pharm tech interview.. help!!

[pharmgrl5]

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I applied to a few places about a month ago, one of which is a grocery store that isn't even opening till May. Yesterday I got a call back from that store! I have my interview tomorrow afternoon. I'm thrilled but am now really nervous. I don't know if they require certification or not. I'm going to be taking the exam during the next exam period which starts April 28th. The site says results come out 3 weeks later. Now I'm really nervous about if this will be an issue or not. They start training of all the employees during the second week of April. Wondered if anyone could help me out here with a few questions and tips? 😀

1. For a pharm tech position do they ask any questions related to the job specifically?
2. How might a company handle a situation where a person is not certified but will be soon?
3. Is it ever appropriate to ask what the pay range is?

Any tips or advice would be much appreciated! I so want this job!!

 

[parabolic]

The first pharmacy I worked at was also part of a grocery store, and I hadn't had any pharmacy experience prior to working for them. At the interview, they didn't ask any questions specific to the pharmacy profession-- mostly why did I think I was qualified, how did I define 'customer service', would I be available to work xx hours, those sorts of questions. They told me right up what my starting pay would be if I were hired, so that wasn't an issue. Could be different at every store, though.

The second place I worked had to deal with the complication that I was PTCB certified and experienced, but didn't have a license to work as a tech in that state (I had just moved there). They dealt with it by hiring me as a cashier until my license was in order. Your pharmacy might hire you as a cashier and then bump you up to tech once you are certified; it's definitely something to ask about in the interview.

Good luck on your interview, I hope you get the job!

 

[redley]

At my pharmacy (in Texas) you have to be registered as a tech in training until you get your certification, but they work all that out after they hire people. I think they put more weight on the person's work ethic, attitude, etc. than they do on the certification and they give you at least a year after you're hired to pass the test and everything. But it's not retail, so it could be totally different.

Good luck!!

 

[pharmgrl5]

What counts as retail?

I'm going to place emphasis on the fact that I should have my test results back within 2 weeks of the store opening, it opens May 2nd and I'm guessing (could be wrong) that at first the store won't even be that busy, at least in the pharmacy. Perhaps they can use that time to train even more and by the time it picks up more I'll be certified anyway. They are doing a 2 week training session for all employees in April, I see that as a good thing because perhaps it'll mean they'll be more willing to train me since they are going to be devoting 2 weeks to it anyway.

 

[mrblah]

retail usually refers to outpatient pharmacy, where the pharmacist/techs/clerks work directly with the consumer/patient in a retail setting (cvs, longs, walgreens, and the list goes on).


inpatient pharmacy is a total different ballgame than outpatient pharmacy.