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Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges
After you have determined whether you wish to attain a certificate or degree, and if you want to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are a large number of pharmacy tech schools to pick from in the Pomona CA area and throughout the Country, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Pomona home. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be critical. But there are several other factors that you should consider so that you may effectively compare schools. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.
Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? The majority of pharmacy technician colleges and trade schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among 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 verified to provide a complete superior education. Online programs may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Be sure to check that the certificate or degree program together with the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. In addition to helping guarantee that you obtain a quality education, it may help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And many Pomona 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 mandated in all states, but a number of employers desire that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacist tech school should prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This qualification may be met by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires 1 year of professional experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the colleges have associations with Pomona CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Offer Job Placement Help? Securing that first job in Pomona CA upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a difficult task without any support. Find out if the colleges you are considering have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the profession generating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can refer graduates.
Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Pomona CA home. Those who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program also.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacist technician program you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Pomona CA area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.