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Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools
After you have determined whether you wish to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are many pharmacy tech programs to choose from in the Maumelle AR area and throughout the United States, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Maumelle home. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be critical. But there are many other issues that you should take into consideration so that you may properly compare colleges. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final choice.
Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Most pharmacist technician programs 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). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to offer a complete quality education. Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Don't forget to check that the certificate or degree program in addition to the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Along with helping ensure that you get a superior education, it can assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Maumelle AR pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the College Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but a number of pharmacies desire that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech school needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This qualification may be fulfilled by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires a year of job 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 technician 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 a great way to meet the requirement. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with Maumelle AR area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Offer Job Placement Assistance? Finding that first job in Maumelle AR upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a daunting endeavor without some help. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a substantial network of employer contacts where it can refer graduating students.
Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Maumelle AR residence. Those who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to consider 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 often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges 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 decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacy tech school you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Maumelle AR area, make certain that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.