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What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges
After you have decided whether you wish to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy technician colleges to choose from in the Benicia CA area and throughout the Country, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Benicia residence. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are many other factors that you must consider so that you may adequately compare schools. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.
Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Most pharmacist tech colleges and vocational schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to offer a comprehensive superior education. Online schools may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online education. Be sure to check that the degree or certificate program in addition to the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Along with helping guarantee that you get a quality education, it might assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And many Benicia CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many employers prefer that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacist technician college needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of professional experience. This condition may be met by entering a college sponsored internship program.
Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires a year of professional experience for certification, which may be satisfied by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Check if the programs have a working relationship with Benicia CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Give Job Placement Help? Securing that initial job in Benicia CA upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a difficult task without some assistance. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can place graduating students.
Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they choose will need to be within commuting distance of their Benicia CA residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online naturally 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 keep in mind is that if you decide 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 usually 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 Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program also.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacist technician school you finally choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Benicia CA area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.