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What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools
Once you have determined whether you would like to obtain 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 numerous pharmacist tech programs to choose from in the Moreno Valley CA area and throughout the Country, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for colleges that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Moreno Valley residence. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be important. But there are many other factors that you should take into consideration in order to adequately compare colleges. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.
Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? The majority of pharmacist technician colleges and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. One of 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 offer a complete quality education. Online schools may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Make sure to confirm that the degree or certificate program together with the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping ensure that you obtain a quality education, it might help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Moreno 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 mandated in all states, but many pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacy tech school should prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA mandates one year of professional experience for certification, which may be fulfilled by means of an internship program. One of the best ways 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 prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the colleges have a working relationship with Moreno Valley CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Finding that initial position in Moreno Valley CA upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a challenging task without some support. Find out if the schools you are researching have job assistance programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of pharmacy relationships where it can refer graduates.
Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they choose will need to be within driving distance of their Moreno Valley CA residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally 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 Big are the Classes ? 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 want a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program also.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the pharmacist tech program you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Moreno Valley CA area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family obligations.