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What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs
Once you have determined whether you would like to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacy technician programs to choose from in the Verona WI area and throughout the USA, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Verona home. If you are willing to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other factors that you should take into consideration in order to properly compare programs. The questions below will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your final choice.
Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Most pharmacy technician programs and vocational schools have earned a regional or national 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 evaluated and certified to offer a complete quality education. Online schools may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Be sure to check that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. In addition to helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it may assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Verona WI pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the Program Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but many pharmacies prefer that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacist tech college needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of job experience. This qualification can be satisfied by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates 1 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 train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the programs have a working relationship with Verona WI area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Getting that first position in Verona WI upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a daunting task without any help. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can place graduates.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their Verona WI residence. Those who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry 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 college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the average 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 a chance to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacist tech school you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Verona WI area, make certain that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.