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What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools
After you have determined whether you wish to attain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are numerous pharmacist technician schools to select from in the Racine WI area and throughout the USA, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Racine residence. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other factors that you should consider so that you may adequately compare programs. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final choice.
Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Many pharmacy tech programs and trade schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to provide a complete quality education. Online schools 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 degree or certificate program as well as the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Along with helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it can assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Racine WI employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the College Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but numerous employers desire that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacist technician school should ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of job experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by entering a school sponsored internship program.
Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates one year of professional experience for certification, which can be satisfied with an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire 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 in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with Racine WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Give Job Placement Assistance? Securing that initial job in Racine WI after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a difficult undertaking without some help. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a substantial network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduates.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the school they select will need to be within commuting distance of their Racine WI home. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online obviously 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 consider is that if you decide to enroll in a school 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 frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at 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 ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy technician program you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Racine WI area, make sure that they are offered. 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 need to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.