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What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges
Once you have determined whether you wish to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy technician colleges to choose from in the Jacksonville AR area and throughout the USA, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Jacksonville residence. If you are willing to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are several other variables that you must consider in order to properly compare schools. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final choice.
Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Most pharmacy technician colleges and trade schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online colleges may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Be sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program together with the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping ensure that you obtain a quality education, it might assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Jacksonville AR pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but numerous pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacist technician school needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of professional experience. This requirement may be met by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires 1 year of professional experience for certification, which may be met with an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech 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 a great way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the colleges have a working relationship with Jacksonville AR area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the College Give Job Placement Assistance? Getting that initial position in Jacksonville AR after graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a difficult undertaking without some support. Find out if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduating students.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will need to be within commuting distance of their Jacksonville AR home. Those who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually 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 sort of person that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacist technician program you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Jacksonville AR area, verify that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family obligations.