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Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs
Once you have determined whether you would like to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school options. There are many pharmacy technician programs to choose from in the Cabot AR area and throughout the United States, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Cabot home. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are several other factors that you should consider so that you may properly compare programs. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your final choice.
Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Many pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations 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 receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Make sure to check that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. In addition to helping guarantee that you obtain a quality education, it can help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And many Cabot AR pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the College Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but numerous pharmacies prefer that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacist technician school should prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of professional experience. This requirement can be met by participating in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires a year of experience for certification, which may be satisfied by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech 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 colleges have a working relationship with Cabot AR area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Offer Job Placement Help? Getting that first job in Cabot AR upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a difficult endeavor without some assistance. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing 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 college has an excellent reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of employer relationships where it can refer graduating students.
Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they select will have to be within travelling distance of their Cabot AR home. Those who have decided to attend online classes obviously 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 school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often 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 Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program also.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacist tech college you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Cabot AR area, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option 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 due to work, illness or family emergencies.