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Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools
After you have determined whether you want to attain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are many pharmacy technician colleges to choose from in the Catalina Foothills AZ area and throughout the United States, so you should 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 colleges that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Catalina Foothills home. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are several other issues that you should consider so that you may adequately compare colleges. The questions below will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.
Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Many pharmacy technician colleges and trade schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to furnish a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Make sure to verify that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Along with helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it may assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Catalina Foothills AZ employers 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 mandated in every state, but numerous employers desire that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacist technician college should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of professional experience. This qualification may be satisfied by participating in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates one year of job experience for certification, which can be met through 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 certificate or degree programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the programs have associations with Catalina Foothills AZ area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the School Offer Job Placement Help? Getting that initial job in Catalina Foothills AZ upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a daunting endeavor without some support. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of employer relationships where it can place graduating students.
Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will need to be within commuting distance of their Catalina Foothills AZ home. Students who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to bear in mind 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 usually charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacist tech school you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Catalina Foothills AZ area, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.