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Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools
Once you have determined whether you would like to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacist tech schools to pick from in the Fullerton CA area and throughout the Country, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for schools that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Fullerton residence. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be important. But there are many other variables that you need to take into consideration so that you may properly compare schools. The questions below will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your final selection.
Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Many pharmacy technician programs and trade 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). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a complete superior education. Online colleges may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Be sure to verify that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping ensure that you get a superior education, it might help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Fullerton 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 every state, but many pharmacies prefer that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacy technician school needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This condition can be fulfilled by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires 1 year of experience for certification, which may be met by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the schools have a working relationship with Fullerton CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the School Give Job Placement Help? Securing that first position in Fullerton CA after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a difficult undertaking without some support. Find out if the schools you are researching have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the field creating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of employer contacts where it can place graduating students.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they select will have to be within driving distance of their Fullerton CA home. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes 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 consider is that if you choose to enroll in a school 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 don't reside within their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacist tech program you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Fullerton CA area, make sure that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.