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What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs
After you have decided whether you would like to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are numerous pharmacist tech colleges to select from in the Moraga CA area and throughout the Country, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and technical schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Moraga residence. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other issues that you should take into consideration so that you may properly compare colleges. The questions below will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.
Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Most pharmacist technician colleges and vocational schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to offer a complete superior education. Online programs may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Don't forget to check that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school 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 assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Moraga CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the Program Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but a number of employers desire that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacy tech school should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This condition can be fulfilled by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates a year of experience for certification, which may be fulfilled through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Find out if the programs have a working relationship with Moraga CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Offer Job Placement Assistance? Securing that first job in Moraga CA upon graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some assistance. 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 field generating appeal for its graduates. It also means 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 school they select will have to be within travelling distance of their Moraga CA residence. Those who have chosen 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. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually 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.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacy technician program you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Moraga CA area, make sure that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.