In my situation, what would you do?

[nims]

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Currently, I am a soph in college looking to go to pharmacy school. My fear about getting accepted is my lack of experience. Every pharmacy that I have been to has told me that I can't shadow or volunteer because of HIPPA. Therefore, I was wondering if it would be worth it to take a pharm tech class over the summer at a vo-tech (2 month program). I doubt I would be able to get a job as a tech because I would only be able to work part-time, but the class summary explains that there are 16 shadowing opportunities as part of the class. Is it worth it to take the class just for those shadowing chances and the fact I could put on my app that I am a certified pharm tech? or would I be better off using my time to study for the pcat? BTW, I have worked at a pediatrician's office for the past 4 years so I have experience working in the health field. Also, I'm not concerned with the price of the class.

thanks for the help!

 

[TDR]

Currently, I am a soph in college looking to go to pharmacy school. My fear about getting accepted is my lack of experience. Every pharmacy that I have been to has told me that I can't shadow or volunteer because of HIPPA. Therefore, I was wondering if it would be worth it to take a pharm tech class over the summer at a vo-tech (2 month program). I doubt I would be able to get a job as a tech because I would only be able to work part-time, but the class summary explains that there are 16 shadowing opportunities as part of the class. Is it worth it to take the class just for those shadowing chances and the fact I could put on my app that I am a certified pharm tech? or would I be better off using my time to study for the pcat? BTW, I have worked at a pediatrician's office for the past 4 years so I have experience working in the health field. Also, I'm not concerned with the price of the class.

thanks for the help!

I ran into the same problem. I got in touch with the pharmacy director at a local hospital and explained my situation. She let me shadow in the ICU and in the outpatient pharmacy and basically anywhere else I wanted. I just had to sign a form of confidentiality. I wouldn't put of anything to take the tech class if I were you.

 

[tomrocks]

sometimes you can do other things other than work at a pharmacy. i had no pharmacy experience whatsoever and i got into school. volunteer, get involved with campus activities, etc. do interesting things and when you get involved with something, really commit to it.

tom

 

[lgooden]

I also know a lot of people who got accepted with no experience. In all of my interviews it was not even discussed or if so very breifly. Basically just "have youu ever worked in a pharmacy?" Okay check and on to the next question..... At most places if everything else on you app is good I don't think lack of experience would be enough to keep you from being accepted. I personally think it is mportant just to make sure that you know it is what you really want to do.

 

[RUN DMV]

Ever tried kissing up to a professor and showing interest in their research? I was accepted without pharmacy experience but I had other experiences that I believe made me stand out from the other applicants. For example, I do undergraduate research for my chemistry professor in enviornmetal chemistry. Although it's not pharmacy, I believe my research experience is just as good considering 1) I have to have a high GPA to do research (mine's 3.79) especially as an undergrad, 2) I showed interest and initiative to have the opportunity and 3) I am learning other skills that can be applied to pharmacy. While it's nice to have people who are compassionate and can work with people, the field of pharmacy is so broad that one can have other skills and work in different fields.

I don't know how much pharmacy experience means, but I think it's kind of overrated. I think almost anyone can get a pharm tech job but it's more difficult to get research experience. So I say, make yourself stand out from every other high GPA, pharm tech applicant out there.

 

[nims]

Thanks for all of the responses. I'm leaning towards taking the class because it just seems like an interesting class to take for the summer. My only concern with taking the class is that it will take away from some of my study time for the pcat, but I figure the amount of experience (job shadowing) I will get from the class will benefit me in the end.

I really just want to get around a pharmacy to make for sure this field is what I want to do, and this seems to be one of the only ways to do that around this area.

Thanks for the help!

 

[GaPharmGirl09]

I was told by two schools that the reason they want to see pharmacy experience is to show you have checked into the field you are investing 6+ years. They told me that if you had no experience, how did you know what you were getting into. 😀

 

[nims]

I was told by two schools that the reason they want to see pharmacy experience is to show you have checked into the field you are investing 6+ years. They told me that if you had no experience, how did you know what you were getting into. 😀

That's my reasoning behind this idea.

 

[prlester]

i was thinking of switching from med to pharm. what are the requirments for that? what are your thoughts? I really didn't like the lifestyle of medicine.

 

[H20Suga]

Honestly you don't even need to go through a class to be a certified tech. Just go to PTCB.org and register to take the exam (I suggest noah reifman's book as a study tool, forget the drugs just know the math and you should be fine)...if you pass it, you'll have a pharmacy tech license. In the meantime, while waiting to take the exam why don't you apply to become a pharmacy clerk? They're always looking for clerks and put in at least 6 months part-time and you should be fine.

 

[kayjay]

Thanks for all of the responses. I'm leaning towards taking the class because it just seems like an interesting class to take for the summer. My only concern with taking the class is that it will take away from some of my study time for the pcat, but I figure the amount of experience (job shadowing) I will get from the class will benefit me in the end.

I really just want to get around a pharmacy to make for sure this field is what I want to do, and this seems to be one of the only ways to do that around this area.

Thanks for the help!

You don't necessarily need to be "certified" to work as a pharm tech; depending on what state you live in, you only need be licensed..no need to take any class/exam, just go online and apply for one.

Nonetheless, if you do decide to take the class, don't worry about not having enough time to study for the PCAT. Just as long as you know how to manage your time, and dedicate about 2 hours everyday to studying, you should be fine. I was taking O.Chem I and II over the summer/studying for the PCAT/working, plus taking classes full-time/working during the fall..it's a pain, but it's doable and it will pay off.