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Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools
Once you have decided whether you want to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist tech colleges to choose from in the Los Osos CA area and throughout the USA, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Los Osos home. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are a number of other factors that you need to consider so that you may adequately compare schools. The questions below will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.
Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Most pharmacy technician programs and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to furnish a complete superior education. Online colleges may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Make sure to verify that the certificate or degree program in addition to the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Along with helping guarantee that you get a quality education, it may assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Los Osos CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the Program Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many pharmacies prefer that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacist technician school should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of professional experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by participating in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of professional experience for certification, which may be fulfilled with an internship program. One of the best ways to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Check if the colleges have associations with Los Osos CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Finding that first job in Los Osos CA after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a challenging endeavor without any help. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs. If so, ask 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 demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can refer graduating students.
Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will have to be within commuting distance of their Los Osos CA home. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to bear 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 might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer 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 tech program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacy technician program you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Los Osos CA area, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative 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 as a result of work, illness or family obligations.