Fastest Way to go about finding a pharm tech position?

[pharmerted]

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Hello, I was wondering, what exactly is the best and fastest way to go about finding a pharm tech job?

i just went to my local CVS and asked if there were any openings for technicians, and the pharmacist there told me no, gave me the brush off and just told me fill out an application or do it online.

what's the best way, and where is it the easiest? (drug stores, supermarkets, kmart, independents, hospitals, etc??)

Thanks!!!

 

[npp71681]

Hi!
pharmerted,

From my own experience I would definitely say Retail(drug stores) is the easiest to get a position as a Pharmacy Technician. Tell them that you are a Pre-Pharm, need experience, etc... And when you go to those pharmacies ask for the Pharmacy Manager(he/she does hirings).

It took me almost a year to get a job at hospital, I had no previous experience as Pharm Tech, but I had Certificate Degree in Pharm Tech. Hospitals usually require atleast 6 months experience and much more.

When I started to look for job in retail, I got job just in a week.

Keep trying! and Keep applying at your surrounding pharmacies.

 

[Sosumi]

If you want a retail pharm tech job, what I found out was to talk to the pharmacy manager at that store, and explain your situation, then try to get the phone number for their pharmacy district manager. Contact the district manager and explain your qualifications and desire. They would be more able and possibly more willing to find job openings for you.

 

[Mindy510]

The easiest way is retail pharmacies. I've shadowed at hospital pharm. and it seemed really hard to get a job there if you've never worked at the pharmacy before. Keep trying and looking for other retails like Kerr Drug, Eckerd.... It's hard to find a job in pharmacy at this time. They usually need ppl in the end of July or Aug. It took me about 5 mths (from march to aug.) I'm working at Eckerd now. I like the job alot, surrounded by all nice ppl. 🙂

 

[ChemAngel]

I'm going to say what everyone else is saying:

Retail pharmacy is the fastest way.


Now to add to that:

Walgreens has this program where you agree to work with them....they give you two weeks of on-job training...and that is it, you are a tech.

They then pay for you to take the certification exam to become certified.

No degree, no previous job experience....can't go any faster than that.

 

[npp71681]

Hi!
ChemAngel,

Do you know what's the name of that specific program that Walgreens offers?
How long you have to work when you are in that program?

just wondering...

 

[pharmerted]

i've been trying at retail pharmacies, but no luck. any tips? should i go in person? apply online? call first to see if they have openings? try connections first?

will they hire someone with no previous experience?

 

[Apple]

Is Walgreen's Pharm Tech program really only two weeks? I just applied hehe. Thanks ChemAngel. Walgreen's website didn't give too great of a detail on the program, it just says you'll be certified within 18 months.

I've been asking around all my neighborhood Pharmacy's, and I get the same answer "currently not hiring." They'll ask me to submit an application, and most of them are through their computer/website... I wonder how many people apply, and how likely my application will stand out.

Well, goodluck to everyone 👍 👍

 

[npp71681]

Hi!
Apple,

Can you provide the link on where you found information on the program?

 

[Apple]

Hi!
Apple,

Can you provide the link on where you found information on the program?

During the application process from their website www.walgreens.com, you can click on "Pharmacy Tech" for more detail. They'll have information on the jobs task, skills, and potential. On the left hand side, there's quotes from a Manager John that provides a very brief information on the program.

"Pharmacy Technicians receive very thorough training and are expected to become certified within 18 months of taking the job. Walgreens will help you with certification training and typically pays your certification and exam fees. Certification requires a high school diploma or GED."

Here's the link to that page:

https://webapp.walgreens.com/SmartH...N=JOB_PREVIEW&PPH_LINK_NORMAL=PDSmartHireBack

 

[ChemAngel]

yup...the trick is just to get hired. In miami, we are in desperate need of techs...so it is relatively easy to get in.

Be aware that you might be doing a pharmacy cashier position first. Those people just do the outwindow...meaning, they just get the prescriptions out of the bin and explain to people that their insurance isn't covered.

Depending on your store is how fast you'll go up....but they will always pay for your certification to become a tech...but it isn't necessary to be certified to work as a tech at walgreens.

I never got my certification (granted I did go into pharmacy school and became an intern instead)..yet, because of the dire need of techs...the store that I was in stuck me working sundays alone with the pharmacist.

So I basically do all the stuff a certified tech does.

----------- big tip:

don't just apply online...that isn't how I got the job. Go to your local walgreens and ask who is the main person in charge of hiring. Usually it is a name of a person in the district...they will usually provide you the phone number and email.

Either call them or email them, saying that you are interested in an interview and that you have applied at the walgreens site, but want to know what else you can do to make this job happen.

When i did that, I got an interview...got the job...and 2 weeks of on-the-job-training (you have to work 2 full 40 hours weeks at a training store)...and that's it.

 

[DownonthePharm]

What would Walgreens do if you only wanted to work part time? I have a 8-5pm job and am going to school two nights a week, so obviously I cant do two weeks of 40hour/week training.

 

[Brock1385]

Hello, I was wondering, what exactly is the best and fastest way to go about finding a pharm tech job?

i just went to my local CVS and asked if there were any openings for technicians, and the pharmacist there told me no, gave me the brush off and just told me fill out an application or do it online.

what's the best way, and where is it the easiest? (drug stores, supermarkets, kmart, independents, hospitals, etc??)

Thanks!!!

I think I may able to give you a little advice.

First of all, the best way to get a pharmacy tech job is to know someone.
You may be thinking, "Well I don't know anyone who could help."

When you really think hard, you will find that you atleast know someone who knows someone that could possibly help you out.

Another thing that is extremely crappy... A thing that I try and be 100% sure that I do not do, is to blow people off when they come up asking if there are any openings.
Most likely, the days you go into the pharmacy and get blown off like this, the pharmacy manager isn't there. It wasn't until I got a job as a pharmacy tech that I realized my lack of success at getting a job was because I never visited the pharmacy and talked to the "Pharmacy Manager."
The pharmacy manager most likely wont blow you off like this; he/she may even be kind enough to call around to other stores to check if they need any techs.

Are you currently taking pre pharmacy in college? If so, there will definately be atleast a few people that are pharmacy techs. Ask them about job availability where they work.

I had searched forever for a position as a pharmacy tech and happened to find one just as I started classes at school. In lab one day, a guy overheard a conversation about pharmacy, and he said very quickly, "None of yall need a job do you?"

Just a little bit of what I have figured out about the whole situation. If you continue to search without success, try those things, and I assure you that you will find someone who can help you out.

Hope I helped some,
Brock

 

[letjin]

I never got my certification (granted I did go into pharmacy school and became an intern instead)..yet, because of the dire need of techs...the store that I was in stuck me working sundays alone with the pharmacist.

I have a question for you. I got a job this summer as a full-time pharmacy intern at Walgreens (I'm going to be P1 next year), what things separate pharm tech from an intern? Do they get paid differently? Is it dependent on how much stuff they do?


(BTW for the ones who are interested - Walgreens came to our school, paid us some dinner, I filled out an application, and I got a full-time internship at a store <1 mile from my house. So I guess if you are in pharmacy school, you can try to get a job at a career fair or something..)

 

[Z e r o X]

I think I may able to give you a little advice.

First of all, the best way to get a pharmacy tech job is to know someone.
You may be thinking, "Well I don't know anyone who could help."

When you really think hard, you will find that you atleast know someone who knows someone that could possibly help you out.

Another thing that is extremely crappy... A thing that I try and be 100% sure that I do not do, is to blow people off when they come up asking if there are any openings.
Most likely, the days you go into the pharmacy and get blown off like this, the pharmacy manager isn't there. It wasn't until I got a job as a pharmacy tech that I realized my lack of success at getting a job was because I never visited the pharmacy and talked to the "Pharmacy Manager."
The pharmacy manager most likely wont blow you off like this; he/she may even be kind enough to call around to other stores to check if they need any techs.

Are you currently taking pre pharmacy in college? If so, there will definately be atleast a few people that are pharmacy techs. Ask them about job availability where they work.

I had searched forever for a position as a pharmacy tech and happened to find one just as I started classes at school. In lab one day, a guy overheard a conversation about pharmacy, and he said very quickly, "None of yall need a job do you?"

Just a little bit of what I have figured out about the whole situation. If you continue to search without success, try those things, and I assure you that you will find someone who can help you out.

Hope I helped some,
Brock

I wished I had a pharmacy tech job just so I can get more experience in pharmacy. I'm gonna be a pharmacist someday too because of the honk load of money. but i dont really care about getting to counsel the patient too much.

did you just randomly walked up to the cheif pharmacist manager dude and ask him if you could get a job? or did you know the guy? what did you ask to him about?

i must have applyed at 3 CVS and still get no call back from unicru. DAMN UNICRU!! maybe you need connections to get hired. like asking a pharmacist to do you a favor...

What exactly do I ask the pharmacy manager and how? and how do I tell who is the pharmacy manager at CVS?

HELP!!!

 

[Z e r o X]

I have a question for you. I got a job this summer as a full-time pharmacy intern at Walgreens (I'm going to be P1 next year), what things separate pharm tech from an intern? Do they get paid differently? Is it dependent on how much stuff they do?


(BTW for the ones who are interested - Walgreens came to our school, paid us some dinner, I filled out an application, and I got a full-time internship at a store <1 mile from my house. So I guess if you are in pharmacy school, you can try to get a job at a career fair or something..)

Damn, how do you get a job as an intern? do you have to be in college?

what about if your in high school?

and does Anyone know how much interns make compared to techs?

 

[jammocah]

I got a job this summer as a full-time pharmacy intern at Walgreens (I'm going to be P1 next year),

How did you get your pharmacy intern license before even starting school? I might want to do that too as I have absolutely nothing to do this summer before I become a P1 this fall!

 

[Z e r o X]

Hi!
pharmerted,

From my own experience I would definitely say Retail(drug stores) is the easiest to get a position as a Pharmacy Technician. Tell them that you are a Pre-Pharm, need experience, etc... And when you go to those pharmacies ask for the Pharmacy Manager(he/she does hirings).

It took me almost a year to get a job at hospital, I had no previous experience as Pharm Tech, but I had Certificate Degree in Pharm Tech. Hospitals usually require atleast 6 months experience and much more.

When I started to look for job in retail, I got job just in a week.

Keep trying! and Keep applying at your surrounding pharmacies.

How the hell did you get a job within a week?

And how exactly do you ask the manager?

 

[illusions]

How did you get your pharmacy intern license before even starting school? I might want to do that too as I have absolutely nothing to do this summer before I become a P1 this fall!

I think it depends on the state. I know here you can get it 3 months before pharmacy school starts.

 

[letjin]

How did you get your pharmacy intern license before even starting school? I might want to do that too as I have absolutely nothing to do this summer before I become a P1 this fall!

Uh...actually, I'm currently a 2nd year student in a six year program (hence my 3rd year = P1), so technically I'm in a pharmacy school right now, so I can't really help you out there- sorry!

 

[ChemAngel]

I have a question for you. I got a job this summer as a full-time pharmacy intern at Walgreens (I'm going to be P1 next year), what things separate pharm tech from an intern? Do they get paid differently? Is it dependent on how much stuff they do?


(BTW for the ones who are interested - Walgreens came to our school, paid us some dinner, I filled out an application, and I got a full-time internship at a store <1 mile from my house. So I guess if you are in pharmacy school, you can try to get a job at a career fair or something..)

okay...the difference depends on the pharmacy you work for. If you came in AS an intern. You are probably going to do more intern work than a tech. But expect to being doing both works

Besides the salary increase (of about $3- $5 difference an hour), an intern can take doctors prescriptions over the phone. As you get more experience than they allow you to do more stuff (a 4th year does practically the same thing AS the pharmacist).

But as a first year, expect to be mostly feeling like a tech (but at least the pay is better)

I hope that helped

 

[2411t]

Sorry for the necrobump fellas, but I'd like to work FT this summer as an inpatient pharm tech to help me be a competitive candidate for a hospital pharm intern position this fall. Any advice on how I should approach this? I hate applying online b/c... well... I hate HR.

Not sure if this is a good approach, but I'm thinking for my cover letter, I want to express to them how I'm starting pharm school this Fall and how I want to ultimately work in a hospital setting.

I also have about 2 years of community experience at a very high pressure/volume pharmacy but am having a little trouble expressing how my community experience would translate into success in a hospital setting.

I have tons of research experience as well... but again... not sure how this'll make me a great candidate for the position.


Any ideas/advice? Thanks in advance!

 

[owlegrad]

Sorry for the necrobump fellas, but I'd like to work FT this summer as an inpatient pharm tech to help me be a competitive candidate for a hospital pharm intern position this fall. Any advice on how I should approach this? I hate applying online b/c... well... I hate HR.

Not sure if this is a good approach, but I'm thinking for my cover letter, I want to express to them how I'm starting pharm school this Fall and how I want to ultimately work in a hospital setting.

I also have about 2 years of community experience at a very high pressure/volume pharmacy but am having a little trouble expressing how my community experience would translate into success in a hospital setting.

I have tons of research experience as well... but again... not sure how this'll make me a great candidate for the position.


Any ideas/advice? Thanks in advance!

My opinion? You are over thinking it. Just apply, then followup by calling the DOP. If there is no job opening, ask if you can volunteer. If you can't volunteer, ask if you can shadow. Do whatever it takes to get in the door and show them what a great contribution to the team you will be.

In my experience, employers are always looking for great employees. Show them how eager you are to learn, how committed you are to doing a great job, what a team player you are, etc. List your previous experiences, but focus on your attitude and aptitudes. Show them how you are the best candidate for the job. Employers want people who make things happen - be proactive about it (within reason of course, its not appropriate to serenade the DOP at midnight outside his/her window). I would say above all - just make sure they know how excited you are for the opportunity to learn/be a part of the team.

 

[Pharmizzle]

Sorry for the necrobump fellas, but I'd like to work FT this summer as an inpatient pharm tech to help me be a competitive candidate for a hospital pharm intern position this fall. Any advice on how I should approach this? I hate applying online b/c... well... I hate HR.

Not sure if this is a good approach, but I'm thinking for my cover letter, I want to express to them how I'm starting pharm school this Fall and how I want to ultimately work in a hospital setting.

I also have about 2 years of community experience at a very high pressure/volume pharmacy but am having a little trouble expressing how my community experience would translate into success in a hospital setting.

I have tons of research experience as well... but again... not sure how this'll make me a great candidate for the position.


Any ideas/advice? Thanks in advance!

I transitioned from an outpatient pharmacy tech job into an inpatient job with really no inpatient experience (other than a *very* brief externship).

Make sure you emphasize the duties of an outpatient tech that will still apply to inpatient work: time management & organizational skills, ability to handle stress, good customer service (the hospital I work at really stresses that while we don't deal with the patients much, they are still our customers and, in addition, the doctors and nurses we deal with are also our "customers"), etc.

Also, as owlegrad said, be sure to emphasize in your cover letter and/or interview that you really want to learn about and experience a different side of pharmacy. I think this is what really got me the position for which I applied. During my interview, I showed genuine excitement to work in an inpatient setting and made sure to mention that no matter what you're doing in pharmacy, there's always something new to learn, and I always want to learn.

Just apply and see what happens; good employees are hard to find so if you show that you have the potential to be one, they will snatch you up.

 

[R2pharmD2]

I transitioned from an outpatient pharmacy tech job into an inpatient job with really no inpatient experience (other than a *very* brief externship).

Make sure you emphasize the duties of an outpatient tech that will still apply to inpatient work: time management & organizational skills, ability to handle stress, good customer service (the hospital I work at really stresses that while we don't deal with the patients much, they are still our customers and, in addition, the doctors and nurses we deal with are also our "customers"), etc.

Also, as owlegrad said, be sure to emphasize in your cover letter and/or interview that you really want to learn about and experience a different side of pharmacy. I think this is what really got me the position for which I applied. During my interview, I showed genuine excitement to work in an inpatient setting and made sure to mention that no matter what you're doing in pharmacy, there's always something new to learn, and I always want to learn.

Just apply and see what happens; good employees are hard to find so if you show that you have the potential to be one, they will snatch you up.

I was in almost exactly the same position, and took the exact same approach. It worked for me too, so I definitely second this. Along with what Owle mentioned as well.

 

[owlegrad]

...Also, as owlegrad said, ....

...Along with what Owle mentioned as well...

You guys are too much.

You don't have to reference my post when giving advice, I don't expect every post after mine to be compared to mine for content. 😆

 

[2411t]

I took this thread as dead. But I sent in applications already, and intuitively tailored my cover letter to what you guys were saying. I say intuitively b/c I'm awesome!

Speaking of awesome... anyone watch the Miz interview on Conan? Funnie!!!! Wait.. thsi should be in OT.

Thanks fellas!

PS - I left out the fact that I'm matriculating this Fall. Something tells me they don't want to hire someone only to have them leave... call it shady, but I don't think I need to show all my cards if they don't ask.

 

[R2pharmD2]

I took this thread as dead. But I sent in applications already, and intuitively tailored my cover letter to what you guys were saying. I say intuitively b/c I'm awesome!

Speaking of awesome... anyone watch the Miz interview on Conan? Funnie!!!! Wait.. thsi should be in OT.

Thanks fellas!

PS - I left out the fact that I'm matriculating this Fall. Something tells me they don't want to hire someone only to have them leave... call it shady, but I don't think I need to show all my cards if they don't ask.

Like Owle has mentioned many times 🙂laugh🙂, honesty is best policy. The hospital that hired me did so knowing I'd be leaving for pharmacy school this fall, even though they did hire me about 7 months ago now.

 

[owlegrad]

😆

 

[2411t]

I was about to write a rebuttle in regards to the "honesty" response, but I immediately knew I was in the wrong when I had to google the definition of honesty. hah

 

[Pharmizzle]

PS - I left out the fact that I'm matriculating this Fall. Something tells me they don't want to hire someone only to have them leave... call it shady, but I don't think I need to show all my cards if they don't ask.

I actually did mention this when I applied for my job, and they were fine with it. In fact, at my 3-month evaluation my supervisor made sure to tell me that once I was eligible for my intern license, she would bump me up from a tech to an intern and allow me to work fewer hours while pharmacy school was in session (like putting me on a weekend night shift where I'd basically be able to study the whole time). Then she told me she hopes I'll want to work there after I graduate, too, because she could use a pharmacist who already understands the system from the bottom up. 🙂

Obviously you don't have to tell anyone anything unless they ask, but sometimes being honest works out pretty well. Personally I just didn't want to risk burning any bridges; pharmacy is a relatively small "world."

 

[2411t]

something worked... I got an interview. niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice

 

[triton2010]

socal is oversaturated. ive asked pharmacy managers at retail chains and they tell me the run around of to go online or that theyre not hiring. it's almost impossible to get a job here with no experience