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What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs
Once you have determined whether you want to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online program or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacist technician colleges to pick from in the South Lake Tahoe CA area and throughout the United States, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly first start looking for schools that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your South Lake Tahoe residence. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be critical. But there are a number of other factors that you need to take into consideration in order to effectively compare schools. The following questions will assist you in collecting that information and help you to make your final choice.
Is the Pharmacy Tech Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacist tech programs and vocational schools have earned a national or regional accreditation. One of the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Schools earning accreditation from the ASHP have been evaluated and verified to provide a complete quality education. Online programs may also earn 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 college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. In addition to helping ensure that you get a superior education, it can help in securing 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 South Lake Tahoe CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have earned a degree from an accredited school.
Does the College Ready You for Certification? Certification is not required in every state, but many pharmacies desire that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacist tech program needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of work experience. This qualification can be met by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires one year of job experience for certification, which can be fulfilled by means of an internship program. Perhaps the best way to obtain hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy technician degree or certificate programs also require practical training prior to graduation and an internship is a great way to fulfill the requirement. Check if the programs have associations with South Lake Tahoe CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Provide Job Placement Help? Finding that initial position in South Lake Tahoe CA upon graduation, particularly with no professional experience, can be a difficult undertaking without any assistance. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indication that the college has an excellent reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of employer contacts where it can refer graduating students.
Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their South Lake Tahoe CA residence. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the pharmacist technician college you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the South Lake Tahoe CA area, make certain 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 have to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.