Hey there. I've got a quick sticky situation that I want your opinion on. I work at a drug store as a front end Cashier and sometimes at the pharmacy register as well. Problem is, I am barely getting paid enough to make it, and all the while I am not getting any technician experience, which is something important that I've been holding on for.

I am planning to take the PTCB test in July which should increase my odds at a tech job somewhat. However, it will be August before I get the results back, and upon passing I will still have to continue applying for a tech job. My hours are low at my current job. What would you do if in pre-pharmacy with a drug store cashier job-- leave the store for much more hours? or would you spend your time here in hopes of it looking good on your resume?

What I am worried about is say, leaving the pharmacy for Subway or something and getting more hours, but also getting passed over on a tech job because I went into the food industry. Is that even something to worry about with a tech certification?

ugh.... you couldnt pay me any amount of money to be in the "food industry".

I'd interview at another pharmacy first, or ask if you could pick up more hours at another store in the chain (if applicable). Tell the other places you are planning on your tech certification.

Hey there. I've got a quick sticky situation that I want your opinion on. I work at a drug store as a front end Cashier and sometimes at the pharmacy register as well. Problem is, I am barely getting paid enough to make it, and all the while I am not getting any technician experience, which is something important that I've been holding on for.

I am planning to take the PTCB test in July which should increase my odds at a tech job somewhat. However, it will be August before I get the results back, and upon passing I will still have to continue applying for a tech job. My hours are low at my current job. What would you do if in pre-pharmacy with a drug store cashier job-- leave the store for much more hours? or would you spend your time here in hopes of it looking good on your resume?

What I am worried about is say, leaving the pharmacy for Subway or something and getting more hours, but also getting passed over on a tech job because I went into the food industry. Is that even something to worry about with a tech certification?


OMG, you can actually make more money working at SUBWAY than as a pharm tech in Alabama? :eek: Oh well, at least Subway doesn't have a drive thru window :rolleyes:

Well, I am not a pharmacy tech but a cashier right now. Of course a certified pharmacy tech would make more than Subway (not much more though).

Let's just say that we start off at 5.50/hr as cashiers, and recently I was close to getting a job as tech in the back (without certification), and there would have been no pay raise for that position move that I am aware of. I am only aware of yearly raises and that would not even break $6.00.

So anyway, once I am certified I will certainly be looking for places that will pay more for the certification, or just more in general. Right now though, as a cashier at a pharmacy, I make as much money as a Subway employee does at start. Naturally that's a sucky pay in my opinion- but it's low enough without having only like 6-15 hours to make it worse.

BTW, thanks, DownonthePharm. I have done all of those things, but I have been trying for months and this area is obviously a hard break. I kind of agree with your position on the food chains.

I'm broke!