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Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs
Once you have determined whether you want to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist technician programs to pick from in the Los Altos CA area and throughout the Country, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and technical 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 Los Altos home. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other variables that you should take into consideration so that you may properly compare schools. The following questions will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.
Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Many pharmacist technician programs and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to provide a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance education. Be sure to verify that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Along with helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it can assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Los Altos CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but a number of employers desire that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacy technician college needs to ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of work experience. This condition may be met by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, 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 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 a great way to satisfy the requirement. Find out if the colleges have associations with Los Altos CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Getting that initial job in Los Altos CA after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a challenging undertaking without any support. 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 indicator that the college has a good reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduates.
Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they select will have to be within driving distance of their Los Altos CA residence. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to keep 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 usually 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.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacist tech school you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Los Altos CA area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours 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 emergencies.