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Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools
After you have determined whether you want to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist tech schools to select from in the Brea CA area and throughout the United States, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Brea residence. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other issues that you need to consider so that you may properly compare schools. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? The majority of pharmacy 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). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to furnish a comprehensive superior education. Online colleges may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Don't forget to check that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides helping make sure that you obtain a quality education, it can help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Brea CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but numerous employers desire that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacist technician school needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of job experience. This condition may be fulfilled by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates a year of job experience for certification, which can be fulfilled with an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the programs have a working relationship with Brea CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Offer Job Placement Help? Getting that first job in Brea CA after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a difficult undertaking without some support. Find out if the schools you are researching have job assistance programs. If they do, 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 field creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can refer graduates.
Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their Brea CA residence. Students who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern 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 choose 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 typically 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 are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program also.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician school you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Brea CA area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family obligations.