It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below
Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs
Once you have determined whether you want to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are numerous pharmacist technician programs to choose from in the Pasadena CA area and throughout the United States, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Pasadena residence. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other variables that you must take into consideration so that you may effectively compare colleges. The following questions will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.
Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Most pharmacy tech programs and vocational schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among 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 certified to furnish a comprehensive superior education. Online colleges may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with distance or online education. Make sure to check that the certificate or degree program together with the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Besides helping ensure that you get a superior education, it may assist in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Pasadena CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the Program Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but numerous pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire are certified. The pharmacy technician program should ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of work experience. This condition can be met by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires a year of professional experience for certification, which can be fulfilled with an internship program. One of the best ways to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the schools have associations with Pasadena CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Give Job Placement Assistance? Securing that first job in Pasadena CA upon graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a daunting endeavor without any assistance. Ask if the colleges you are researching have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the field creating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of employer relationships where it can refer graduates.
Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Pasadena CA residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. 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 may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind 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 colleges you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician college you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Pasadena CA area, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family obligations.