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What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs
After you have determined whether you wish to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist technician colleges to choose from in the Martinsburg WV area and throughout the United States, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Martinsburg residence. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are many other variables that you must consider in order to effectively compare programs. The following questions will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Most pharmacist technician programs and vocational schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to furnish a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Make sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program together with the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides helping make sure that you obtain a superior education, it can help in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Martinsburg WV employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the Program Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but a number of employers prefer that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacy tech school needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of professional experience. This qualification may be met by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of professional experience for certification, which may be satisfied with an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the schools have associations with Martinsburg WV area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Securing that initial job in Martinsburg WV after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a difficult endeavor without some assistance. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of employer relationships where it can place graduates.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they pick will need to be within travelling distance of their Martinsburg WV home. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble 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 choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally 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 likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program also.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacy technician program you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Martinsburg WV area, verify that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family obligations.