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Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges
After you have decided whether you wish 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 many pharmacy tech schools to pick from in the Oroville CA area and throughout the United States, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Oroville home. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other variables that you should consider so that you may adequately compare schools. The following questions will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.
Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Many pharmacist tech colleges 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). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to furnish a complete quality education. Online colleges may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with online or distance education. Don't forget to verify that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Besides helping guarantee that you obtain a quality education, it can help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Oroville CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the School Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but many employers desire that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacy technician college should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This requirement may be fulfilled by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of experience for certification, which can be fulfilled with 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 technician certificate or degree programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with Oroville CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the College Give Job Placement Assistance? Securing that initial job in Oroville CA after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a challenging task without any help. Ask if the schools you are considering have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of employer relationships where it can place graduating students.
Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they decide on will need to be within driving distance of their Oroville CA residence. Students who have opted to attend classes online naturally 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 school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often 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 Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program also.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the pharmacist tech school you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Oroville CA area, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.