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Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs
Once you have determined whether you wish to attain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy technician colleges to select from in the Salinas CA area and throughout the Country, so you must create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for programs that are within both your financial resources and commuting distance from your Salinas home. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be significant. But there are a number of other issues that you should consider in order to properly compare programs. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? The majority of pharmacy technician colleges and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to provide a complete quality education. Online programs may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Be sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. In addition to helping guarantee that you get a quality education, it might help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And many Salinas CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but many employers prefer that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech school needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This condition can be fulfilled by entering a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates a year of job experience for certification, which can be satisfied with an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the colleges have a working relationship with Salinas CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the School Offer Job Placement Help? Securing that initial position in Salinas CA after graduation, especially with no professional experience, can be a daunting task without any help. Find out if the colleges you are researching have job placement programs. If so, find out 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 means that it has a substantial network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduates.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the school they select will need to be within commuting distance of their Salinas CA residence. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the average teacher to student 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 talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacy tech college you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Salinas CA area, check that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.