Looking at becoming a Pharmacy Tech

[Vitacura]

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Hello everyone,

I am in my mid twenties and looking to change careers from law enforcement to a position in pharmacy. (recently got married, and wife really doesn't like the dangers of my job. I love her to death and will gladly switch careers. Funny thing is being a pharmacist was my second choice behind Police Officer when I was in college.)
I am located in Tampa Bay, Florida and was looking at self studying for the pharmacy tech exam (since the hospital I want to work for only hires certified applicants). My wife works for a hospital as an LPN and actually will be an RN by the end of the year, so I may have a foot in the door with hookups to work in the hospital as a pharmacy tech. I also will apply to local walgreens, cvs and other pharmacies in the area. But I do hope to be in a hospital as the pay cut I will be taking from being a LEO to a pharmacy tech is huge.
I am looking at starting off with being a tech to get a feel for the field, and if I do enjoy it, I will go ahead and pursue a degree and position as a pharmacist or similar.
I have read numerous threads on here and it seems that getting a position is difficult and low paying.
Would love to hear ideas, suggestions or thoughts!
Thanks! 🙂

 

[FLIGHT]

The exam is not that hard...the California one...

I study for one night and took it and pass.

You are on the right tract with getting your degree but you start out you are at a low pay no matter what...

the reason for the low pay is that they want tech who work for more than a year. Once you get your experience with in the year then leave the company...

Try to get into a store with a good store manager. This makes all the difference…Also try to get into a store with less people… The more people the less they are willing to train you. So good luck
..

 

[RxWildcat]

I wouldn't say that getting a tech job is difficult, however the summer time is the worst time to job hunt because most interns are out of school and working more hours than they normally do. And yes, the pay is generally low, most likely around $10 give or take a few bucks. Have you taken many science courses yet? You need to be certain pharmacy is what you want to do before you begin a drastic change like this, but you sound like you're on track with getting the tech job and getting a "feel" for the job.

 

[amartins02]

Try to do it part time for now just to make sure you actually like it. Then if you do look at working for a VA hospital. They pay techs well and have performance bonuses also. Plus, it's government related which you're probably used to anyways.

 

[FastLane051]

Try to do it part time for now just to make sure you actually like it. Then if you do look at working for a VA hospital. They pay techs well and have performance bonuses also. Plus, it's government related which you're probably used to anyways.

Yeah, I second that. I have been working as a VA pharmacy tech for 2 weeks now and its been pretty good. Retail techs won't get as much as VA techs. You will start at a federal level of GS-6 which will get you paid anywhere from 15-20$ an hour with the VA if you get certified, or at least at my hospital. Then you can move up levels as you work longer. Also, you might want to look into APhA or another pharmacy tech association, because they help with carrier developement. I know theres a Nation Pharmacy Tech one that was recommended to me for carrier developement, but I want to become a pharmacist so I didnt look into it much.
I love my job at the hospital so I'm sure you won't have a problem being as bored compared to other jobs.
Good Luck with your new carrier!

 

[cutietiger5]

Yeah, I second that. I have been working as a VA pharmacy tech for 2 weeks now and its been pretty good. Retail techs won't get as much as VA techs. You will start at a federal level of GS-6 which will get you paid anywhere from 15-20$ an hour with the VA if you get certified, or at least at my hospital. Then you can move up levels as you work longer. Also, you might want to look into APhA or another pharmacy tech association, because they help with carrier developement. I know theres a Nation Pharmacy Tech one that was recommended to me for carrier developement, but I want to become a pharmacist so I didnt look into it much.
I love my job at the hospital so I'm sure you won't have a problem being as bored compared to other jobs.
Good Luck with your new carrier!

sorry for sounding ignorant...but what does VA hospital mean??? btw I wanted to get a pharm tech job at this summer and will work during school year, what can I do?? I haven't gotten my license yet until august...so do I just call them up and ask them if the job is available???

 

[PrepharmKID]

Veterans affairs. Hospital designed for veterans. Read some info in newspapers about them so if you try applying there you actually know some info about their hospital.

 

[Mandy46]

You said you studied for one night. Was that with prior training or without? What did you study with? I am interested in taking the exam by self-studying the material, so any information would help. Thanks.

 

[cutietiger5]

Yeah, I second that. I have been working as a VA pharmacy tech for 2 weeks now and its been pretty good. Retail techs won't get as much as VA techs. You will start at a federal level of GS-6 which will get you paid anywhere from 15-20$ an hour with the VA if you get certified, or at least at my hospital. Then you can move up levels as you work longer. Also, you might want to look into APhA or another pharmacy tech association, because they help with carrier developement. I know theres a Nation Pharmacy Tech one that was recommended to me for carrier developement, but I want to become a pharmacist so I didnt look into it much.
I love my job at the hospital so I'm sure you won't have a problem being as bored compared to other jobs.
Good Luck with your new carrier!

Do you know if VA hire unlicensed pharmacy tech...I will be taking the test, and hopefully pass in August...and would like to have the job during the summer and for few years...do you think they will accept me??? thanks

 

[Vitacura]

Thanks for the info/advice everyone! I plan on taking the exam in August, so time to find a couple good study books. If I do enjoy it as I did in high school, then I plan on returning to college.
I have an A.S. degree in Criminal Justice, but would spend the next year taking science/math courses to get an A.A. with a (I hope) high GPA (since only those math/science classes are figured for acceptance into Pharmacy School I believe). Once I get my A.A. end of next year at SPC I will apply to the UF School of Pharmacy in St. Pete.

 

[atomi]

I wouldn't say that getting a tech job is difficult, however the summer time is the worst time to job hunt because most interns are out of school and working more hours than they normally do. And yes, the pay is generally low, most likely around $10 give or take a few bucks. Have you taken many science courses yet? You need to be certain pharmacy is what you want to do before you begin a drastic change like this, but you sound like you're on track with getting the tech job and getting a "feel" for the job.

It's $6.50/hr here. $8/hr if you have certification (which you have to pay for yourself).

 

[imperialto]

It's $6.50/hr here. $8/hr if you have certification (which you have to pay for yourself).

wow, where is this? I do think that location/cost of living area also has a lot to do with it as well. Dallas, TX area think they start at $9-$11. I'm makin over $15 at target, but have been there for 4 yrs.

You can always do volunteer at the hospital and work in the pharmacy area and get a feel so you don't have to waste time and money studying if you don't end up liking it

 

[PharmApp2008]

My husband is going to be a police officer and it worries me also, but it is his dream and I will be supportive of it. If this is truly what you want then go for it, just make sure you won't regret it. It is kind of amusing on my end because I can't imagine my husband taking an interest in my science classes, and I see that some people do like both even though they are completely different fields.

 

[PrepharmKID]

Thanks for the info/advice everyone! I plan on taking the exam in August, so time to find a couple good study books. If I do enjoy it as I did in high school, then I plan on returning to college.
I have an A.S. degree in Criminal Justice, but would spend the next year taking science/math courses to get an A.A. with a (I hope) high GPA (since only those math/science classes are figured for acceptance into Pharmacy School I believe). Once I get my A.A. end of next year at SPC I will apply to the UF School of Pharmacy in St. Pete.

Nope, Pharmcas calculates all of your courses for your cGPA. If they only looked at pre-req courses, I'd have a 3.85. Boy would that kick ***.

Also, I believe they take the grades of repeat courses too. So if you got a D first time around then retook and got an A, I believe it takes both. Kinda evens it out to a 2.5

 

[Vitacura]

Nope, Pharmcas calculates all of your courses for your cGPA. If they only looked at pre-req courses, I'd have a 3.85. Boy would that kick ***.

Also, I believe they take the grades of repeat courses too. So if you got a D first time around then retook and got an A, I believe it takes both. Kinda evens it out to a 2.5

Interesting.. I may need to raise it some to be competetive if that is the case. I got this straight out of the UF admissions website:
"

Pre-professional Science/Math GPA​

—This is determined by calculating the GPA for only the pre-professional courses listed on reverse side and is not the same as your cumulative GPA or an overall math/science GPA. The average pre-professional science/math GPA for the admitted fall 2007 class was a 3.53; the range was approximately 3.3 to 4.0. Although the minimum required pre-professional science/math GPA to apply is 2.5, that GPA is not competitive if the applicant pool is large as in recent years. The University of Florida does not allow grade forgiveness, which means that grades for multiple attempts for the same course number will be averaged together for that course. Dropped courses are indicated as a “W” and are not factored into the GPA since a grade was not earned. We do accept AP/IB credits for pre-professional courses, but there is no grade value assigned for those courses, so they cannot be factored into the pre-professional GPA."

I guess that is where I got confused.​