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Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools
Once you have determined whether you wish to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school options. There are many pharmacist technician colleges to choose from in the San Bruno CA area and throughout the USA, so you should create a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for colleges that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your San Bruno residence. If you are able to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be critical. But there are many other issues that you should consider in order to effectively compare schools. The following questions will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate selection.
Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? Most pharmacist technician colleges and trade schools have obtained a regional or national 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 screened and verified to offer a complete superior education. Online colleges may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance learning. Make sure to check that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Besides helping make sure that you get a superior education, it can help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of San Bruno CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the School Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many pharmacies prefer that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacist tech college should prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This condition can be fulfilled by participating in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Provide Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of experience for certification, which can be met with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Ask if the programs have associations with San Bruno CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Offer Job Placement Assistance? Securing that initial position in San Bruno CA after graduation, especially with no experience, can be a challenging endeavor without some assistance. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduating students.
Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they choose will have to be within driving distance of their San Bruno CA residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program also.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the pharmacy technician program you finally choose can furnish 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 San Bruno CA area, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.