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Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges
Once you have determined whether you wish to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are a large number of pharmacy technician colleges to select from in the Anthem AZ area and throughout the Country, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Anthem home. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are many other factors that you must take into consideration in order to properly compare programs. The questions below will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.
Is the Pharmacist Tech School Accredited? Many pharmacist technician colleges and trade schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to offer a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online education. Be sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program in addition to the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Along with helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it can assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Anthem AZ 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 a number of pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist technician college needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This qualification may be fulfilled by entering a school sponsored internship program.
Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires a year of experience for certification, which can be satisfied with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the programs have a working relationship with Anthem Arizona area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Finding that initial job in Anthem AZ upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a challenging endeavor without some support. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of employer contacts where it can refer graduates.
Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Anthem AZ residence. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing 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 final determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacist technician college you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Anthem AZ area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.