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Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools
After you have decided whether you want to earn a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are many pharmacy tech schools to pick from in the Norwalk CA area and throughout the United States, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Norwalk home. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other issues that you must consider in order to properly compare colleges. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.
Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Most pharmacist technician colleges and trade schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may also earn 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 as well as the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. In addition to helping make sure that you get a superior education, it can assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Norwalk CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the College Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many pharmacies prefer that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacy technician program should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This requirement can be met 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 fulfilled through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to get practical 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 a great way to meet the requirement. Check if the programs have a working relationship with Norwalk CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Offer Job Placement Help? Finding that initial position in Norwalk CA upon graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some help. Ask if the schools you are considering have job assistance programs. If so, ask 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 large network of pharmacy contacts where it can place graduates.
Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Norwalk CA residence. Students who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose 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 typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program also.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the pharmacy tech school you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Norwalk CA area, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.