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What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges
Once you have decided whether you want to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist tech schools to select from in the Bloomington CA area and throughout the USA, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Bloomington home. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are several other variables that you must take into consideration so that you may effectively compare programs. The questions below will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.
Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Most pharmacy tech programs and trade schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online schools may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance education. Make sure to check that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. In addition to helping make sure that you get a superior education, it might help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Bloomington CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the College Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many employers prefer that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacist tech program 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 job experience. This qualification can be fulfilled by entering a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates a year of experience for certification, which may be met by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the programs have a working relationship with Bloomington CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Finding that initial position in Bloomington CA upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a difficult task without some assistance. Find out if the schools you are researching have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can place graduating students.
Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they choose will have to be within driving distance of their Bloomington CA residence. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern 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 program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly 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 likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program also.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacist technician school you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Bloomington CA area, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.