How to gain experience?

[onafarm]

I'm a first year undergraduate who has no experience in pharmacy. This looks really bad when I apply to pharmacy school. Most of the time I'm idle, so getting a job as a pharmacy technician would be nice. Can someone greatly walk me through the process of getting a job? I live in Georgia if that helps.

What I do know:
1. I have to get licensed (which is basically an online application with a $100 fee) and it takes roughly a month.
2. After licensed, I can start applying.

Any other information would be fantastic!

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[BC_89]

Literally what you stated is how to do it. If you wish to top it off, go to your school / city public library and study their latest PTCB studyguide booklets (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board exam). This is different than state certification which gets your fingerprint and a background check.

Passing your PTCB exam means your nationally certified as a tech that equates to higher wages and meets minimal requirements should you choose outpatient work in a hospital.

Side-note: Majority of Pharmacy students never set foot in a pharmacy (I never include shadowing...different experience when you have to work as a tech). Some that do work as a tech turn away from the career.

 

[DagS132]

Really, thats how you get licensed? Its a little different here in Florida where you have to take a class for a couple of months.
But technically you can start working in the pharmacy as a cashier right now if there are openings.

 

[ornithoptor]

Another pathway is for you to go to local hospital and engage their pharmacy director. Ask for a job or volunteer if there is no current openings.
This way, you will be in position to move up and impress pharmacy school on application.

The down side: loss wage.

 

[Nick5]

Another pathway is for you to go to local hospital and engage their pharmacy director. Ask for a job or volunteer if there is no current openings.
This way, you will be in position to move up and impress pharmacy school on application.

The down side: loss wage.

That’s what I did, I went to my local Hospital and started to volunteer in the pharmacy department, after 3 months they hired me, also with that experience I got accepted to my number one Pharmacy school!