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What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools
Once you have decided whether you want to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy tech schools to pick from in the Jasper AL area and throughout the USA, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for programs that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Jasper home. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other issues that you need to consider so that you may effectively compare colleges. The questions below will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? The majority of pharmacy tech colleges and vocational schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to furnish a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Don't forget to verify that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Along with helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it can assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Jasper AL employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the College Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but numerous employers desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacist tech college should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This condition can be fulfilled by entering a school sponsored internship program.
Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates 1 year of experience for certification, which may be met through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Check if the colleges have associations with Jasper AL area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first job in Jasper AL upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a challenging task without any help. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have job assistance 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 field creating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can place graduates.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will need to be within driving distance of their Jasper AL residence. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a college 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 typically charge a higher tuition to 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 the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. 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 some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program also.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacist tech college you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Jasper AL area, make sure that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have 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.