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Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools
After you have decided whether you wish to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school options. There are numerous pharmacist tech schools to select from in the Aliso Viejo CA area and throughout the Country, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Aliso Viejo home. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are several other variables that you should take into consideration in order to properly compare schools. The questions below will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.
Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacy tech colleges and vocational schools have earned a regional or national 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 evaluated and certified to furnish a complete superior education. Online schools may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Make sure to check that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Along with helping ensure that you obtain a quality education, it may help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Aliso Viejo CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but numerous employers desire that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacist technician program should prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of job experience. This condition may be satisfied by participating in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires a year of professional experience for certification, which may be fulfilled through an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Find out if the programs have associations with Aliso Viejo CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the School Give Job Placement Help? Finding that first job in Aliso Viejo CA upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some support. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can place graduating students.
Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they pick will need to be within travelling distance of their Aliso Viejo CA residence. Students who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry 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 choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically 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 Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacy technician school you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Aliso Viejo CA area, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.