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Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools
Once you have determined whether you want to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy tech colleges to pick from in the Oxford AL area and throughout the United States, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Oxford home. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other factors that you should consider so that you may effectively compare schools. The questions below will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Most pharmacist technician colleges and trade schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified 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. Don't forget to verify that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping ensure that you receive 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 require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Oxford AL 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 required in all states, but numerous employers prefer that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacist technician program needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of work experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of job experience for certification, which may be met by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Find out if the schools have associations with Oxford Alabama area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Finding that initial position in Oxford AL upon graduation, especially with no experience, can be a difficult endeavor without some help. Ask if the schools 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 school has a good reputation within the field creating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can refer graduating students.
Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will have to be within commuting distance of their Oxford AL residence. Those who have decided to attend online classes naturally 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 consider is that if you decide 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 don't reside within their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacist technician school you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Oxford AL area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family obligations.