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Points to Ask Pharmacy Tech Schools
After you have decided whether you would like to obtain 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 narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist technician schools to pick from in the Solana Beach CA area and throughout the Country, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast community colleges and vocational schools. As we covered in our introduction, you will most likely first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Solana Beach residence. If you are willing to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be important. But there are several other variables that you must consider so that you may effectively compare schools. The following questions will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.
Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Many pharmacy technician programs and vocational schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to offer a complete superior education. Online schools may additionally earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance learning. Be sure to confirm that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting agency. Along with helping make sure that you get a quality education, it can help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And many Solana Beach CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the College Prepare You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in every state, but many employers prefer that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacist tech school needs to prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of professional experience. This condition may be satisfied by taking part in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the School Sponsor Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates one year of professional experience for certification, which can be met through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with Solana Beach CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the School Provide Job Placement Assistance? Getting that initial position in Solana Beach CA after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a daunting task without any support. Find out if the schools you are considering have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the school has an excellent reputation within the profession generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can place graduating students.
Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they pick will need to be within travelling distance of their Solana Beach CA home. Students who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacist tech program you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Solana Beach CA area, confirm that they are offered. 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 have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family obligations.