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What to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools
Once you have decided whether you wish to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy tech colleges to select from in the Oakley CA area and throughout the Country, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Oakley residence. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are many other variables that you need to consider in order to properly compare schools. The following questions will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your final selection.
Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Many pharmacy tech colleges and vocational schools have acquired a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to offer a comprehensive superior education. Online programs may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance learning. Don't forget to confirm that the certificate or degree program together with the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. In addition to helping make sure that you receive a superior education, it can assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Oakley CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the Program Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many pharmacies prefer that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacist tech college needs to ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of professional experience. This qualification may be met by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of experience for certification, which may be fulfilled by means of an internship program. One of the best ways 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 in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the colleges have associations with Oakley CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Getting that initial job in Oakley CA after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a daunting endeavor without some support. Ask if the schools you are researching have job assistance programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can place graduates.
Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will have to be within driving distance of their Oakley CA home. Those who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program also.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacist tech college you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Oakley CA area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify 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 due to work, illness or family obligations.