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Questions to Ask Pharmacist Technician Schools
Once you have determined whether you want to earn a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy tech schools to choose from in the Homewood AL area and throughout the United States, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Homewood home. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be important. But there are many other factors that you must consider so that you may adequately compare programs. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.
Is the Pharmacist Tech Program Accredited? Most pharmacy tech programs and vocational schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Don't forget to check that the degree or certificate program as well as the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. In addition to helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it may help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Homewood AL pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the College Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but numerous employers desire that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacy tech program needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This requirement may be satisfied by entering a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires one year of experience for certification, which may be met with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Find out if the programs have associations with Homewood Alabama area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Securing that first position in Homewood AL after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a daunting endeavor without any assistance. Ask if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can refer graduates.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will need to be within driving distance of their Homewood AL residence. Students 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 importance. One thing to keep in mind 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 normally 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 kind of student that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program also.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the pharmacist tech program you finally choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Homewood AL area, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.