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Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs
Once you have determined whether you wish to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or go to classes on campus, you can start to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist technician schools to choose from in the Santee CA area and throughout the USA, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will probably first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Santee residence. If you are willing to relocate or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are several other variables that you need to consider so that you may properly compare programs. The questions below will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your final selection.
Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacist tech colleges and vocational schools have earned 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 verified to furnish a complete quality education. Online schools may additionally obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals solely with online or distance education. Don't forget to confirm that the degree or certificate program as well as the school you choose are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. In addition to helping guarantee that you get a quality education, it can assist in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the training program is accredited. And many Santee CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the College Prep You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many pharmacies desire that the techs they employ be certified. The pharmacy technician school needs to prep its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This condition can be met by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we previously discussed, the NHA requires one year of professional experience for certification, which may be met with an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require clinical training prior to graduation and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Check if the colleges have associations with Santee CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the School Provide Job Placement Help? Securing that initial job in Santee CA upon graduation, especially 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, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also indicates that it has a large network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduates.
Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they pick will need to be within travelling distance of their Santee CA residence. Individuals who have chosen 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 choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify 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 school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Santee CA area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.