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Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools
After you have decided whether you want to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy tech programs to choose from in the Indio CA area and throughout the United States, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Indio residence. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be important. But there are many other issues that you must consider in order to properly compare schools. The following questions will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.
Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Many pharmacy tech programs and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to offer a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Don't forget to check that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. In addition to helping guarantee that you obtain a superior education, it may help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Indio CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but many employers prefer that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech college needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of work experience. This qualification may be fulfilled by entering a school sponsored internship program.
Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires a year of professional experience for certification, which may be fulfilled with an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work 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 meet the requirement. Find out if the programs have associations with Indio CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Offer Job Placement Help? Getting that initial job in Indio CA upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a challenging undertaking without some support. Find out if the schools you are researching 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 field creating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a large network of employer contacts where it can refer graduating students.
Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they pick will need to be within travelling distance of their Indio CA residence. Those who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program also.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacy tech school you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Indio CA area, check 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 enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.