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What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools
After you have determined whether you wish to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are many pharmacy technician programs to choose from in the Palmdale CA area and throughout the United States, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will probably initially look for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Palmdale home. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other variables that you should consider so that you may effectively compare schools. The following questions will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.
Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Most pharmacist tech programs and trade schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to offer a complete superior education. Online programs may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Make sure to verify that the certificate or degree program in addition to the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Along with helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it may assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Palmdale CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but a number of employers desire that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacist technician school needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of job experience. This requirement may be fulfilled by entering a college sponsored internship program.
Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates one year of experience for certification, which can be fulfilled by means of 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 tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Ask if the programs have associations with Palmdale CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Finding that first position in Palmdale CA after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a difficult undertaking without any help. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have job placement programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of employer relationships where it can place graduates.
Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they select will need to be within commuting distance of their Palmdale CA residence. Students who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something 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 have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally 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 rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacist tech school you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Palmdale CA area, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option 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 due to illness, work or family emergencies.