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What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools
Once you have decided whether you would like to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are many pharmacist tech programs to pick from in the Mill Valley CA area and throughout the USA, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Mill Valley home. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are several other variables that you need to take into consideration in order to effectively compare schools. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.
Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Most pharmacist technician programs and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to offer a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance learning. Be sure to check that the certificate or degree program together with the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Along with helping ensure that you obtain a superior education, it might assist in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Mill Valley 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 all states, but many pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacy technician program should ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates one year of experience for certification, which may be met by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the programs have a working relationship with Mill Valley CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the College Give Job Placement Assistance? Finding that first position in Mill Valley CA after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a difficult endeavor without any help. Find out if the colleges you are researching have job assistance programs. If they do, find out 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 demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduates.
Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they choose will have to be within driving distance of their Mill Valley CA residence. 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 concern. One thing to consider is that if you decide 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 usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often 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 way in the rear 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 schools you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program also.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacy technician program you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Mill Valley CA area, make certain that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.