I'm a pharmacy tech, need pharmacist help

[Gudbrand]

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I have a few questions to any pharmacy managers. I'm a pharmacy tech, I didnt go to school or anything, i just took the ptcb test and passed, then applied for my ca state license and got it (after they screwed my name up twice) So i have no experience. Here in Ca jobs are scarce, ive applied to dozens of pharmacies and no luck. I have zero experience and one thing pharmacists always ask is, where was i interned. What can i do to appear as if ive had experience? I worked in a Rite-Aid before, but at the front counter a few years ago. How in depth are back ground checks? if I said i was a pharmacy clerk would it come back and bite me in the ass?

Can someone give me an overview of a pharmacy tech training program? I basically want to lie about having pharmacy experience so i can atleast get my foot in the door. Is this an over all bad idea?

 

[janeno]

Yes it is a bad idea!

 

[Gudbrand]

thanks! you solved every single problem i was having. how can i thank you?

 

[All4MyDaughter]

You probably won't find a lot of people on here willing to help you deceive a pharmacist... since most of us are training to be.... pharmacists.

 

[DrugRX]

Please do not lie, but tell them you are certified and willing to learn. As you probably know, not a good time for looking for a job since they are cutting hours. Try to apply for hospitals as well as independent pharmacy. As far as I know, there is no tech training program available. Each pharmacy uses different system, so you have to learn after you get hired. Getting your foot in the door is the toughest part, but once you are in, you will build a connection and move forward from there.

Again, please do not lie.

Good Luck!

 

[Requiem]

I'd respect a confident "No, I do not have any experience but I am extremely motivated and a quick learner" much more than a "ummm.... yes..... at a ride-aid... *ahem*"

I'd probably pick up by the tone of your voice that you were misconstruing and or lying about something. Which would result in an absence of hiring for you.

 

[MountainPharmD]

It will be apparent in about 5 minutes how much pharmacy experience you have. Do not lie. Be honest and look for an opportunity somewhere that is willing to train you.

I would rather hire a smart, certified tech with no experience who I can train verse an experienced tech who thinks they know everything and wants to do everything their way. With that said I would preferably like to hire an experienced tech that is flexible with a good attitude and is willing to adapt. Since that will never happen I will take what I can get.

Bottomline...Do not lie.

 

[Farmercyst]

I have a few questions to any pharmacy managers. I'm a pharmacy tech, I didnt go to school or anything, i just took the ptcb test and passed, then applied for my ca state license and got it (after they screwed my name up twice) So i have no experience. Here in Ca jobs are scarce, ive applied to dozens of pharmacies and no luck. I have zero experience and one thing pharmacists always ask is, where was i interned. What can i do to appear as if ive had experience? I worked in a Rite-Aid before, but at the front counter a few years ago. How in depth are back ground checks? if I said i was a pharmacy clerk would it come back and bite me in the ass?

Can someone give me an overview of a pharmacy tech training program? I basically want to lie about having pharmacy experience so i can atleast get my foot in the door. Is this an over all bad idea?

NorCal or SoCal. We've got a guy that just got through doing his intern hours with us at USC. You might check with a CC that offers tech classes and see if they'd let you register for their internship classes. At the one I went to it was 2 semesters, 1st semester was background info (math/pharmacology/law) followed by the experiential portion (compounding/interning) if they let you skip the 1st semester it'd probably just cost you a semseter's worth of tuition.

 

[ravingrabbid]

First off, like everyone else said: don't lie. I was in the exact same position as you, passed the PTCB, got the CA license and zero experience (even in retail). Basically, since I needed the experience really badly, I took a pharmacy cashier job and worked my way up from there.
My advice would be, see if you can take a cashier (or typist) position first, get the retail pharmacy experience you need, then see if you can talk to the tech coordinator or whoever (pharmacy manager?) and get the promotion to tech. It also really helps if you're a quick learner. The other alternative is like Farmercyst said: see if you can take the tech externship class at a local CC.

 

[solzont]

Not to beat a dead horse, but please don't dishonor yourself by lying, I can't stress this enough.

I was in the same situation as you, although in a different state a year and a half ago. First, I was always completely honest. I logged some 300 volunteer hours to prove my worth at three pharmacies as a nascent technician and was later offered jobs at 2 of the 3 pharmacies. One hospital and one community pharmacy. This is what I like to call the "old school" way of proving yourself and getting hired. I always have the attitude, "Here's what I can do for you...," not the other way around. There's no risk on the part of the employer and they get free labor in return for minimally training you and eventually considering you for a position. I worked harder/smarter than any tech at either place, took the initiative, had a positive attitude, never complained, was always early, and put the patient first.

Someone else in this forum said it best, "There's never a surplus of talented, motivated people."
Be that person and you'll find a job; best of luck!

 

[johnep34]

Excellent advice. Offer to work for a week/month on approval. I got in by working Saturdays while still at school. A little experience and a willingness to work some of the unsocial hours shows your committment.
johnep