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What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges
Once you have decided whether you would like to attain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school options. There are numerous pharmacist technician programs to select from in the Janesville WI area and throughout the Country, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Janesville residence. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are several other variables that you need to take into consideration in order to adequately compare programs. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Many pharmacy tech colleges and trade schools have obtained a national or regional 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 screened and certified to offer a complete superior education. Online schools may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Don't forget to confirm that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you obtain a quality education, it might assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Janesville WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but a number of pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacy technician school should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This condition can be fulfilled by entering a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates a year of job experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the colleges have a working relationship with Janesville WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the School Give Job Placement Assistance? Finding that first position in Janesville WI upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a difficult endeavor without any assistance. Find out if the schools you are considering have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can place graduates.
Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the college they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Janesville WI home. Those who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly 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 Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacist technician school you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Janesville WI area, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family obligations.