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Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools
After you have determined whether you want to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacist tech schools to choose from in the Stoughton WI area and throughout the United States, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Stoughton residence. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other variables that you should consider so that you may effectively compare colleges. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final choice.
Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Most pharmacist technician programs and vocational schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to furnish a complete superior education. Online colleges may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online learning. Be sure to check that the certificate or degree program in addition to the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. In addition to helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it might assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Stoughton WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but many pharmacies desire that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacist tech program needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This qualification may be fulfilled by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires one year of experience for certification, which can be met by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Ask if the programs have associations with Stoughton WI area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first job in Stoughton WI upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a difficult task without some assistance. Ask if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduating students.
Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Stoughton WI home. Students who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern 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 choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program also.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacy tech college you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Stoughton WI area, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.