How do I Choose the Best Pharmacy Tech School?

There are four items to consider when you are looking for the best pharmacy tech school: accreditation, faculty credentials, industry connections, and alumni graduation rates. These four items measure the program quality, level of teaching expertise, and the graduate employment rate. A pharmacy tech school provides the training necessary to become a pharmacy technician. Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of a pharmacist, completing prescription orders and managing pharmacy inventory and records.

The best pharmacy tech school will have been accredited by the appropriate agency. Accreditation is a review by an independent third party who is responsible for confirming the academic qualifications of the faculty, administrative policies, and the degree management process. The accreditation represents a minimum standard of quality and is not meant to be a school review system. Academic credits earned at an accredited school can be transferred to other schools. In addition, accredited schools are able to offer government student aid, which is an important tool for student funding.

Review the credentials of the faculty or teaching staff when selecting a pharmacy school. The best pharmacy tech school will have faculty who are published, conducting active research in pharmacy technology, and have relevant pharmacy industry experience. Avoid schools that are unwilling to provide details on the qualifications of their teaching staff.

Talk with the school enrollment counselor to determine the level of cooperation with the local pharmaceutical industry. Ask about opportunities to meet people in industry, seminars offered by pharmacists and related companies, internship programs, and other opportunities to meet industry leaders. Review the information on the work placement term, if any, organized by the school. The level of interaction with industry employers is critical to ensuring the curriculum is relevant and meets current requirements.

Every post-secondary institute collects statistics on graduate employment rates. These reports at compiled three, six and 12 months after graduation. Information collected includes current position title, full time, part time or contract, starting salary, and if the position is in the field of study. These statistics are very valuable, as they reflect the effectiveness of the school at preparing students for employment in their field. The best pharmacy tech school will have a high alumni graduate employment rate in the field of study.

Look at the course offerings to determine if the school is providing the latest technology training. Discuss the courses available after graduation and evaluate their relevance to employers' needs, certification, and career advancement opportunities. All these items are very important when you are selecting the best pharmacy tech school.