High School Student

[HSenior]

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I'm a high school student in Maryland. I've been reading around the forums a lot and it seems that high school students can find jobs in Pharmacies, so that's good news.

My situation is:

I would like to be a Pharmacist, but ofcourse they need to be knowledgable in Chemistry, Biology, etc. I'm sure you all remember how high school was like. Basically, I don't learn anything. I took biology, but again I didn't learn too much. Perhaps it's my own fault, but it is what it is.

When I graduate, I plan on taking a Pharmacy technician training course at a local community college. After that, hopefully I will begin working on my prerequisites for Pharmacy School while working as a Pharmacy Tech to gain exprience.

What I would like to know is, before taking the Pharmacy Tech training program, do I need to have a lot of knowledge about Chemistry, Biology? I'm pretty ok in Math, so no worries there.

I figured that I would focus much more while taking bio and chemistry courses in college so I can be well versed in those subjects, which would help me later on in Pharmacy school.

So yea, that's it. Answers/advice would be much appreciated! 🙂

 

[inquirer89]

Don't worry about it, I don't remember much of chem and biology from high school either. They will teach you everything you need to know in your General Chem and Bio classes in college. Just expect it to be a little more fast paced than high school. Good luck!

 

[HSenior]

Thanks for the answer. So would you advise me to go ahead and take the gener chemistry and bio classes first or the pharmacy technician program? Would I need a solid background in chemistry and biology for Pharmacy Tech training?

 

[PharmD321]

Thanks for the answer. So would you advise me to go ahead and take the gener chemistry and bio classes first or the pharmacy technician program? Would I need a solid background in chemistry and biology for Pharmacy Tech training?

The pharmacy technician program in a community college is going to cost more money than a public university that you are most likely going to go. You have a lot of options you can do like in my experience, I graduated early (december of 07') and went to brazil to study but then I came back on April to pursue a career in the medical field. I found a private school that prepares for the PTCE (Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam) and the school was not that expensive (800 bucks! It was a 12 week course) and I passed the exam first try a month ago. In order to pass the exam, you need to have a high school diploma (you can go to the pharmacy technician school during high school and set up the testing after you graduate) and the time to study the materials....

So, If I were you, just make the university your first priority and if you have time (like during the summer), look for somewhere cheaper to attend a pharm tech school or you can study by yourself (I think it would be more challenging to learn the new materials by yourself, but it is your choice...).

Also, if you want more information on what is going to be on the test, I have a blog about my test experience, but that doesn't mean that your test experience is going to be the same as mine...

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/blog.php?b=1332

 

[HSenior]

Thanks for th einformative reply. 🙂

I was planning on working on my prerequisites for Pharmacy school as soon as I graduated. However, I decided that I would like to get my Pharmacy Tech certification first so that I can get some experience in the field and get to know some Pharmacists for letters of recommendation for the future.

Let me just make sure I understand correctly: You're suggesting that I take Pharmacy tech course at a public university? I was thinking I would go to community college for pharmacy tech course (summer after i graduate) and to get my prerequisites. At the rate I'm planning on going, I would finish my prerequisites for University of MD Pharmacy School in about 3 years. So I dont really see a purpose in attending a traditional 4 year university.

Yes, I read your blog a few days ago. Very informative, thanks. 🙂

 

[PharmD321]

Thanks for th einformative reply. 🙂

I was planning on working on my prerequisites for Pharmacy school as soon as I graduated. However, I decided that I would like to get my Pharmacy Tech certification first so that I can get some experience in the field and get to know some Pharmacists for letters of recommendation for the future.

Let me just make sure I understand correctly: You're suggesting that I take Pharmacy tech course at a public university? I was thinking I would go to community college for pharmacy tech course (summer after i graduate) and to get my prerequisites. At the rate I'm planning on going, I would finish my prerequisites for University of MD Pharmacy School in about 3 years. So I dont really see a purpose in attending a traditional 4 year university.

Yes, I read your blog a few days ago. Very informative, thanks. 🙂

Lol, thank you! 😀

but ya what I meant is that when you go into pre-pharmacy (3 year) program in a university is going to be cheaper than going to a community college for pharmacy tech. The time spent in the community college might be wasted (I heard that the tuition is very expensive like $5,000 and up) so I am sorry if I confused you with 2 totally different things.

Anyways, When I was shopping for pharmacy technician preparation schools, I looked at arapahoe community college which is a 23 month program and it was $4800!

my tuition for first semester at University of Colorado at Denver for pre pharmacy (3 year) is $2900 which is wayyyy cheaper!!

So I just went ahead and got in a private school to prepare me the pharmacy technician certification exam. I went to the heath education resourses of denver. here is the website if you want to see what they look like: www.herdenver.com. They uses classrooms in my university but they are not with my university. I did the 12 weeks program which cost me $800 including the books and supplies! I forgot to tell you that there is an exam fee ($129) so, I paid about $929. I am much happy now that I was taught by a licensed pharmacist and that I passed the PTCE first try.

By the way, some people think that I am trying to make you go to a pharmacy technician preparation school, but I am only recommending you to do the easy way which is to go to school and learn the material from a licensed pharmacist teacher. So, it is your choice if you want to go to school or study by yourself.

"I was thinking I would go to community college for pharmacy tech course (summer after i graduate) and to get my prerequisites. At the rate I'm planning on going, I would finish my prerequisites for University of MD Pharmacy School in about 3 years. So I dont really see a purpose in attending a traditional 4 year university."

On a different topic that I need to tell you that my school is not only a traditional 4 year university, they have a 7 year doctor of pharmacy program that I am doing it now. It is a 3 year pre pharm (pre reqs) and then 4 years at pharmacy school. My advisor even told me it is much easier to get in the pharmacy school with a 3 year pre pharm program in a university then getting in with a bachelor of science degree. But, of course, you will need to maintain a strong science gpa (around 3.5 cummulative) and regular gpa can be average (3.0 and higher).

All in all, Good luck in your search for the pharmacy tech courses!

 

[HSenior]

Well my county's community college tuition isn't that much, especially for in-county students. Not to mention that since my family has a pretty low income Im sure I'll be qualified for some financial aid. So Im not to worried about the money. The community college Im planning on attending has a Pharmacy technician training program which is a 3-4 month program and also a Pre-Pharmacy program.

Im definately not willing to study on my own for PTCE, I'm gonna get some type of training to help me prepare.

Question: when you took your Pharmacy Tech training at the private school you went to, what was it like? Did you really use much of the information you learned in high school or did you re-learn subjects such as bioogy, chemistry, math, etc?

My plan is to go straight into Pharmacy tech training program after I graduate. Or maybe even earlier in the beginning of 2009. Will I need a strong background in bio/chem to be successful?

Thanks for the wishes! 🙂

 

[PharmD321]

Well my county's community college tuition isn't that much, especially for in-county students. Not to mention that since my family has a pretty low income Im sure I'll be qualified for some financial aid. So Im not to worried about the money. The community college Im planning on attending has a Pharmacy technician training program which is a 3-4 month program and also a Pre-Pharmacy program.

Im definately not willing to study on my own for PTCE, I'm gonna get some type of training to help me prepare.

Question: when you took your Pharmacy Tech training at the private school you went to, what was it like? Did you really use much of the information you learned in high school or did you re-learn subjects such as bioogy, chemistry, math, etc?

My plan is to go straight into Pharmacy tech training program after I graduate. Or maybe even earlier in the beginning of 2009. Will I need a strong background in bio/chem to be successful?

Thanks for the wishes! 🙂

The school I went was extremely easy to understand and was like a review for me (no hard subjects like chemistry equations or remember all the difficult names in biology, it is focused on conversions of kg, g and so on and learning how to remember the drug names) and it was a great thing to do before I went to college. Since the classrooms are in my university, It also made me feel more comfortible and now I know everything about what is on my campus and its surronding areas. It was a wonderful experience.

You will be fine.👍

 

[kismet]

Question: when you took your Pharmacy Tech training at the private school you went to, what was it like? Did you really use much of the information you learned in high school or did you re-learn subjects such as bioogy, chemistry, math, etc?

My plan is to go straight into Pharmacy tech training program after I graduate. Or maybe even earlier in the beginning of 2009. Will I need a strong background in bio/chem to be successful?

You don't need a background in anything. If you can do eighth grade math you'll be fine! They will teach you everything you need to know.. the most basic overview of the drug classes and a lot of generic/brand memorization. The bio/chem stuff will come once you start working on your pre-req's for Pharm school.

I went to a Regional Occupational Program for my tech training, 6 months, about $500 including books and registration with DOJ and State Board. It's like an adult vocational school? I highly recommend it; check with your local Office of Education to see if it's offered. If not, community college will still be easy and cheap; it depends on the program but probably takes about a year to get through.

Don't worry, it's easy.

 

[Chellyxoxo1986]

If I were in your shoes, I would apply to a 6 year pharmacy program. You would do 2 years pre-pharm and go directly into the professional 4 year study.

 

[deleted205891]

Why do you want to be a certified tech if you're going to pharmacy school?

When you're a professional pharmacy student (after prereqs), you're getting intern pay anyway. Do you have to be certified to be a tech in your state? In many states (including DE,PA, not sure about MD) you don't.

Going to a 6-year program is good, but most don't really have a social life since either they're at a small school or the pharmacy school is kinda separate from the rest of the college.

 

[PharmD321]

Why do you want to be a certified tech if you're going to pharmacy school?

When you're a professional pharmacy student (after prereqs), you're getting intern pay anyway. Do you have to be certified to be a tech in your state? In many states (including DE,PA, not sure about MD) you don't.

Going to a 6-year program is good, but most don't really have a social life since either they're at a small school or the pharmacy school is kinda separate from the rest of the college.

I know you know this: being certified will increase the chances in getting in a pharmacy school.

and...

How else would you get experience in the pharmacy setting before going to a pharmacy school?

I do agree about getting in the 6 year program but I havent seen that many universities that do this program.

 

[kismet]

I know you know this: being certified will increase the chances in getting in a pharmacy school.

and...

How else would you get experience in the pharmacy setting before going to a pharmacy school?

I do agree about getting in the 6 year program but I havent seen that many universities that do this program.

I don't know about being certified helping you get into pharm school. I don't think even being a non-certified technician (as I am) helps you get into pharm school. Yeah, it feels like half the other kids out there are licensed and certified but I swear every time I go on a campus tour somewhere the pharmacy students are always telling me how they had no work experience in a pharmacy before they started pharm school..

There are other ways to get experience; shadowing, interning, working as a clerk.. My university set up internships every quarter at retail and hospital settings so kids could get some experience.

 

[PharmD321]

I don't know about being certified helping you get into pharm school. I don't think even being a non-certified technician (as I am) helps you get into pharm school. Yeah, it feels like half the other kids out there are licensed and certified but I swear every time I go on a campus tour somewhere the pharmacy students are always telling me how they had no work experience in a pharmacy before they started pharm school..

There are other ways to get experience; shadowing, interning, working as a clerk.. My university set up internships every quarter at retail and hospital settings so kids could get some experience.

Let me explain you what I am trying to say...

Okay imagine if you were in my situation:

I am already certified.
I went to a private school to get certified.

When the pharmacy school ask me an interview question like, "did you have any experiences in the pharmacy setting?"

I would say yes and that I went to school to study for the PTCB and passed the certification test first try. then I worked as a certified tech which is a higher position than the clerk or anything else except the pharmacy intern but that kind of intern is only for the students in pharmacy school.

There are other kinds of internships which are good too but that is your choice.

So wouldn't it look good in your application to pharmacy school if you had pharmacy technician classroom (vocational) experience and already certified tech and had a previous job in the pharmacy field?

 

[kismet]

So wouldn't it look good in your application to pharmacy school if you had pharmacy technician classroom (vocational) experience and already certified tech and had a previous job in the pharmacy field?

Sure, it looks good; so does volunteering to feed the homeless or working at a student-run medical clinic for low-income people - neither necessarily give you "pharmacy" experience but they are still great ways to get experience interacting with people or being in the healthcare environment.

If they ask what pharmacy experience you have and you have none.. it's not going to keep you from getting in. If you're prepared for the interview you can still talk about other volunteering or shadowing you've done and what you learned from it. What you got out of your experience and how you communicate that is going to be more important than anything else.

I've been a technician for three years; started as a clerk, did a training program in a classroom, got my license, and now I work in a small hospital where I get to do everything you can imagine. I've got tons of experience - I still didn't get in last year. 🙂 It's a PART of your application, that's it.

Anyway, Bacillus1 asked - why get certified? In many states, certification is not required, you only need to be licensed. So if OP has to pick between 3-4 month CC course that ends in a license and 3 month private course that ends in certification/license, I think it will come down to personal preference. Do you want the certification? Either way, you're getting the same job. Personally I'd research both and see if either one offers an externship and go with that one (easier to get a job if you have some experience), but it's what you want to get out of it.

 

[HSenior]

^Don't wanna sound stupid, but umm...what's an "ex"ternship?

As far as the course Im planning on taking is concerened, it doesn't end in certificate, but it does help me prepare for the certification exam. Also it includes actual clinical practicum with CVS Pharmacy. So that will help me get some experience before I go on a job hunt. I'm just looking for something that'll help me make some money and gain experience at the same time. If being certified helps me to reach that goal, then why not? Plus, aren't certified techs paid more?

 

[kismet]

^Don't wanna sound stupid, but umm...what's an "ex"ternship?

As far as the course Im planning on taking is concerened, it doesn't end in certificate, but it does help me prepare for the certification exam. Also it includes actual clinical practicum with CVS Pharmacy. So that will help me get some experience before I go on a job hunt. I'm just looking for something that'll help me make some money and gain experience at the same time. If being certified helps me to reach that goal, then why not? Plus, aren't certified techs paid more?

I've seen tech schools use the terms externship and internship interchangeably. Sounds like your clinical practicum is the same thing.

Your course should end with submitting for licensure to the state board if your state requires a license and does not require certification.

In my area, certified techs make between $0.00-0.40 more than an uncertified tech. It varies by company, and some companies offer nothing.

 

[deleted205891]

Was just saying that you could be a non-certified tech. That still gets you pharmacy experience without having to go to school for a certification. Getting certified is only worth it IMO if you either live in a state where you have to get certified (I think such states exist?) or you plan on being a tech as a career.

 

[PharmD321]

I've seen tech schools use the terms externship and internship interchangeably. Sounds like your clinical practicum is the same thing.

Your course should end with submitting for licensure to the state board if your state requires a license and does not require certification.

In my area, certified techs make between $0.00-0.40 more than an uncertified tech. It varies by company, and some companies offer nothing.

Which state are you from? In colorado, they are really open like safeway and target are around 7 bucks not certified and shoots up to 10 bucks after being certified and then I heard that kaiser permanente offer 15 dollars an hour and they only hire people after certification.

Was just saying that you could be a non-certified tech. That still gets you pharmacy experience without having to go to school for a certification. Getting certified is only worth it IMO if you either live in a state where you have to get certified (I think such states exist?) or you plan on being a tech as a career.

Colorado does not require anything now and I believe that the government might require licensure in this state in the near future because the pharmacies are expanding. I do agree with you that you don't need to be certified and hell I had a job offer during the summer without certification but the pharmacist wanted me for full time though. Can't do full time during school. If I fail school though, I always will have a backup plan.😀

 

[kismet]

Which state are you from? In colorado, they are really open like safeway and target are around 7 bucks not certified and shoots up to 10 bucks after being certified and then I heard that kaiser permanente offer 15 dollars an hour and they only hire people after certification.

I'm in California, Sacramento/Bay Area; license is required but certification is optional. My boss doesn't want to pay for me to take the test and he won't give me any extra money if I do, so no point for me..

As a retail clerk I started at $8.50, not a lot but more than I was making at my old job.. Techs around here start $12ish retail, $15ish for Kaiser (certification not required, but since they are union you have to start off per diem unless you know somebody).. I started $18 at a non-Kaiser hospital. If places do offer a certification bonus I've only heard of about 10-25 cents.