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What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools
Once you have decided whether you want to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are a large number of pharmacy technician colleges to select from in the Hoover AL area and throughout the USA, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Hoover home. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are several other variables that you should consider so that you may adequately compare programs. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final selection.
Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Many pharmacist tech colleges and vocational schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies 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 additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Don't forget to confirm that the certificate or degree program together with the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Besides helping make sure that you obtain a quality education, it can assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Hoover AL pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but many pharmacies desire that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacy technician program should ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This qualification may be satisfied by participating in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires one year of professional experience for certification, which may be satisfied by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the programs have associations with Hoover AL area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Securing that initial position in Hoover AL after graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a difficult task without some support. Ask if the schools you are considering have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduating students.
Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Hoover AL home. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing 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 might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student 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 converse with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacist tech program you finally choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Hoover AL area, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.