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Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools
Once you have determined whether you wish to attain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can begin to target your school alternatives. There are numerous pharmacy tech programs to select from in the San Fernando CA area and throughout the United States, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and trade schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your San Fernando home. If you are able to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are a number of other issues that you should consider so that you may effectively compare schools. The following questions will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final choice.
Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Many pharmacy tech programs and trade schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to furnish a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance learning. Make sure to check that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. Besides helping ensure that you get a quality education, it can help in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of San Fernando 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 every state, but a number of pharmacies desire that the technicians they employ are certified. The pharmacy technician college needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will also need one year of job experience. This condition can be fulfilled by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the College Sponsor Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates one year of job experience for certification, which may be fulfilled by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician certificate or degree 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 San Fernando CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Give Job Placement Help? Finding that first job in San Fernando CA after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a daunting undertaking without some help. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job assistance programs. If they do, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a substantial network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduates.
Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will need to be within driving distance of their San Fernando CA home. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically 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.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program also.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacy technician school you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the San Fernando 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 credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.