Pharm Tech?

[tao08244]

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I've called a few hospitals asking if they have any volunteer opportunities within their pharmacies, and most the the people that I've talked to said that they don't hire volunteers, and if I want to work in their pharmacies, I would have to be certified or licensed. I am planning to take some pharm. tech. classes this summer so that I can become a certified PT to get some pharmacy experience. Does anyone know another way that I can get some pharmacy experience? I live in L.A., if that matters.

 

[utlonghornsandy]

Try to look at Retail Pharmacies. I don't think they require experience as hospital, because there is clerk positions. Eckerds also hires you as a clerk at first then gives you in house training and then promotes you to PT, thats what one of my friends did. Now some states require you to be registered with the state, and that requires you to have the Certification already.

 

[tao08244]

I've never heard of Eckerds. I checked their website, and that's because they don't have any stores within 50 miles of my location. From what I can tell, though, it's similar to Walgreens, Sav-On, and so forth. I'll surely look into retail pharmacies. Hopefully I can work as a clerk, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to take those extra classes during summer to get certified, huh?

 

[utlonghornsandy]

Being certified really helps you become a competitive applicant. Some places you get a raise too! I got a 1.00 raise when i got certified, i was working at a hospital. It was also required for me within 1 year of when i got hired.

 

[Shoplifter]

I thought that the pharm tech certification exam was actually very simple and straight forward. You can purchase a study guide from amazon and go over the practice exam on the PTCE website. Personally, I don't think it's worth spending a few thousand dollars taking classes to prepare for the exam. Perhaps having some pharm tech education will help you find a job faster, but many employers do provide on the job training. The deadline to register for the next exam is may 21.

 

[tao08244]

Shoplifter, I agree, spending that extra money doesn't seem worth it. Can anyone just sign up and take the PT exam? BTW, how much are certified pharm. tech. making these days anyways? Does anyone know?

 

[jdpharmd?]

Shoplifter, I agree, spending that extra money doesn't seem worth it. Can anyone just sign up and take the PT exam? BTW, how much are certified pharm. tech. making these days anyways? Does anyone know?

Yeah, anyone (HS diploma) can sign up for it. Certified techs here are making 12-14/hr, but I know that AZ usually pays pretty well compared to other states, with the exception of California.

Those online/distance schools LOVE to make money from pharmacy tech/medical office assistant training. Those rank very highly in my "scams to consider making money off of" book.

 

[BenU29]

The PTCB Exam is not very difficult. The calculations part of the exam is pretty much just basic ratios. When I got certified, I got a $500 dollar bonus, but no wage raise 🙁

 

[tao08244]

For those who got certified, did you take classes or did just buy books and study on your own?

 

[jdpharmd?]

For those who got certified, did you take classes or did just buy books and study on your own?

If you can find me a pharmacy student who took the courses to get certified, you win a gold star. 😀

 

[tao08244]

IC, hMm..I was considering going to one of those vocational schools to get hands-on training. Now, I'm thinking I should just study and get certified on my own?!?

 

[ultracet]

Yeah, anyone (HS diploma) can sign up for it. Certified techs here are making 12-14/hr, but I know that AZ usually pays pretty well compared to other states, with the exception of California.

Yeah that's MUCH better than over here

 

[Glycerin]

For those who got certified, did you take classes or did just buy books and study on your own?

Honestly, I didn't study at all for it, and my score was high. 👍