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What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges
Once you have decided whether you want to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacist technician colleges to pick from in the Prichard AL area and throughout the United States, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical 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 Prichard residence. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are several other variables that you should consider so that you may adequately compare schools. The questions below will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacist Tech School Accredited? The majority of pharmacy tech colleges and trade schools have earned a national or regional 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 screened and certified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online schools may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance learning. Make sure to verify that the degree or certificate program together with the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping guarantee that you get a quality education, it can assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Prichard AL employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many employers prefer that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacist tech program should prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This requirement may be fulfilled by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates a year of job experience for certification, which may be met with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician 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 meet the requirement. Find out if the colleges have associations with Prichard Alabama area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the School Provide Job Placement Assistance? Securing that first job in Prichard AL after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a difficult endeavor without any assistance. Find out if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of employer contacts where it can refer graduates.
Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Prichard AL home. Those who have chosen to attend online classes 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 keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for 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 want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacist technician school you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Prichard AL area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.