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What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs
After you have determined whether you wish 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 numerous pharmacist tech schools to select from in the Compton CA area and throughout the Country, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Compton home. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other variables that you should consider in order to adequately compare colleges. The following questions will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Many pharmacist technician programs and trade schools have acquired 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 furnish a comprehensive quality education. Online schools may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance learning. Don't forget to confirm that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Besides helping ensure that you get a quality education, it can assist in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Compton CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the Program Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many pharmacies prefer that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacy tech college should prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This qualification may be satisfied by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires one year of professional experience for certification, which may be satisfied by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Find out if the programs have a working relationship with Compton CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Provide Job Placement Assistance? Securing that initial position in Compton CA after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a daunting task without some assistance. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can place graduating students.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the school they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Compton CA residence. Those who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy technician school you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Compton CA area, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours 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.