It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Pharmacy Tech Career Below
Points to Ask Pharmacy Technician Programs
Once you have decided whether you want to obtain a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or go to classes on campus, you can begin to narrow your school alternatives. There are many pharmacist tech schools to choose from in the Temple City CA area and throughout the Country, so you need to create a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and driving distance from your Temple City residence. If you are able to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech college, then location may not be critical. But there are many other issues that you should take into consideration so that you may properly compare colleges. The questions below will assist you in gathering that information and help you to make your ultimate decision.
Is the Pharmacy Technician College Accredited? Most pharmacy technician programs 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). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and certified to provide a complete superior education. Online schools may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online learning. Be sure to verify that the certificate or degree program as well as the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. Besides helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it might help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification may mandate that the program of training is accredited. And a number of Temple City CA pharmacies 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 desire that the techs they employ are certified. The pharmacist technician program needs to prepare its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA examination. Students planning on obtaining NHA certification will additionally need 1 year of work experience. This qualification may be fulfilled by taking part in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the College Provide Internship Programs? As we just discussed, the NHA mandates a year of job experience for certification, which may be satisfied 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 practical training in order to graduate and an internship is a great way to meet the requirement. Check if the schools have associations with Temple City CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the School Provide Job Placement Assistance? Securing that initial job in Temple City CA after graduation, particularly with no prior experience, can be a challenging task without any support. Find out if the schools you are researching have job placement programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the field generating demand for its graduates. It also means that it has a large network of pharmacy contacts where it can refer graduating students.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they select will have to be within driving distance of their Temple City CA home. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist tech program also.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the pharmacy technician college you finally pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Temple City CA area, verify that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family obligations.