally two options to becoming a technician regardless if you enroll in a community college or a vocational school. The first is to earn a certificate or a diploma, which normally can be completed in a year or less. These programs provide an overview to the different aspects of pharmacology and pharmaceutical technology and typically include classroom and lab training. Many programs also require an internship at an approved Laramie WY pharmacy or other facility. The second option is the Associate Degree program which generally requires about two years of studies. Although not needed for most entry level positions, it does provide a more extensive education and opens doors to more advanced positions or education in the future. Each program can furnish the proper level of training to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination should the graduate choose to get certified.

Pharmacy Tech Certifications Available

Certification is not required in every state, but a large number of graduates of pharmacy tech schools choose to become certified so as to be more competitive in the job market. Also, many Laramie WY employers will only hire a technician 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 candidate be at least 18 years old, has graduated from high school, has finished a training program, and has at least one year of professional experience. The PTCB only requires that the applicant has graduated high school and passes their exam. Recertification is called for every 2 years by each program, which may be fulfilled by completing 20 hours of continuing education.

Pharmacy Tech Schools Online

Prior to choosing a pharmacist tech online college, it's necessary to realize that most programs do require a portion of the training be carried out in a clinical setting. This is usually satisfied in a local Laramie pharmacy or health center through an internship program. Students in most cases will have the opportunity to work with an experienced pharmacy tech so as to acquire some real world experience. However the balance or non-clinical training may be taken online in your Laramie WY home or via any available computer. This option is more practical for many students, particularly for those who continue to work while attaining their degree or certificate. And online schools are sometimes more affordable than classroom options. Tuition and costs for driving and study materials can be decreased substantially. With both the online and the clinical training, a complete education is offered. But not all online programs are accredited, which is essential for securing certification and employment (more on accreditation later). So confirm that any online school you are looking at is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). If you are dedicated enough to study with a less formal type of education, then online training might be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs

Once you have decided whether you would like to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are a large number of pharmacist tech schools to pick from in the Laramie WY area and throughout the USA, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Laramie residence. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other variables that you should consider so that you may effectively compare programs. The following questions will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.

Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Many pharmacist technician programs and trade schools have earned 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 offer a complete quality education. Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online learning. Make sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program together with the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Along with helping make sure that you get a superior education, it may help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate 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 Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many employers prefer that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech school needs to ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of job experience. This condition may be met by participating in a college sponsored internship program.

Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of experience for certification, which can be fulfilled by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work 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 meet the requirement. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with Laramie WY area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.

Does the College Offer Job Placement Help? Getting that first position in Laramie WY after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a daunting endeavor without some support. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduating students.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they choose will have to be within driving distance of their Laramie WY residence. Those who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for 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 prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy tech program you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Laramie WY area, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More about Becoming a Pharmacy Tech in Laramie

Enroll in the Right Laramie Pharmacy Tech School

Finding the best pharmacy tech training is a critical first step to launching your career in a rewarding occupation where helping customers with their wellness is your mission. In the past, most pharmacist technicians were trained "on the job". These days, most employers can no longer afford to do this and place a higher importance on hiring formally trained technicians. Training is provided by trade schools, vocational and technical colleges, as well as community colleges. Most pharmacy tech programs incorporate both laboratory and classroom work. As we have addressed in this article, it's essential to enroll in a school that is accredited and will prepare you for certification. This is true both for online classes as well as for those attended on campus. If you make use of our other suggestions you will be able to evaluate colleges so that you are sure to make the right selection. With the proper education and commitment you can accomplish your goal to become a pharmacy technician in Laramie Wyoming.

 

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