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What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges
Once you have decided whether you would like to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer 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 schools to select from in the Boyle Heights CA area and throughout the USA, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for programs that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Boyle Heights home. If you are willing to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other issues that you need to consider in order to adequately compare programs. The questions below will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your final selection.
Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? The majority of pharmacy tech colleges and trade schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online colleges may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online learning. Don't forget 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. Besides helping ensure that you obtain a superior education, it might help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Boyle Heights CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the College Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but many employers prefer that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacist technician school should ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of professional experience. This condition may be met by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of job experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Ask if the programs have a working relationship with Boyle Heights CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Finding that first position in Boyle Heights CA after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a difficult task without any assistance. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of employer contacts where it can place graduating students.
Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they select will need to be within commuting distance of their Boyle Heights CA residence. Those who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern 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 decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may 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 for those students that live outside of their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program also.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacy tech college you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Boyle Heights CA area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.