Have you ever thought about entering the healthcare field but don’t want to spend several years in school?
If so, you may want to learn how to become a Pharmacy Technician in Wisconsin.
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Licensing Requirements to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Wisconsin
A person who wants to become a Pharmacy Technician in Wisconsin needs to complete at least two hours of vaccine study.
The state documentation from 2021 says that this training must have approval by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
You also need to complete CPR and Basic Life Support requirements.
In addition, WI requires that a Pharmacy Tech remains under the supervision of a Pharmacist.
A Pharmacy Tech also should complete Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or National Healthcareer Association (NHA) credential training.
It’s wise to look for a Pharmacy Technician training program that will prepare you to pass your certification exams.
You have a choice between workforce-based programs approved by healthcare employers or an accredited institutional training system.
Either way, you might receive state and federal funding to help you achieve your career goals.
5 Pharmacy Technician Schools in Wisconsin
1. Rasmussen University
You can achieve a Pharmacy Technician Certificate in about nine months at Rasmussen University.
This coursework includes both online training and in-person life experience.
In addition, you have access to either the Green Bay or Wausau campus resources in WI.
You’ll learn how to handle medications and keep track of drug inventories.
This involves some technology use and some practice interacting with patients requiring medicinal care.
2. UW Health
UW Health, a network of Wisconsin University and clinics, offers the Pharmacy Technician Training Program in Madison, WI.
This program runs for 18 weeks and provides you an ACPE accredited education.
You will spend time in a classroom.
In addition, you’ll practice in simulated lab environments and start serving real patients in a pharmacy environment.
This training will also prepare you for a PTCB certificate.
3. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
You can complete the Online Pharmacy Technician Course offered by UW-Eau Claire in less than a year.
During this time, you will start working and gain experience while under the supervision of a Licensed Pharmacist.
When you’re done with this training, you will know how to stock medications and prepare them for patients.
In addition, you will know how to manage drug inventory and become acquainted with the legality and ethics of pharmaceutical distribution.
4. Northeast Wisconsin Technical Institute (NWTC)
NWTC teams up with Lakeshore Technical College to offer you a two-semester Pharmacy Technician Technical Diploma.
You can complete related classroom courses all online or both in person and online.
Your training includes a four-week clinical program and involves lab practice in a pharmacy near you.
Once completed with this Pharmacy Tech program, you’ll know how to package and label medications.
You will also develop preparation and delivery skills and take care of drug inventories.
Moreover, you will gain practice communicating with patients about medication payment reimbursements.
This means you’ll become familiar with retrieving and updating patient treatment, billing and insurance records.
5. Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Apprenticeship
The DWD prepares you for direct employment.
Sponsored employers may connect themselves with this program to prepare you for immediate hire to positions they need to fill.
In addition to working with the DWD, you might also find the training resources you need at the ONET Online portal.
You can complete occupation-specific courses and use this toward maintaining a current certification you already have.
It prepares you for entering a patient’s prescription information into databases.
You also will know how to retrieve those records when a patient comes in to pick up that prescription.
Your instruction will also teach you how to prepare, fill and dispense medication.
During class and in face-to-face clinical time, you’ll practice this while a Pharmacist supervises you.
Pharmacy Technician Schools in Wisconsin – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Wisconsin
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Rasmussen University | 904 S Taylor St #100, Green Bay, WI 54303 |
| UW Health | 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792 |
| University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | 105 Garfield Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701 |
| 4. Northeast Wisconsin Technical Institute (NWTC) | 2740 W Mason St, Green Bay, WI 54307 |
| Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Apprenticeship | 201 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703 |
Pharmacy Technician Salary in Wisconsin
The average annual salary for a Pharmacy Technician in Wisconsin reported in July 2022 is $36,658.
Your yearly income may range from $33,056 to $40,904. Continued experience and training will increase your earnings to $44,770 or more per year.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Pharmacy Technicians in Wisconsin
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee | $36,900 |
| Madison | $36,500 |
| Green Bay | $35,800 |
| Kenosha | $36,600 |
| Racine | $36,600 |
| Appleton | $35,800 |
| Waukesha | $36,700 |
| Oshkosh | $35,500 |
| Eau Claire | $34,700 |
| West Allis | $34,000 |
Regional Salary in Wisconsin
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton, WI | 300 | $41,020 | $19.72 | $49,860 | $32,060 |
| Eau Claire, WI | 350 | $39,900 | $19.18 | $48,860 | $30,250 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | 120 | $40,390 | $19.42 | $48,880 | $28,410 |
| Green Bay, WI | 450 | $41,460 | $19.93 | $48,620 | $35,380 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | 190 | $39,180 | $18.84 | $47,810 | $30,350 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | 250 | $41,340 | $19.88 | $49,570 | $30,750 |
| Madison, WI | 1,320 | $42,140 | $20.26 | $50,770 | $34,440 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI | 2,840 | $42,780 | $20.57 | $53,480 | $30,710 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | 230 | $38,680 | $18.6 | $48,480 | $29,900 |
| Racine, WI | 240 | $39,530 | $19.01 | $47,940 | $29,180 |
| Sheboygan, WI | 150 | $40,400 | $19.42 | $47,780 | $33,170 |
| Wausau, WI | 210 | $38,950 | $18.73 | $49,090 | $29,720 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Pharmacy Technician do all day?
You will stock and order medications and prepare them for dispensing to a patient.
Your position also involves communicating with patients under stress.
Working as a Pharmacy Tech requires patience too.
You’ll have to remain calm when customers become upset because of insurance disputes, for example.
If you’re ready for that, you can handle this position.
How long does WI Pharmacy Technician training take?
It takes an average of 9-12 months to complete the entry-level Pharmacy Technician training.
You will more than likely achieve your certificates after already working for a while and earning while you learn.
How much does WI Pharmacy Technician training cost?
It will cost you about $3,000-$5,000. Some schools may provide you with a certification exam voucher and include study materials for your certificate preparation.
Federal and state financial aid may also be available for your program of choice.
Do you need experience to become a Pharmacy Technician in Wisconsin?
No, you don’t need experience.
However, you do need to gain some in-person externship or hands-on clinical training before becoming certified for the first time.
