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Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges
Once you have determined whether you want to attain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are a large number of pharmacy technician programs to pick from in the Pico Rivera CA area and throughout the USA, so you must 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 initially look for colleges that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Pico Rivera residence. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are many other factors that you must take into consideration in order to adequately compare colleges. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final choice.
Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? Many pharmacist tech colleges and vocational schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to offer a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Don't forget to confirm that the certificate or degree program together with the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Along with helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Pico Rivera CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but a number of employers desire that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacist tech college needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This qualification can be fulfilled by entering a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires one year of experience for certification, which may be satisfied through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician 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 an excellent way to meet the requirement. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with Pico Rivera CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Give Job Placement Help? Getting that initial job in Pico Rivera CA upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a difficult task without any support. Find out if the colleges you are researching have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduating students.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they pick will have to be within travelling distance of their Pico Rivera CA home. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to bear 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 might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy tech program also.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the pharmacy tech school you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Pico Rivera CA area, make certain that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out 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 because of work, illness or family emergencies.