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Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools
Once you have determined whether you would like to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacy technician colleges to select from in the Bakersfield CA area and throughout the Country, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Bakersfield residence. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are several other factors that you must consider in order to effectively compare programs. The following questions will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.
Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Most pharmacy technician programs and vocational schools have obtained a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a complete quality education. Online colleges may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance education. Make sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program together with the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides helping ensure that you obtain a quality education, it might help in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Bakersfield CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the School Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacist technician school needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of job experience. This qualification can be fulfilled by participating in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates a year of job experience for certification, which may be fulfilled by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Ask if the schools have a working relationship with Bakersfield CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Provide Job Placement Help? Finding that first job in Bakersfield CA after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a daunting endeavor without any help. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of employer contacts where it can refer graduates.
Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Bakersfield CA residence. Students 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. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally 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 kind of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacist technician college you finally choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Bakersfield CA area, confirm that they are available. 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 need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.