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Points to Ask Pharmacist Technician Colleges
Once you have decided whether you want 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 target your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacy technician schools to choose from in the Eagle River AK area and throughout the Country, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Eagle River residence. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are several other issues that you should take into consideration in order to properly compare programs. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final selection.
Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? The majority of pharmacist tech programs and trade schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to furnish a comprehensive superior education. Online schools may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance learning. Be sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it might help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Eagle River AK employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but numerous pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech program should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This requirement may be met by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates a 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 technician is to work 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. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with Eagle River Alaska area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Getting that first position in Eagle River AK upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some assistance. Ask if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can place graduates.
Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they select will have to be within travelling distance of their Eagle River AK home. Students who have chosen to attend online classes obviously 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 bear 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 might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently 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 far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacy tech college you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Eagle River AK area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.