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What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges
After you have determined whether you wish to attain a certificate or degree, 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 numerous pharmacist technician schools to choose from in the Chico CA area and throughout the Country, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Chico residence. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are a number of other factors that you need to take into consideration in order to adequately compare colleges. The following questions will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.
Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Many pharmacy tech programs and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of 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 complete superior education. Online colleges may additionally receive 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 school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping guarantee that you get a quality education, it might help in acquiring 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 many Chico CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but many employers desire that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacist technician college needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of professional experience. This qualification can be fulfilled by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires 1 year of experience for certification, which may be fulfilled with an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the schools have associations with Chico CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Getting that initial job in Chico CA after graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some help. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of employer contacts where it can refer graduates.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Chico CA home. 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. 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 need 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 live outside of their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacy technician school you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Chico CA area, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.