It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below
Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs
Once you have decided whether you would like to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy tech programs to pick from in the Gardena CA area and throughout the United States, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for colleges that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Gardena residence. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are many other variables that you must take into consideration in order to properly compare programs. The following questions will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Many pharmacy technician programs and trade schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to provide a complete quality education. Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online learning. Make sure to verify that the degree or certificate program in addition to the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. Besides helping guarantee that you receive a superior education, it may assist in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Gardena CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but numerous employers desire that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacy technician school needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This requirement may be met by entering a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates a year of experience for certification, which can be fulfilled by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech 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 an excellent way to meet the requirement. Check if the colleges have a working relationship with Gardena CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the College Give Job Placement Assistance? Securing that first job in Gardena CA upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a challenging task without any assistance. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a substantial network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduates.
Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Gardena CA residence. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacy technician school you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Gardena CA area, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family obligations.