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What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges
After you have decided whether you would like to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are numerous pharmacist technician colleges to select from in the Payson AZ area and throughout the Country, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for programs that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Payson home. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are many other variables that you need to consider in order to adequately compare schools. The following questions will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your final choice.
Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Many pharmacy technician colleges and trade schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to provide a complete superior education. Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance learning. Make sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping make sure that you obtain a quality education, it might assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And many Payson AZ employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but many employers desire that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacist technician program should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This qualification may be satisfied by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires one year of job experience for certification, which may be satisfied through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the colleges have a working relationship with Payson AZ area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Getting that initial position in Payson AZ after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a difficult task without any assistance. Find out if the schools you are considering have job assistance programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can refer graduating students.
Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they pick will have to be within travelling distance of their Payson AZ residence. Those who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly 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 Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacy tech program you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Payson AZ area, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family obligations.