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What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges
After you have determined whether you would like to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school options. There are many pharmacist technician schools to select from in the Hudson WI area and throughout the USA, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably initially look for colleges that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Hudson home. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are many other variables that you must take into consideration so that you may adequately compare programs. The questions below will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Most pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to furnish a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online learning. Don't forget to verify that the certificate or degree program together with the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Besides helping guarantee that you obtain a quality education, it can help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And many Hudson WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the School Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but many employers prefer that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech school should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This qualification can be satisfied by participating in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of experience for certification, which can be met with 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 clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the schools have a working relationship with Hudson WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Provide Job Placement Help? Finding that first job in Hudson WI upon graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a difficult endeavor without any assistance. Ask if the schools you are considering have job assistance programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the field creating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduating students.
Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they select will need to be within driving distance of their Hudson WI residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need 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 don't reside within their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program also.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy technician college you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Hudson WI area, check 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 need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.