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Questions to Ask Pharmacy Technician Colleges
After you have decided whether you want to earn a certificate or degree, and if you prefer to enroll in an online school or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are many pharmacist technician schools to pick from in the Van Nuys CA area and throughout the Country, so you should develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare colleges and vocational schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for programs that are within both your financial resources and driving distance from your Van Nuys home. If you are willing to move or are going to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be significant. But there are many other variables that you need to consider so that you may adequately compare programs. The following questions will assist you to gather that information and help you to make your final selection.
Is the Pharmacy Technician School Accredited? Most pharmacist technician colleges and trade schools have obtained a regional or national 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 screened and certified to furnish a complete superior education. Online programs may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with distance or online education. Be sure to check that the certificate or degree program as well as the college you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. In addition to helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it can help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification may require that the program of training is accredited. And many Van Nuys CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the Program Prep You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but a number of pharmacies prefer that the technicians they employ be certified. The pharmacy tech school should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of job experience. This requirement can be fulfilled by entering a school sponsored internship program.
Does the School Offer Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires a year of experience for certification, which may be satisfied with an internship program. One of the best ways to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to train out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require clinical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to satisfy the requirement. Ask if the colleges have a working relationship with Van Nuys CA area pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics for internship programs.
Does the College Give Job Placement Assistance? Securing that initial job in Van Nuys CA after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a difficult endeavor without some help. Find out if the schools you are looking at have job placement programs. If they do, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indication that the school has a good reputation within the profession creating demand for its graduates. It also signifies that it has a sizable network of pharmacy relationships where it can place graduates.
Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Van Nuys CA residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically 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 kind of person that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the colleges you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the pharmacist tech program as well.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacist technician program you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Van Nuys CA area, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative 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 as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.