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What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs
Once you have determined whether you want to obtain 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 narrow your school options. There are many pharmacist tech programs to choose from in the Prattville AL area and throughout the United States, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for schools that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Prattville residence. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are a number of other factors that you need to take into consideration so that you may properly compare colleges. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.
Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Many pharmacy technician programs and trade schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to provide a complete quality education. Online colleges may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Be sure to confirm that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it might help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Prattville AL pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but many pharmacies prefer that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacy tech program should ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of work experience. This qualification may be fulfilled by participating in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of experience for certification, which may be met with an internship program. One of the best ways to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the schools have associations with Prattville AL area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Finding that first position in Prattville AL upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a daunting task without some support. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a substantial network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduates.
Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the college they select will need to be within commuting distance of their Prattville AL residence. Those who have chosen 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 decide 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 typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program also.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacy technician school you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Prattville AL area, check that they are offered. 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 need to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.