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Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools
Once you have decided whether you wish to earn a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are a large number of pharmacist technician colleges to pick from in the Madera CA area and throughout the USA, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Madera home. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be critical. But there are several other variables that you should consider so that you may properly compare schools. The following questions will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Many pharmacy technician programs and vocational schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to offer a complete quality education. Online colleges may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Don't forget to confirm that the certificate or degree program together with the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it can assist in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And many Madera CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but numerous pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist technician school should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This condition can be satisfied by entering a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates one 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 tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Find out if the colleges have associations with Madera CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Securing that first position in Madera CA upon graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a difficult task without some support. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduating students.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they choose will need to be within commuting distance of their Madera CA home. Individuals who have decided 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 concern. Something to consider 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 often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of 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 hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the typical 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 a chance to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program also.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician program you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Madera CA area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.