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Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools
After you have determined whether you wish to earn a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school options. There are many pharmacist tech programs to choose from in the San Pedro CA area and throughout the USA, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for colleges that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your San Pedro residence. If you are willing to relocate or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are many other issues that you should consider in order to adequately compare programs. The following questions will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.
Is the Pharmacy Tech School Accredited? The majority of pharmacy technician colleges and trade schools have obtained a national or regional accreditation. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and certified to offer a complete quality education. Online programs may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online learning. Make sure to confirm that the degree or certificate program as well as the school you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it can assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And a number of San Pedro CA employers will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in all states, but a number of employers prefer that the techs they hire be certified. The pharmacist technician program should prep its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of work experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA requires one year of professional experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. One of the best ways to obtain practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the colleges have a working relationship with San Pedro CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Give Job Placement Assistance? Finding that first job in San Pedro CA after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a difficult endeavor without any assistance. Ask if the colleges you are researching have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the college has an excellent reputation within the field generating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can refer graduates.
Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their San Pedro CA home. Individuals who have decided 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 concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school 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 commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacist technician program you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the San Pedro CA area, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.