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Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges
Once you have determined whether you wish to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school options. There are a large number of pharmacy tech colleges to pick from in the Bell CA area and throughout the United States, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Bell residence. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are several other issues that you need to consider so that you may adequately compare schools. The questions below will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.
Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Most pharmacy tech colleges and trade schools have obtained a regional or national 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 furnish a comprehensive quality education. Online schools may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance education. Make sure to verify that the certificate or degree program together with the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. In addition to helping make sure that you receive a superior education, it might assist in getting financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Bell CA 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 all states, but a number of pharmacies desire that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacy tech school needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of work experience. This requirement can be satisfied by entering 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 through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the schools have associations with Bell CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Getting that initial position in Bell CA upon graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a difficult undertaking without any support. Ask if the schools you are researching have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduates.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their Bell CA residence. Students who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to 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 likely prefer a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacy technician school you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Bell CA area, make certain 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 carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family obligations.