Pharm Tech

[wusiwug04]

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How do you get a job as a pharm tech? Do you have to be enrolled in a pharm tech program and then take the exam in order to be licensed and work?

 

[npp71681]

Hi!
wusiwug04,

I am a Pre-pharmacy student. I am working at a hospital as a Pharmacy Technician. Also, I took pharmacy technician class(countinuing education)(certificate degree) at community college. So, that way I got my certificate degree for pharmacy technician from community college. I am planning to take national exam in July.

 

[bananaface]

Some stores will train you in the store, others only hire techs who are trained through a vocational school. You have to call around to stores to find out who in your area does training on the job. 90% of pharmacy managers don't know their store's policy though. I know Wal-mart does on the job training. Long's Drugs (WA, OR) does on the job training. There have to be more places out there.
Anna

 

[surgical]

Isn't there a difference between a pharmacy technician and a certified pharmacy technician?

 

[dgroulx]

Isn't there a difference between a pharmacy technician and a certified pharmacy technician?

At the stores around here, they both do the exact same job, you just get more money per hour if you are certified. But, being certified is not required. I think it varies by state.

 

[bananaface]

Certified pharm techs go through big hoops and have to do continuing education evey year. I know Walgreens gives them "salary bump". This is the term they use for underpaying all the REST of their techs. Rite-Aid may also give preference.

 

[ultracet]

In AL, a pharmacist can have only 2 techs under them at any time. If one is certified then the pharmacist can have 3.

In VA i think the law says that by sometime (a specified date) this year all techs have to take the test... but i'm not completely sure on that... i do know that they have to be registered with the state board.

 

[2badr]

you all are right...it def. varies by state. here you have to be certified or at least that what all the jobs i've been looking into have required. i have also found also that experience is a big key, especially if you are seeking employment in a hospital setting.

i'm certified but won't be looking for a job until after the summer when i have my fall schedule down.

if you're going to take the july exam, be sure to register NOW. i think the deadline is May 21st for registering.
🙂

 

[tao08244]

Hi!
wusiwug04,

I am a Pre-pharmacy student. I am working at a hospital as a Pharmacy Technician. Also, I took pharmacy technician class(countinuing education)(certificate degree) at community college. So, that way I got my certificate degree for pharmacy technician from community college. I am planning to take national exam in July.

How long did it take to become a pharmacy technician? And how much does it cost? I'm looking into a vocational school right now and it's really expensive for 8 months.

 

[Glycerin]

How long did it take to become a pharmacy technician? And how much does it cost? I'm looking into a vocational school right now and it's really expensive for 8 months.

I'd try to avoid that route if absolutely possible. Most of the techs I know, including myself, began working the register in retail pharmacy (like Wal-mart, Walgreen's, CVS, etc) and were trained to be techs without paying for a class. I'd try to begin there. Retail can be extremely hectic (what job can't?), but what I did learn there in 2.5 years is invaluable. 👍

 

[tao08244]

From what I can tell, it seems that in CA, retail and hospitals are looking for people who have some formal training, certified or not, before working for them. There are so many of those vocational/technical schools around here, that it seems going there is a good route. But if I'm wrong, can someone please tell me what I can do in CA because I know the requirements vary from state to state.

 

[2badr]

From what I can tell, it seems that in CA, retail and hospitals are looking for people who have some formal training, certified or not, before working for them. There are so many of those vocational/technical schools around here, that it seems going there is a good route. But if I'm wrong, can someone please tell me what I can do in CA because I know the requirements vary from state to state.

I think this true. It is different from state to state. I was already enrolled in reg, classes and couldn't enroll in a pharm tech program, so I did a lot of on-line stuff to prepare for the test. (I took it in March 2004.) Since I had no prior knowledge of the field of pharmacy, I knew going in "blind" was a bad idea. A lot of the items on the exam were common sense. Others, I think it would have been helpful to have had some exposure/work experiene before taking the exam.

Although I have certification - soon to be required across the board here - I have found that it helps to also have experience. I can't tell you about the job market for techs because I haven't starting looking for a job in the field yet.

To the OP, be sure to check the FAQ sticky. You'll find a lot of the info you need in there. 🙂

 

[2badr]

How long did it take to become a pharmacy technician? And how much does it cost? I'm looking into a vocational school right now and it's really expensive for 8 months.

Go to the PTCB website and it will give you an explaination of all the items you need to review for the exam. You can even get the review book from ebay - or google it. You'll probably find most of everything you need at the website.

I'm not sure those classes are worth it, either. 😉

 

[htyotispharm]

If you work for CVS for a least 6 months they will pay for the exam and give you a $500 taxed bonus(about $360 after taxes) and you are not obligated to stay with them. After I got my bonus, I left. NO STRINGS ATTACHED!!