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What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools
Once you have decided whether you want 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 options. There are many pharmacy technician colleges to pick from in the Lancaster CA area and throughout the USA, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for programs that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Lancaster home. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other variables that you should take into consideration in order to adequately compare schools. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Many pharmacy technician colleges and trade schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to offer a complete superior education. Online programs may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Be sure to verify that the degree or certificate program in addition to the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Along with helping ensure that you obtain a quality education, it may help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Lancaster CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the School Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but numerous pharmacies prefer that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacist technician program needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This requirement may be fulfilled by entering a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires a year of job experience for certification, which may be satisfied with an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech 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 colleges have a working relationship with Lancaster CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Give Job Placement Help? Finding that initial position in Lancaster CA after graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a challenging task without some assistance. Find out if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can refer graduating students.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Lancaster CA home. Students who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacist technician program you finally pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Lancaster CA area, verify that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.