pharm tech externships

[sbomb]

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Hi,

I've read many posts about the process of becoming a pharm tech. Some people have said that they've just self-studied and passed the certification exam and then they went to look for a job. However, I've talked to a few pharm techs and they said you have to either take either sit-in classes or online classes, both of which hook you up with an externship which lead directly into the job...but they cost around 20K and ~1K costwise respectively. Can any pharm techs out there share some of their wisdom? Thanks.

 

[babietuan323]

$20,000 for a class and $1,000 for an online class?

thats way too much

 

[lozthegreat]

Im an extern in a hospital. I paid nothing, and never attended any class. Also, they certify me through working there, so I didnt have to pay anything. I have never heard of what you are speaking of.

 

[cccat]

I paid only $5000 but they did not refer me the pharm tech job
Since most community had interconnection with pharm tech schoo.
it was so hard to get a job.

go for little higher tuition where they direct you the job.

I've read many posts about the process of becoming a pharm tech. Some people have said that they've just self-studied and passed the certification exam and then they went to look for a job. However, I've talked to a few pharm techs and they said you have to either take either sit-in classes or online classes, both of which hook you up with an externship which lead directly into the job...but they cost around 20K and ~1K costwise respectively. Can any pharm techs out there share some of their wisdom? Thanks.[/QUOTE]

 

[sbomb]

Did you need any qualifications for your externship? Or I guess what I really want to know is how you got the externship. Thanks.

 

[lozthegreat]

The qualifications for the externship (according to the job description):

-An accepted 1st year @ professional program.
-Must pass math test
-must pass generic/name brand test.

I actually was not qualified for this position. At the time, I was 1st year in my prereqs, and I was looking for some Pharm. experience. So, I volunteered at a hospital pharm a few days a week.

After a few months of volunteering, one of the employees said I should try to apply for the externship, so I did even though I was not qualified.

I got an interview and I took the tests. You needed a 80 on both tests to "pass", I got a 100 on the math and a 60 on the generic/name brand.

I then had a 2nd interview and I told them how I was unable to pass the generic/ name brand test in my stage of education, and It shouldnt be held against me.

I was then hired, and the rest is history.

Im actually pretty lucky, I guess, considering my qualifications, and the fact they had about 100 applications, for this one position.

I guess the volunteering paid off.

 

[sbomb]

So you're course didn't cover an externship? Or did it cover an externship except there was no connections with pharm tech employers?

 

[lozthegreat]

i never took any course

 

[sdn1977]

sbomb - you're in Los Angeles - the CA rules of technician registration are different from that that lozthegreat is speaking about in Indiana - not better nor worse - just different.

I have taught in a tech school - a community college program. You don't need to take a private school course. Look into the community colleges. You'll spend about 9 months, about $1000 & do lots of extern hours in which you'll be able to make yourself known to employers.

If you're good, they'll offer you something. Otherwise..you can find some positions if you call hospital pharmacies & speak with the director or call registries. Actually, registries are good places to try lots of different employers without committing to any. However, you have to leave the registry BEFORE anyone will hire you because they don't want to pay the finder's fee.

Good luck!

 

[Farmercyst]

The CA board of pharmacy will license you if you pass the PTCE (If I read the requirements right). This means you can go the self-taught route, but no guarantee of actually getting job.

Going the CC route you get the externship (see post above).

So in California, you actually have a choice. (I'd say CC is probably the best route, more complete education and cheaper than private institution.)

 

[ismellLikflower]

I]'m also from CA and this is what I did. I studied on my own for the PTCB exam , passed it and got licensed by the state. In the meantime, I was working as a pharmacy clerk at Kaiser. After I got my license, I applied for a pharm tech position. Kaiser's great coz they have their own pharm tech training school. Thus, you don't really need to pay $$$ to become a tech. Good luck!

 

[sbomb]

thanks for the feedback guys. much appreciated.