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Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges
Once you have determined whether you would like to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are a large number of pharmacist tech colleges to select from in the Alamo TX area and throughout the USA, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for programs that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Alamo residence. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are many other factors that you must consider so that you may adequately compare colleges. The following questions will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Most pharmacist technician programs and vocational schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to provide a complete quality education. Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online education. Be sure to check that the certificate or degree program together with the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. In addition to helping make sure that you receive a quality education, it can assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Alamo TX employers 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 many pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacy tech school needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This qualification may be satisfied by participating in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires 1 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 train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the schools have associations with Alamo TX area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Give Job Placement Assistance? Securing that initial position in Alamo TX after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a daunting task without some assistance. Find out if the schools you are researching have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduates.
Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they pick will have to be within travelling distance of their Alamo TX home. Those who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with several of the students and instructors 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 provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Alamo TX area, make certain that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.