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Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges
Once you have decided whether you want to attain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy technician colleges to pick from in the Fallbrook CA area and throughout the United States, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for colleges that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Fallbrook residence. If you are able to relocate or are going 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 consider so that you may effectively compare colleges. The questions below will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your final selection.
Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Many pharmacy tech colleges and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online colleges may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance education. Make sure to confirm that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Along with helping make sure that you get a superior education, it can help in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And many Fallbrook CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but many pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacist tech program needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by participating in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires 1 year of experience for certification, which may be fulfilled by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Find out if the colleges have a working relationship with Fallbrook CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Getting that first position in Fallbrook CA after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a daunting endeavor without some support. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduating students.
Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they select will need to be within driving distance of their Fallbrook CA home. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program also.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacist tech school you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Fallbrook CA area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family obligations.