Pharm Tech

[aznpharmgurl10]

I was wondering what it took, for those of you that are pharmacy technicians, for you to get certified. I am curious as to how long it took you to get certified and whether or not you had to take any classes to pass the pharmacy tech certification test. I just applied for a job as a pharm tech and they said that they'll train and everything. I am curious because one of my friends said that it's like a full-time thing, where you need to take only 2-3 classes per semester and not be enrolled full time in school. But from what I got from the information about pharmacy technicians, that it was completely different. Both my friend and I are interested in pharmacy school and we both know that becoming a certified pharmacy technician would help our chances at being accepted into a Pharm D program. Any feedback would be much appreciated! Thanks.

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[Glycerin]

http://www.ptcb.org/

 

[kayjay]

I was wondering what it took, for those of you that are pharmacy technicians, for you to get certified. I am curious as to how long it took you to get certified and whether or not you had to take any classes to pass the pharmacy tech certification test. I just applied for a job as a pharm tech and they said that they'll train and everything. I am curious because one of my friends said that it's like a full-time thing, where you need to take only 2-3 classes per semester and not be enrolled full time in school. But from what I got from the information about pharmacy technicians, that it was completely different. Both my friend and I are interested in pharmacy school and we both know that becoming a certified pharmacy technician would help our chances at being accepted into a Pharm D program. Any feedback would be much appreciated! Thanks.

Unless the place that offered you the position requires you to become certified, you don't necessarily have to to be a certified tech to work as a pharmacy technician..you really just need to be licensed in your state. I don't think being a certified tech would make a huge difference on your applications to pharmacy schools; what really matters I think is whether you have experience working in a pharmacy, and again, you don't need to be "certified" to work as a tech. Being certified, however, could be an asset when you're looking for a job as a tech bc it could be difficult.

 

[Z e r o X]

How much will a certified tech make compared to a non-certified tech?

 

[trishias]

I agree. I was in a hospital explorers program as a summer intern which eventually turned into a full-time position. I was trained on the job and I am not certified because we are in a union and it doesn't translate into higher wages, unless u r a technician specialist. And under their supervision, I can enter orders, answer medication questions and compound oral solutions.

 

[jmhousem]

I agree. I was in a hospital explorers program as a summer intern which eventually turned into a full-time position. I was trained on the job and I am not certified because we are in a union and it doesn't translate into higher wages, unless u r a technician specialist. And under their supervision, I can enter orders, answer medication questions and compound oral solutions.

I'm a certified pharm tech (non-practicing). I was told in no uncertain terms that I was never to answer medication questions. That was the pharmacist's job. Could that be something that varies from state to state?

 

[trishias]

I'm a certified pharm tech (non-practicing). I was told in no uncertain terms that I was never to answer medication questions. That was the pharmacist's job. Could that be something that varies from state to state?

I am sure this does not vary state to state. I am an exception. If the pharmacist is busy (ie working on drug levels or entering orders) and the phones are ringing off the hook and I am free, I have permission to answer certain questions, as long as the pharmacist is next to me, because they trust me. One of our techs however has been caught impersonating a pharmacist though. Not me!! The RN's know I am a tech and I tell them the pharmacist says ____.

 

[Moolji]

I was wondering what it took, for those of you that are pharmacy technicians, for you to get certified. I am curious as to how long it took you to get certified and whether or not you had to take any classes to pass the pharmacy tech certification test. I just applied for a job as a pharm tech and they said that they'll train and everything. I am curious because one of my friends said that it's like a full-time thing, where you need to take only 2-3 classes per semester and not be enrolled full time in school. But from what I got from the information about pharmacy technicians, that it was completely different. Both my friend and I are interested in pharmacy school and we both know that becoming a certified pharmacy technician would help our chances at being accepted into a Pharm D program. Any feedback would be much appreciated! Thanks.

I didn't take a class to become a certified technician, all I did was study from the ptcb certification book and took the practice exam on ptcb.org. Its pretty hard(since I failed the first time), there are questions only an hospital pharmacy tech can answer and a whole bunch of componding questions. Also, back when I took the practice test on the ptcb.org website, it was free and I was able to print my results. Now you have to pay around $60, I believe. If you pm or email me, I can give you some of the questions, and if I can find time, I can give you all the questions. I really recomend becoming certified, I got a raise and most important its going to help me get into pharmacy school.

 

[aznpharmgurl10]

i was trying to register to take the pharmacy technician exam and it won't let me register because I don't currently work somewhere and I didn't take the class or I wasn't trained. I applied for a position as a pharm tech, but I still do not know if I got the position. I don't know what I should do if I don't get the job. I've already started studying for the Pharmacy Technician exam, and I want to take it this summer in July. Help please!!!

 

[Glycerin]

i was trying to register to take the pharmacy technician exam and it won't let me register because I don't currently work somewhere and I didn't take the class or I wasn't trained. I applied for a position as a pharm tech, but I still do not know if I got the position. I don't know what I should do if I don't get the job. I've already started studying for the Pharmacy Technician exam, and I want to take it this summer in July. Help please!!!

You shouldn't have any problem registering from the link I provided earlier in this thread. Here is a link from within the previous one: http://www.proexam.org/ptcb/

 

[aznpharmgurl10]

It won't let me register without an employer or training program. 👎 I'm assuming that you need to employed and trained to register to take the exam. 🙁

 

[DownonthePharm]

aznpharmgurl10:

You dont have to be working or in a training program to register for or take the PTCB. If it is making you select training or employeer from a list just select "OTHER". I was neither working as nor training to be a tech but I registered online and then took the test last month without any hassle.

 

[aznpharmgurl10]

I have tried to register again, and tried everything I could think of. It just won't let me register without an employer. I don't know what's going on! It tells me that I can't go onto the next section without filling out an employer name, even if I put other. Somebody, please help! Thanks!

 

[ultracet]

I am sure this does not vary state to state. I am an exception. If the pharmacist is busy (ie working on drug levels or entering orders) and the phones are ringing off the hook and I am free, I have permission to answer certain questions, as long as the pharmacist is next to me, because they trust me. One of our techs however has been caught impersonating a pharmacist though. Not me!! The RN's know I am a tech and I tell them the pharmacist says ____.

actually you are wrong

the law does vary state to state on this one