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Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools
Once you have decided whether you would like to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacist tech programs to choose from in the Buena Park CA area and throughout the Country, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for programs that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Buena Park home. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are a number of other issues that you must take into consideration so that you may properly compare colleges. The questions below will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Most pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to provide a complete superior education. Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online learning. Don't forget 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. Besides helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it can assist in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Buena Park 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 required in all states, but many pharmacies prefer that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacy technician college should prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This condition can be fulfilled by participating in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates a year of job experience for certification, which can be fulfilled with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Find out if the programs have associations with Buena Park CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Getting that first job in Buena Park CA after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some support. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can place graduates.
Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Buena Park CA residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps 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 generally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with a few 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 confirm that the pharmacist technician school you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Buena Park CA area, check that they are available. 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, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family obligations.