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Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges
After you have determined whether you want to earn a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are a large number of pharmacist tech schools to pick from in the Pleasant Prairie WI area and throughout the United States, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and trade 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 Pleasant Prairie residence. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are several other factors that you must consider in order to adequately compare programs. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final selection.
Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacist technician programs and trade schools have acquired 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 screened and certified to furnish a complete superior education. Online programs may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Make sure to verify that the certificate or degree program together with the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. Besides helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it might assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Pleasant Prairie WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the School Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but a number of employers prefer that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacist tech program should prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This condition can be met by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates a year of experience for certification, which may be met by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work 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 meet the requirement. Find out if the programs have a working relationship with Pleasant Prairie WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Offer Job Placement Help? Securing that initial position in Pleasant Prairie WI upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a difficult task without some help. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can place graduates.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will need to be within commuting distance of their Pleasant Prairie WI residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor 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 opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program also.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacy tech program you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Pleasant Prairie WI area, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family obligations.