pharm tech job-pharm school acceptance

[PharmEm]

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I'm having a HARD TIME finding a tech job (Either it's fully staffed or I'm not qualified (meaning, they want at Pharm tech II)). I've tried retail, hospitals, and compounding pharmacies, and I sitll can't land one. How bad does it look if you apply to pharm school and don't work in a pharmacy, I'm sure the chances of landing an interview are hard w/o some experience, but how bad does it really look? I'm applying to Texas pharm schools so if anyone has any input on "job exp😛harm school acceptance" ratio that'd be great.
Also, can anyone recommend some other areas I can look at as a certified pharm-tech?

 

[PharmEm]

I posted this in the pre-pharm section but didn't get a response so hopefully you guys can help me out since your in pharm school aready.

Here was my question...
I'm having a HARD TIME finding a tech job (Either it's fully staffed or I'm not qualified (meaning, they want at Pharm tech II)). I've tried retail, hospitals, and compounding pharmacies, and I sitll can't land one. How bad does it look if you apply to pharm school and don't work in a pharmacy, I'm sure the chances of landing an interview are hard w/o some experience, but how bad does it really look? I'm applying to Texas pharm schools so if anyone has any input on "job expharm school acceptance" ratio that'd be great.
Also, can anyone recommend some other areas I can look at as a certified pharm-tech?

Basically, have any of oyu gotten into pharm school w/o working in a pharmacy?

 

[ultracet]

just for future reference....

we all read both forums....

yes i got in without actually having a job in a pharmacy. however it was a while ago so my experience is no longer valid

 

[ICA]

Try to get your foot in the door by volunteering at a hospital. It's easier for you to make contacts and it allows the pharmacy staff to get to know you... plus, you're the first to find out about any openings before the jobs are even posted! 🙂

If you want to go the retail route and tech positions aren't available, try looking for clerk or typist jobs. Any experience is better than no experience, I say. Once you're in, you'll be first to know about openings in other stores and promotions within your store (to tech status).

[As an aside, there is an opening at my store for a pharm clerk. Unfortunately, it's in the bay area, CA. I'm assuming you're from Texas and not CA?]

Lastly, don't get discouraged if is seems like no one is willing to hire you. Try harder! Flood your area with resumes, email recruiters (tell them you are a future pharmacy student, they love that), make follow-up calls... be persistent!

 

[Comet208]

you have an interesting case there. I wanted to shadow a pharmacist and for that i located the head CVS pharmacist in my area and went to see him. He explained that b/c of HIPPA regulations he was unable to let me go behind the counter but offered me a job as pharm tech on the spot!!

 

[OSURxgirl]

Don't give up. Pharmacies have high turnover rates for technicians. Make sure you leave a resume with everyone if they say they are full. I left a resume with a pharmacy because they were fully staffed and a week later they called me because a tech quit.Keep trying and you'll find something. If you can't get work experience, as another poster mentioned, volunteer experience at a hospital is a good idea.

 

[Portman]

try applying as a clerk, and once they see how good you are or a tech leaves then they might up to youa tech.

 

[DownonthePharm]

I had the same problems as you, compounded by the fact that I already have a full time job and school that eats in my time, so I started volunteering at a couple of free clinics that supply medications. They really got me in there filling and fileing from the first day!

 

[PharmEm]

Thanks for the replies everyone but here's the dilemma...

I'm applying to pharm schools THIS OCTOBER and what am I suppose to put down for the job experience section? I mean, I've been waiting to send off my applications due to the fact that I haven't been able to find a tech-job thus not being able to fill out the job exp. section of the application. I don't want to send it in leaving that section blank. Also, they recommend that a LOR be from someone you worked with and that just furthers my problem. I guess I'll just have to keep trying. Thanks again everyone.

 

[DHG]

I have a dilemma. I have a job now that pays 3x what a pharm tech makes... and there's no way I can afford to quit that job to take a pharm tech job. I've put in a few applications stating that I am available 2 days per week or so, but realistically, I know that's not likely. I know a pharmacist at CVS who said he'd hire me, but he's not able to hire for that few hours....but he said he'll talk to his regional manager next month when he's in....though he said it wasn't likely, so it looks like I'm not going to be able to find anything. I've interviewed two pharmacists, one hospital and one retail... I hope this is enough because I don't see how I'm going to be able to get a pharm tech job.

Anyone know about volunteering at hospital pharmacies? Is this worth trying to do or not? We have a VA hospotal here as well, maybe I'll try what the OP is doing.

 

[starsweet]

Hey PharmEm!

What I did in the job experience section was to put that I was still looking for a pharm tech job (which I was at the time I applied) and just put my other jobs (engineering) in that area. I am having trouble finding a pharm tech job too which is why I decided to wait till after I take the PCAT to really look hard core.

Hope that helps.

 

[PharmEm]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for your opnions agian, but guess what, I FOUND ONE!!!! I called up a friend of mine who works in an ambulatory clinic and he's the head pharmacist and he told me to come in on thurs. I called him earlier to ask for a job but at the time, he really didn't need the help so I guess persistance does pay off! Good luck to those that are looking and remember, just keep trying! I've called the same retail pharmacies and hospitals like 3-5x's asking for positions so don't be afraid to keep calling them. Thanks again.

P.S. Hi starsweet, I was actually going to do that (putting the work I did after college (non-pharmacy job)) and hope for the best. Good luck on the PCAT and on your search for a pharm-tech job. study hard.

 

[groo1515]

I got in with no experience at a pharmacy. I did do alot of work at a research lab at a university. Also I volunteered quite a bit at a hospital in the ER. I think most places just want to see that you have some form of patient contact.

Just for future references bbmuffin....I don't read both forums so I'm glad the question was posed here. Not all of us have hour after hour to read all the posts.

 

[Caverject]

I got in with no experience at a pharmacy. I did do alot of work at a research lab at a university. Also I volunteered quite a bit at a hospital in the ER. I think most places just want to see that you have some form of patient contact.

Just for future references bbmuffin....I don't read both forums so I'm glad the question was posed here. Not all of us have hour after hour to read all the posts.

Just for future reference groo1515....the pre-pharmacy forum is for topics about getting into PharmD programs. The pharmacy forum is for current PharmD students and practitioners.

Just for future reference for everyone....you really should know what you are talking about before you open your mouth.

 

[ultracet]

Just for future references bbmuffin....I don't read both forums so I'm glad the question was posed here. Not all of us have hour after hour to read all the posts.

honestly i don't care if you're glad or not

this is still a prepharm topic
and we refrain from double posting as it is pointless

if you would like to give advice to people on how to get into pharmacy school... please head over to the pre-pharm forum

 

[PharmEm]

Didnt mean to cause such a stir. I DID post this in the pre-pharm area but I thought it'd be wiser to post it here since you guys are already in pharmacy school, thus wanting to know if others who got accepted, got in w/o doing any pharm-tech work.
Thanks for all the replies though, everyone can disregard this topic now b/c I JUST found a pharm-tech job!

 

[jplaster]

Once again, I don't know if it would have an effect, but my school is a new school so things may be different. But personally, I know that about 1/4th of my class had no relevant pharmacy experience, whether volunteering or otherwise.

 

[Requiem]

Just for future reference groo1515....the pre-pharmacy forum is for topics about getting into PharmD programs. The pharmacy forum is for current PharmD students and practitioners.

Just for future reference for everyone....you really should know what you are talking about before you open your mouth.

Caverject is that you eating a SANDWHICH ?
DON'T TELL ME SOMEONE PAID FOR IT! YOUR DIGNITY, YOUR VALUES, YOUR PRIDE!!!!!!

I am refusing to eat as a pharmacist to lower drug costs. Stick to your convictions.

 

[Caverject]

Caverject is that you eating a SANDWHICH ?
DON'T TELL ME SOMEONE PAID FOR IT! YOUR DIGNITY, YOUR VALUES, YOUR PRIDE!!!!!!

I am refusing to eat as a pharmacist to lower drug costs. Stick to your convictions.

Who me?

 

[bananaface]

Moving to pre-pharm and merging with the existing thread...

 

[freshbeatschris]

I have a dilemma. I have a job now that pays 3x what a pharm tech makes... and there's no way I can afford to quit that job to take a pharm tech job. I've put in a few applications stating that I am available 2 days per week or so, but realistically, I know that's not likely. I know a pharmacist at CVS who said he'd hire me, but he's not able to hire for that few hours....but he said he'll talk to his regional manager next month when he's in....though he said it wasn't likely, so it looks like I'm not going to be able to find anything. I've interviewed two pharmacists, one hospital and one retail... I hope this is enough because I don't see how I'm going to be able to get a pharm tech job.

I gave up a job that paid a third more, had tuition waivers, vacation days, sick days, and a steady, acceptable schedule for a pharm tech job. I have regretted that decision every minute of every day. I am stuck in the pharm tech job for now. I wish I had thought out that decision better before I went for the tech job.

I think if you have solid grades, solid PCAT, and show a lot of responsibility, you don't really need the pharm tech experience... but that's just my humble opinion.

Chris

 

[DHG]

I gave up a job that paid a third more, had tuition waivers, vacation days, sick days, and a steady, acceptable schedule for a pharm tech job. I have regretted that decision every minute of every day. I am stuck in the pharm tech job for now. I wish I had thought out that decision better before I went for the tech job.

I think if you have solid grades, solid PCAT, and show a lot of responsibility, you don't really need the pharm tech experience... but that's just my humble opinion.

Chris

I hope you're right.