Help! Pharmacy Tech interview, very nervous!

[easykill2517]

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So I have a interview for a pharmacy tech position at a local compounding lab. They've made the interview two parts: the sit down formal interview, and then in the lab to see what I can do.

My degree is in Chemistry, so I'm bit nervous about the in lab part. Any suggestions on things I should study? I was watching some youtube videos on capsule filling machines and whatnot, but I really have no idea what to expect. I really need this job, so I want to crush this interview. So what should I study?

 

[Notecard]

I only shadow/volunteer in a compounding pharmacy once a week so I can't say much.

But I would study calculations of what goes into capsules and not just how to make them. Know how to make 1 grain, 2 grain batches ect. Make sure you know how to mix the different powders (mix thirds at a time for 2 minutes each), stuff like that. Good luck👍

 

[owlegrad]

I only shadow/volunteer in a compounding pharmacy once a week so I can't say much.

But I would study calculations of what goes into capsules and not just how to make them. Know how to make 1 grain, 2 grain batches ect. Make sure you know how to mix the different powders (mix thirds at a time for 2 minutes each), stuff like that. Good luck👍

I have never worked in a compounding pharmacy, but I do recall "geometric dilution" being taugh in dosage forms - is that not what is practised IRL? I would hate to think that not everything I learn in pharmacy school is 100% true...

 

[Gamechanger]

Basic interviewing concepts:

1. Be confident
2. Be the guy that people WANT to work with (this goes a LOOOONG way).

Good luck!

 

[easykill2517]

Thanks guys, I'll look into it

 

[Notecard]

I have never worked in a compounding pharmacy, but I do recall "geometric dilution" being taugh in dosage forms - is that not what is practised IRL? I would hate to think that not everything I learn in pharmacy school is 100% true...

No that is right technically. I asked the pharmacist the same question when he taught me how to make capsules but he told me it was unnecessary. He told me that they have had their products tested multiple times by state boards and they passed every time doing it that way.

You bring up a good point though. Not every pharmacist will be like that. For OP, here's the vid I learned the concept from when I was looking into compounding.
http://pharmlabs.unc.edu/video2.php?legacy/2001_geodilute.flv

 

[owlegrad]

No that is right technically. I asked the pharmacist the same question when he taught me how to make capsules but he told me it was unnecessary. He told me that they have had their products tested multiple times by state boards and they passed every time doing it that way.

You bring up a good point though. Not every pharmacist will be like that. For OP, here's the vid I learned the concept from when I was looking into compounding.
http://pharmlabs.unc.edu/video2.php?legacy/2001_geodilute.flv

😆

Thanks for the clarification.

 

[sdcaligurl]

I am a compounding pharmacy technician and all I would say is, just be confident. They should not expect you to just be able to walk in the door and start compounding according to their protocols. Our training for our techs lasts for like 2 weeks, there is just so much to learn.

Also, when we were interviewing to hire a new pharmacist, we chose the one who was confident and outgoing over the one who was top of his class at a more prestigious school.

 

[whatbout2morrow]

Be sure to ASK if you don't understand the instructions on how to do something. I suppose they'd prefer to see someone who is confident to ask as opposed to someone who takes a chance, messes up, and causes a great deal of wastage in the process.

 

[kmapes]

As someone who has worked in compounding, I have to agree with much of what has already been said. You need to be confident in your abilities, even if you don't know much about compounding. Make sure you show you are willing to do anything they ask of you (at least when it comes to the making of medications). I know some people who did not get hired where I work because they insisted that they were only willing to make capsules (ha, no one wants to work suspensions with me 😛). Even if you don't understand something, it's okay....those things can be taught. What can't be taught is a good attitude and a willingness to work with people.

Just my two cents.