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What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges
Once you have determined whether you wish to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you want to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy technician colleges to select from in the Menifee CA area and throughout the USA, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Menifee home. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are many other variables that you should consider so that you may adequately compare schools. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.
Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Many pharmacy tech colleges and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to provide a comprehensive quality education. Online schools may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Be sure to check that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides helping guarantee that you get 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 mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Menifee CA pharmacies 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 mandated in every state, but a number of employers prefer that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacy technician college should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of professional experience. This qualification can be fulfilled by participating in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates one year of professional experience for certification, which can be fulfilled by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the schools have associations with Menifee CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the College Provide Job Placement Assistance? Securing that initial job in Menifee CA after graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a difficult undertaking without any assistance. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can refer graduates.
Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Menifee CA residence. Students who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to bear 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 need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacist technician program you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Menifee CA area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family obligations.