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Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools
After you have decided whether you would like to attain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist technician colleges to select from in the San Marino CA area and throughout the Country, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and trade schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will probably initially look for colleges that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your San Marino residence. If you are able to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are many other factors that you must take into consideration so that you may effectively compare schools. The questions below will help you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate choice.
Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Most pharmacy tech programs and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to furnish a comprehensive superior education. Online schools may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Make sure to verify that the degree or certificate program as well as the college you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Along with helping guarantee that you obtain a superior education, it might assist in getting financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And a number of San Marino CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the School Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but many pharmacies prefer that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacy tech school needs to prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of professional experience. This qualification can be fulfilled by entering a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires one year of experience for certification, which can be fulfilled through an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Ask if the programs have associations with San Marino CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the School Provide Job Placement Assistance? Getting that initial job in San Marino CA after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a challenging undertaking without some support. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the field creating appeal for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can place graduating students.
Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they pick will need to be within driving distance of their San Marino CA residence. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes 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 one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. 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 some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program also.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the pharmacist technician college you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the San Marino CA area, make sure that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family obligations.