It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below
Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges
Once you have decided whether you want to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are numerous pharmacist technician schools to choose from in the La Habra CA area and throughout the USA, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for colleges that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your La Habra home. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are several other variables that you need to consider so that you may effectively compare programs. The questions below will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.
Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Most pharmacy technician colleges and trade schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of 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 certified to furnish a complete superior education. Online colleges may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Be sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Along with helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it may help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And a number of La Habra CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the School Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but a number of employers prefer that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacist tech school should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This requirement may be fulfilled by participating in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of professional experience for certification, which can be fulfilled through an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Find out if the colleges have associations with La Habra CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the School Give Job Placement Help? Securing that first job in La Habra CA after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a difficult task without some help. Find out if the schools you are considering have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can place graduating students.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the school they select will need to be within driving distance of their La Habra CA residence. Students who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically 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 sort of student that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical teacher to student 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 speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.
Can the School 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 especially crucial if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the La Habra CA area, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.