Which Pharmacy Technician Schools Are Wrong For You?
There are plenty of options for training to become a pharmacy technician in Texas; however, some schools are likely to be outright wrong for your needs. Set yourself up for success and avoid pharmacy technician schools that are completely unsuitable by considering the following.
1. Cost and Financial Aid
Paying for your education should be considered an investment, but if a school is out of your budget it is probably the wrong choice for you. Many schools offer financial aid to enable more students to afford tuition. If this is a priority for you, only consider schools where you may be eligible for a grant or scholarship as well as those that offer financial services finding students support through external organizations.
2. Schedule
If you are able to attend school full time, the schedule should be no problem. However, if you have kids, a job, or other commitments, you may need to look for schools that offer part-time or online programs.
3. Subject Matter
Programs should teach you everything you need to know to begin work as a pharmacy technician, including prescription processing, FDA drug safety, pharmacology, and basic compounding. Avoid any schools that offer generic health care courses or programs that do not lead to any specific certifications.
4. Practical Experience
In addition to theoretical knowledge, you need practical experience to work in a pharmaceutical environment. Steer clear of any schools that provide only classroom instruction and no hands-on training.
5. Accreditation
If you gain certification from a school that lacks accreditation, potential employers are unlikely to take you seriously, meaning that you will have a much greater difficulty finding a job. Schools should prepare you to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), the requirement to work as a pharmacy technician in Texas. In addition, accreditation improves your chances of gaining financial aid.
6. Job Connections
Some schools offer training and nothing more. Whereas it is relatively easy to find a pharmacy technician job in Texas once you are certified, you will have a head start over other job seekers if your school offers career advice for graduates. Hold schools in higher esteem if they offer services such as resume building, interview preparation, and job fairs.
7. Admission Requirements
Immediately rule out any schools where you cannot meet admission requirements. Most pharmacy technician schools expect applicants to hold a high school diploma to begin training. However eager you are to begin a new career as a pharmacy technician, avoid enrolling in the first school you come across. Instead, make sure you conduct all the necessary research to find the right program for your needs.
