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What to Ask Pharmacy Tech Colleges
After you have determined whether you wish to earn a degree or a certificate, and if you prefer to enroll in an online college or go to classes on campus, you can start to target your school options. There are a large number of pharmacist tech schools to choose from in the Yucca Valley CA area and throughout the United States, so you need to develop a list of qualifying questions so that you can compare community colleges and vocational schools. As we discussed in our introduction, you will most likely initially look for schools that are within both your financial budget and commuting distance from your Yucca Valley residence. If you are willing to move or are have decided to enroll in an online pharmacy tech school, then location may not be important. But there are many other issues that you should consider so that you may effectively compare colleges. The questions below will help you in collecting that information and help you to make your final selection.
Is the Pharmacy Tech College Accredited? Many pharmacy technician programs and vocational schools have acquired a regional or national accreditation. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Programs earning accreditation from the ASHP have been screened and verified to furnish a comprehensive superior education. Online colleges may additionally receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which deals only with online or distance learning. Make sure to verify that the certificate or degree program in addition to the college you pick are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. In addition to helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it might assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, certification might mandate that the training program is accredited. And many Yucca Valley 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 required in all states, but numerous employers desire that the techs they hire are certified. The pharmacy tech program should prepare its students to pass the NHA or the PTCB examination. Students interested in obtaining NHA certification will also need 1 year of professional experience. This qualification may be fulfilled by participating in a school sponsored internship program.
Does the College Offer Internship Programs? As we previously covered, the NHA mandates 1 year of professional experience for certification, which can be fulfilled through an internship program. Perhaps the best way to acquire practical clinical experience as a pharmacy tech is to work out in the field. Most pharmacy tech certificate or degree programs also require clinical 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 Yucca Valley CA area pharmacies, clinics, or hospitals for internship programs.
Does the School Give Job Placement Help? Getting that initial job in Yucca Valley CA after graduation, especially with no prior experience, can be a difficult endeavor without some assistance. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high job placement rate is an indicator that the school has a good reputation within the profession creating appeal 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 many students, the college they select will need to be within travelling distance of their Yucca Valley CA home. Students who have decided 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 importance. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition to those students that don't reside within their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the pharmacy technician program as well.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the pharmacist technician school you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Yucca Valley CA area, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.