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What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges
Once you have decided whether you wish to attain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist tech colleges to select from in the Bryant AR area and throughout the Country, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and trade 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 Bryant residence. If you are willing to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are many other issues that you need to consider so that you may properly compare schools. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.
Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacy tech colleges and vocational schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to provide a complete superior education. Online colleges may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance education. Don't forget to check that the degree or certificate program as well as the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides helping ensure that you get a quality education, it may help in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Bryant AR pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the Program Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but a number of employers prefer that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacist technician college needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of professional experience. This qualification may be met by participating in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates a year of job experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the colleges have a working relationship with Bryant AR area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Provide Job Placement Assistance? Securing that initial position in Bryant AR upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a daunting endeavor without some support. Ask if the colleges you are researching have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduating students.
Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the college they pick will have to be within driving distance of their Bryant AR residence. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to keep 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 might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacist tech school you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Bryant AR area, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.