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Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges
Once you have determined whether you wish to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school options. There are many pharmacist technician colleges to select from in the Carmichael CA area and throughout the USA, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for schools that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Carmichael residence. If you are able to relocate 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 variables that you need to consider in order to effectively compare programs. The following questions will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.
Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Many pharmacist technician programs and vocational schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Don't forget to check that the degree or certificate program together with the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Besides helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it may assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Carmichael CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but a number of employers desire that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacy technician school needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of job experience. This qualification may be satisfied by participating in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates a year of experience for certification, which may be fulfilled through an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the programs have a working relationship with Carmichael CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the School Give Job Placement Assistance? Getting that initial position in Carmichael CA upon graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some assistance. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a substantial network of employer contacts where it can place graduates.
Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their Carmichael CA home. Students who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition to 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 way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program also.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacist tech college you finally choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Carmichael CA area, confirm 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 need to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.