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Questions to Ask Pharmacy Tech Programs
Once you have determined whether you wish to obtain a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or attend classes on campus, you can start to target your school alternatives. There are a large number of pharmacy technician colleges to select from in the Yucaipa CA area and throughout the USA, so you must develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can contrast colleges and technical schools. As we addressed in our introduction, you will undoubtedly initially look for programs that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Yucaipa residence. If you are willing to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech program, then location may not be critical. But there are several other issues that you need to consider in order to properly compare colleges. The questions below will help you to gather that information and help you to make your final decision.
Is the Pharmacy Technician Program Accredited? The majority of pharmacy tech programs and vocational schools have earned a regional or national accreditation. Among the most respected accrediting agencies is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Colleges earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to offer a comprehensive quality education. Online colleges may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals exclusively with distance or online learning. Be sure to verify that the degree or certificate program in addition to the school you select are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting organization. Along with helping guarantee that you get a superior education, it might help in getting financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, certification might require that the training program is accredited. And a number of Yucaipa CA pharmacies will only hire entry level employees that have graduated from an accredited program.
Does the School Ready You for Certification? Certification is not mandated in all states, but numerous employers desire that the technicians they hire be certified. The pharmacist technician school should ready its students to pass the PTCB or the NHA exam. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will additionally need one year of job experience. This requirement can be satisfied by participating in a college sponsored internship program.
Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we just covered, the NHA requires one year of job experience for certification, which can be satisfied by means of an internship program. One of the best ways to get hands on clinical experience as a pharmacy technician is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech degree or certificate programs also require practical training in order to graduate and an internship is an excellent way to meet the requirement. Ask if the schools have associations with Yucaipa CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the College Offer Job Placement Help? Securing that initial position in Yucaipa CA after graduation, particularly with no experience, can be a difficult undertaking without any support. Ask if the colleges you are considering have job placement programs. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher job placement rate is an indicator that the college has a good reputation within the profession creating appeal for its graduates. It also means that it has a sizable network of employer relationships 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 Yucaipa CA residence. Those who have opted 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. One thing to bear 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 might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that don't reside within their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the back of class or get lost 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 reviewing 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 final decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacist technician program as well.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the pharmacy technician school you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Yucaipa CA area, verify that they are available. 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 enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.