Can anyone give me some tips to obtaining my first pharmacy technician job?

[MouaBoy96]

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Hey everyone, I am a future pharmacist looking to get my feet wet in the field by working as a pharmacy technician. I completed a pharmacy technician certificate program at my university but all the classes were online so I did not get any hands-on learning or experience. I took the PTCB exam on July 13 and was told I passed based on the preliminary results, I am still waiting for the official score and certificate. I've been applying for pharmacy technician positions around my area of Anchorage, Alaska but has yet to get a call back. I've applied to almost all of the Safeways and Walgreens here and have been waiting for about two weeks. Are there any tips or recommendations that you guys have that can help me out?? The only available place that I know of where I can volunteer to get some hands-on experience is at the VA Center (which I probably will do)

Edit: I forgot to mention that I have my Alaska Pharmacy Technician License

 

[appleaday1234]

Depending on your state, you may need to be licensed by the state as a pharmacy technician to be able to work at a pharmacy as a tech. Volunteering will help you. Check Alaska state law to make sure that you don't need to get a license to be a pharmacy technician (I'm not from Alaska).

 

[MouaBoy96]

Depending on your state, you may need to be licensed by the state as a pharmacy technician to be able to work at a pharmacy as a tech. Volunteering will help you. Check Alaska state law to make sure that you don't need to get a license to be a pharmacy technician (I'm not from Alaska).

I forgot to mention that I am already licensed.

 

[appleaday1234]

I guess it's a waiting game then. Depending on demand you might hear from them.

Get used to medication names, and brand vs generics (try to learn the most frequently used- learning the top 200 list isn't going to help you, as you'll learn as you get accustomed to seeing them).

 

[MouaBoy96]

I guess it's a waiting game then. Depending on demand you might hear from them.

Get used to medication names, and brand vs generics (try to learn the most frequently used- learning the top 200 list isn't going to help you, as you'll learn as you get accustomed to seeing them).

Thanks for the tip 🙂

 

[MyRealNameIs]

Did you go to school or just take the test?

If you just took the test, you have 0 pharmacy tech experience and knowing brand vs generic is pretty useless.

You can look it up on the system if a pt asks, or the system automatically converts it for you when you type for prescriptions.

I can't speak about other pharmacies but Walgreens love hiring from within.

If you are not applying this pharmcas cycle, I suggest you get a job as a service clerk and make it explicit that you are planning to work as a pharmacy technician. If you are applying this pharmcas cycle, it may be very difficult for you to get a job in time by just waiting unless you live out of nowhere.

If you live in a tech saturated neighborhood, this will be the best way. No one is going to hire you over a tech that graduated from school and got internship experience.

 

[MouaBoy96]

Did you go to school or just take the test?

If you just took the test, you have 0 pharmacy tech experience and knowing brand vs generic is pretty useless.

You can look it up on the system if a pt asks, or the system automatically converts it for you when you type for prescriptions.

I can't speak about other pharmacies but Walgreens love hiring from within.

If you are not applying this pharmcas cycle, I suggest you get a job as a service clerk and make it explicit that you are planning to work as a pharmacy technician. If you are applying this pharmcas cycle, it may be very difficult for you to get a job in time by just waiting unless you live out of nowhere.

If you live in a tech saturated neighborhood, this will be the best way. No one is going to hire you over a tech that graduated from school and got internship experience.

My University had a program for Pharmacy Technology where we learned basically everything that a technician needs to know (pharmacology, law, machines, etc). The only thing that was not provided was hands-on learning. So technically, I did go to school to be a pharmacy technician. I did not do an internship.

I am starting my sophomore year of undergrad so I am not applying for pharmcas for a couple years.

Do you have any tips on how to find internships or any other useful tips? What's your take on volunteer experience also?

 

[appleaday1234]

Finding other places to volunteer/intern would require networking and connections. Try to ask around your area where you live or go to school.

 

[MouaBoy96]

Finding other places to volunteer/intern would require networking and connections. Try to ask around your area where you live or go to school.

Thanks for the tip 🙂

 

[MyRealNameIs]

It is not hard to be a volunteer at a hospital. Just go to any hospital and ask. Big hospitals will have a link for volunteers on their website.

I know for Walgreens, we do not take interns unless your pharm tech school is contracted with Walgreens. Probably the same for most chains. Since your school did not provide any on job training, it probably isn't contracted with any pharmacies.

If there is an independent pharmacy in your area, try asking them if they will hire someone as intern. The independents are less busy and might be willing to train someone with no experience.

You have a lot of time so I guess waiting about 6 months to see if you can land a job will be fine.

 

[MouaBoy96]

It is not hard to be a volunteer at a hospital. Just go to any hospital and ask. Big hospitals will have a link for volunteers on their website.

I know for Walgreens, we do not take interns unless your pharm tech school is contracted with Walgreens. Probably the same for most chains. Since your school did not provide any on job training, it probably isn't contracted with any pharmacies.

If there is an independent pharmacy in your area, try asking them if they will hire someone as intern. The independents are less busy and might be willing to train someone with no experience.

You have a lot of time so I guess waiting about 6 months to see if you can land a job will be fine.

Thanks a lot! I didn't even think about independent pharmacies. I'll definitely give that a shot. 🙂

 

[PharmHealth_KI]

Apply EVERYWHERE near where you live. Eventually, you should get a call back, but it all depends on the demand in your area. Also, try to call some places that you know have openings and speak to the pharmacy manager to get your name out there (after you have applied).

In the meantime, you should try to shadow a pharmacist while you wait for a tech position.

 

[pharmacycoffee]

Don't wait for a call back. Call them or go in and ask to speak to the manager. The squeaky wheel gets oiled first

 

[nutripharma]

Hey everyone, I am a future pharmacist looking to get my feet wet in the field by working as a pharmacy technician. I completed a pharmacy technician certificate program at my university but all the classes were online so I did not get any hands-on learning or experience. I took the PTCB exam on July 13 and was told I passed based on the preliminary results, I am still waiting for the official score and certificate. I've been applying for pharmacy technician positions around my area of Anchorage, Alaska but has yet to get a call back. I've applied to almost all of the Safeways and Walgreens here and have been waiting for about two weeks. Are there any tips or recommendations that you guys have that can help me out?? The only available place that I know of where I can volunteer to get some hands-on experience is at the VA Center (which I probably will do)

Edit: I forgot to mention that I have my Alaska Pharmacy Technician License

I'm not sure if Alaska has warehouse clubs like Sam's Club and Costco or another alternative, but if they do APPLY THERE!!!! Their pharm techs get paid way better and have better hours. Try supermarkets, hospitals, and nursing homes. Good luck!

 

[MouaBoy96]

I'm not sure if Alaska has warehouse clubs like Sam's Club and Costco or another alternative, but if they do APPLY THERE!!!! Their pharm techs get paid way better and have better hours. Try supermarkets, hospitals, and nursing homes. Good luck!

Yeah, we have both Costco and Sam's Club. I've only applied to Costco but have not receive a call yet. How would you go in to talk to the pharmacy manager if you don't have a membership??

 

[MouaBoy96]

Don't wait for a call back. Call them or go in and ask to speak to the manager. The squeaky wheel gets oiled first

Thanks for the tip, I'll try that method as well 🙂

 

[nutripharma]

Yeah, we have both Costco and Sam's Club. I've only applied to Costco but have not receive a call yet. How would you go in to talk to the pharmacy manager if you don't have a membership??

I go in all the time without showing a membership, my mom has the card and I don't. If they ask you for a card, just say you need to speak to someone at the pharmacy quickly. They won't harass you for the membership card. Sam's club is so lenient, they won't really notice. You can also call them too. Just state that you have applied after noticing they were hiring and you were wondering if anyone has reviewed your application. You can say the same thing in person. Hope this helps!

 

[Itsjustme3]

Your first tech job will probably be a Temp or PRN job. Try and network to get to know whats going on "hiring wise" at places. After you've applied to a listing online bring in your resume in person (look professional). There are some weird people in this world, a lot of times seeing how normal/professional you look will take you a long way.

 

[MouaBoy96]

Your first tech job will probably be a Temp or PRN job. Try and network to get to know whats going on "hiring wise" at places. After you've applied to a listing online bring in your resume in person (look professional). There are some weird people in this world, a lot of times seeing how normal/professional you look will take you a long way.

Haha thanks a lot 🙂

 

[MouaBoy96]

I go in all the time without showing a membership, my mom has the card and I don't. If they ask you for a card, just say you need to speak to someone at the pharmacy quickly. They won't harass you for the membership card. Sam's club is so lenient, they won't really notice. You can also call them too. Just state that you have applied after noticing they were hiring and you were wondering if anyone has reviewed your application. You can say the same thing in person. Hope this helps!

Alright, Thanks I'll try that 🙂

 

[prepharmpanda]

I would go to the pharmacies around your area and ask the pharmacy manager if they are looking for pharm techs. If not, ask if you could shadow him/her/their other pharmacists.

...that's what I've been doing this entire summer, haha. I was able to network to someone in my hometown who happened to be a graduate from the same university I attended, and she helped set up an interview with the manager and head pharmacist - was offered a part time job the same day and I accepted.

 

[SClENCE]

The best thing to do in my opinion is to go into the store with resume in hand as opposed to hitting send online and waiting for a call.

Tell them that you are looking to apply as a pharmacy technician and mention that you are looking to apply to pharmacy school/are a college student or graduate.

This is what I did and was hired pretty much on the spot at the first pharmacy I walked into. They never even interviewed me.

 

[MouaBoy96]

I would go to the pharmacies around your area and ask the pharmacy manager if they are looking for pharm techs. If not, ask if you could shadow him/her/their other pharmacists.

...that's what I've been doing this entire summer, haha. I was able to network to someone in my hometown who happened to be a graduate from the same university I attended, and she helped set up an interview with the manager and head pharmacist - was offered a part time job the same day and I accepted.

Thanks a lot! I will get my resume ready over the weekend and spend my day on monday going into pharmacies 🙂

 

[MouaBoy96]

The best thing to do in my opinion is to go into the store with resume in hand as opposed to hitting send online and waiting for a call.

Tell them that you are looking to apply as a pharmacy technician and mention that you are looking to apply to pharmacy school/are a college student or graduate.

This is what I did and was hired pretty much on the spot at the first pharmacy I walked into. They never even interviewed me.

Thanks a lot! 🙂 Like I said in my previous post, I will spend all of monday going through pharmacies 🙂

 

[PharmHealth_KI]

Thanks a lot! 🙂 Like I said in my previous post, I will spend all of monday going through pharmacies 🙂

Let us know how it goes. Good Luck!

 

[MouaBoy96]

Thanks so much everyone! I was offered an inpatient pharmacy tech position at the hospital and will be starting next Monday!