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Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools
After you have decided whether you want to attain 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 narrow your school options. There are many pharmacy tech colleges to select from in the Arvin CA area and throughout the Country, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Arvin home. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are several other factors that you should consider in order to adequately compare colleges. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Many pharmacy tech programs and trade schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to offer a complete superior education. Online schools may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Make sure to verify that the certificate or degree program together with the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Along with helping make sure that you get a quality education, it might help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Arvin CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the College Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but numerous pharmacies prefer that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacy tech program should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This qualification can be satisfied by participating in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of job experience for certification, which may be satisfied by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Find out if the colleges have associations with Arvin CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Finding that first job in Arvin CA after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a difficult task without some help. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduating students.
Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Arvin CA residence. Individuals who have opted 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 concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps 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 usually charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program also.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy tech program you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Arvin CA area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.