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Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Schools
Once you have decided whether you wish to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer 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 pharmacist tech programs to choose from in the Rosedale CA area and throughout the Country, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for colleges that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Rosedale home. If you are able 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 issues that you should take into consideration in order to properly compare colleges. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.
Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Many pharmacy tech colleges and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national 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 evaluated and verified to provide a comprehensive superior education. Online colleges may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online education. Don't forget to verify that the certificate or degree program together with the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. In addition to helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it may help in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And a number of Rosedale CA employers 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 mandated in every state, but a number of pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech college should ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This qualification can be satisfied by entering a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires one year of professional experience for certification, which may be satisfied 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 tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the colleges have a working relationship with Rosedale CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Offer Job Placement Help? Getting that first position in Rosedale CA after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a difficult endeavor without any assistance. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the college has a good reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a substantial network of employer contacts where it can refer graduates.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the school they choose will need to be within commuting distance of their Rosedale CA residence. Those who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program also.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacist tech school you finally choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Rosedale CA area, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.