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Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools
Once you have decided whether you want to obtain a degree or a certificate, 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 numerous pharmacy technician schools to select from in the Beaumont TX area and throughout the USA, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for schools that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Beaumont home. If you are willing to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be critical. But there are several other variables that you must take into consideration in order to properly compare schools. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.
Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Many pharmacist technician colleges and trade schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to furnish a complete superior education. Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Don't forget to verify that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. In addition to helping make sure that you obtain a superior education, it might assist in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Beaumont TX employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the School Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but many employers desire that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacist tech program should prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This requirement may be fulfilled by participating in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates 1 year of professional experience for certification, which can be fulfilled through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Find out if the schools have associations with Beaumont TX area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Finding that first position in Beaumont TX after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a daunting task without any support. Ask if the schools you are considering have job assistance 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 creating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can refer graduates.
Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they select will have to be within commuting distance of their Beaumont TX home. Those who have chosen 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. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student 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 speak with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program also.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the pharmacy tech school you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Beaumont TX area, verify that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family obligations.