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Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges
Once you have determined whether you want to earn 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 target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacist tech schools to choose from in the Bella Vista AR area and throughout the USA, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will probably initially look for programs that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Bella Vista residence. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are many other variables that you should consider in order to effectively compare programs. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.
Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacy technician programs 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 certified to offer a complete superior education. Online colleges may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance learning. Be sure to verify that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. Along with helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it may assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Bella Vista AR employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the Program Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but numerous pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacist tech college should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This requirement can be met by participating in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires a year of professional experience for certification, which can be fulfilled by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Find out if the programs have associations with Bella Vista AR area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Give Job Placement Assistance? Securing that first job in Bella Vista AR after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a challenging endeavor without some assistance. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduates.
Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Bella Vista AR home. Students who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally 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 prefers to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program also.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacy technician college you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Bella Vista AR area, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.