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Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs
After you have decided whether you want to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist tech schools to pick from in the Davis CA area and throughout the United States, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Davis home. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other factors that you must take into consideration so that you may effectively compare programs. The questions below will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? The majority of pharmacy tech colleges and trade schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to offer a complete quality education. Online schools may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance learning. Don't forget to verify that the certificate or degree program in addition to the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Along with helping guarantee that you obtain a superior education, it can assist in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Davis CA pharmacies 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 mandated in all states, but numerous employers desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacy tech program should ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of work experience. This qualification can be met by entering a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates a year of experience for certification, which can be satisfied by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Find out if the programs have a working relationship with Davis CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Offer Job Placement Assistance? Getting that first position in Davis CA upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a challenging task without any assistance. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduates.
Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they decide on will need to be within driving distance of their Davis CA home. Students who have opted 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 importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even 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 normally charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer 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 tech program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacist tech program you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Davis CA area, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.