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Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs
After you have decided whether you want to attain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist technician colleges to choose from in the La Mirada CA area and throughout the USA, so you need to 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 La Mirada home. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are several other variables that you must consider in order to properly compare programs. The questions below will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.
Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Most pharmacist technician programs and trade schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to furnish a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online learning. Make sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. In addition to helping ensure that you get a quality education, it can help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of La Mirada CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacy technician college should ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of professional experience. This requirement may be fulfilled by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires a year of experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Find out if the programs have a working relationship with La Mirada CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Provide Job Placement Help? Getting that initial job in La Mirada CA after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a difficult task without any support. Ask if the schools you are researching have job assistance programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a substantial network of employer contacts where it can refer graduates.
Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they decide on will need to be within driving distance of their La Mirada CA residence. Students who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently 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 likes to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program as well.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacy technician program you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the La Mirada CA area, verify 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 need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family obligations.