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Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs
Once you have determined whether you would like to earn a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist tech schools to pick from in the Rohnert Park CA area and throughout the United States, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Rohnert Park home. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are many other variables that you need to take into consideration so that you may properly compare schools. The following questions will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.
Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? The majority of pharmacist technician colleges and trade schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to provide a comprehensive quality education. Online programs may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance education. Don't forget to verify that the degree or certificate program in addition to the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. Besides helping ensure that you get a quality education, it might assist in getting financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Rohnert Park CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the Program Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but numerous pharmacies prefer that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacist tech college needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of work experience. This condition can be met by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires one year of professional experience for certification, which can be met with an internship program. One of the best ways to get practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech 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 a great way to fulfill the requirement. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with Rohnert Park CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Provide Job Placement Assistance? Securing that initial job in Rohnert Park CA upon graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a difficult task without any support. Ask if the schools you are researching have job assistance programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduates.
Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their Rohnert Park CA residence. Individuals who have opted 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 importance. Something to bear 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 normally 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.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program also.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacy technician school you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Rohnert Park CA area, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.