It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below
Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges
Once you have decided whether you wish to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy technician programs to choose from in the Ramona CA area and throughout the Country, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and trade schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Ramona home. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be significant. But there are many other issues that you must take into consideration in order to adequately compare schools. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.
Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? Many pharmacy technician programs and vocational schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to offer a complete quality education. Online schools may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance learning. Be sure to check that the degree or certificate program in addition to the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Besides helping make sure that you receive a quality education, it might assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And many Ramona CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the College Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but a number of employers prefer that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacist technician school should ready its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of work experience. This condition may be fulfilled by entering a school sponsored internship program.
Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA requires one year of job experience for certification, which may be met with an internship program. One of the best ways to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Check if the colleges have associations with Ramona CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Finding that initial job in Ramona CA after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some help. Ask if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication 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 employer relationships where it can refer graduating students.
Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Ramona CA residence. Individuals who have opted 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. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering 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 determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the pharmacist tech college you finally choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Ramona CA area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.