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Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools
Once you have determined whether you wish to earn a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school options. There are many pharmacy tech programs to select from in the Ashland CA area and throughout the United States, 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 probably initially look for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Ashland residence. If you are willing to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are many other issues that you should consider so that you may effectively compare colleges. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final selection.
Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Many pharmacy technician programs and trade schools have acquired 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 verified to offer a complete quality education. Online schools may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Make sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program in addition to the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. In addition to helping ensure that you obtain a quality education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Ashland CA employers 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 required in every state, but numerous employers desire that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacy tech college needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This condition may be satisfied by participating in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of experience for certification, which may be met with an internship program. One of the best ways to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the colleges have a working relationship with Ashland CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the College Offer Job Placement Help? Finding that initial job in Ashland CA upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a daunting endeavor without some support. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of employer relationships where it can refer graduates.
Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they select will need to be within travelling distance of their Ashland CA home. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to consider is that if you choose 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 frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one 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 final decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program also.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacist technician college you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Ashland CA area, verify that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option 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 may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.