Pharmacist technician

[dor940]

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I have been trying to get into a pharmacist technician job at walgreens and cvs. I enter my online application for both and did a skills assesment test for walgreens. But, I haven't heard anything back from them yet. I was just wondering if there is another way that I should try in getting into one of those jobs..

 

[monsterbrain]

Don't sit and wait for a response from them. You must be proactive! Put on a nice outfit, walk into the store of your choice, then introduce yourself to the pharmacy manager. You can let the pharmacist know that you have already filled out the online application. If that store doesn't have any openings, ask for the name/number of the district tech trainer (or someone in a similar position). District personnel, at least at Walgreens, would know of tech openings within their district.

Good luck.

 

[confettiflyer]

we get applications all the time in our fax (CVS), we look at them...are unimpressed, and usually put them in the back. Then we had this girl walk up and ask if there were any openings, and being fairly good looking...all us guys (including the PIC) told her to go fill out an application in the store. While she was doing that, we told our store manager to hire her.

haha...i dunno why i just told that story. but yes, you should walk in and inquire.

 

[ravingrabbid]

Yeah, you should probably just go into the pharmacy and demand a job/ask the pharmacy manager if there are any openings. If you're in the bay area (CA), I could probably pm you some Walgreens' tech coordinators' phone numbers if you're interested.

 

[pcproduct]

I just applied but won't be able to work until the first or second week of May. Should I talk to a pharmacy manager now, or wait until May?

 

[GATTACA CTAATGT]

Would calling your local Walgreens, Osco, or CVS be just as effective than walking in and inquiring? I called my local Walgreens yesterday and the pharmacist manager wrote down my name and cell number and he said that I would be added to the list of people he had.

 

[okay409]

I myself have been looking for a job in the pharmacy. I even took the PTCB exam which I study on my own and did very well on it. I hope it help me fine a job.

 

[monsterbrain]

Yeah, you should probably just go into the pharmacy and demand a job/ask the pharmacy manager if there are any openings. If you're in the bay area (CA), I could probably pm you some Walgreens' tech coordinators' phone numbers if you're interested.

Are you being a smarta** with that first sentence? Of course, you don't just go in and "demand a job." But if a person visits the pharmacy and introduces themself to the manager, they will make a memorable impression. Too many people send in applications or maybe call without coming in, and their names/numbers just get lost in the shuffle.

This is the reason I got a job with Walgreens.

 

[monsterbrain]

Would calling your local Walgreens, Osco, or CVS be just as effective than walking in and inquiring? I called my local Walgreens yesterday and the pharmacist manager wrote down my name and cell number and he said that I would be added to the list of people he had.

To answer your question, NO. It is a good start, but if you want that pharmacy manager to remember you, go to the store and introduce yourself. This will show that you are really serious and will separate you from other candidates that don't go into the pharmacy.

We had a pharmacy student about two months ago send in a very nice cover letter and resume inquiring about a job with Walgreens. She was well qualified, but her letter was placed in the bottom of a "call MD" box and has been there ever since. She never followed up on her letter and never got a job at our store. Her loss or ours?

 

[GATTACA CTAATGT]

Congrats on your success, monsterbrain. I was trying to be candid with my question. I have walked in and inquired once before explaining my situation. Basically, I said that I was a student who wishes to work part-time while going to school fulltime. I also told them I was interested as a tech because I would be going to pharmacy school eventually and the experience acquired would be useful. Well..apparently the pharmacist manager was only interested in full-time workers. I will probably have to apply for a full-time job when I am finsihed with my finals.
I also tried getting a volunteer position at the hospital but was waitlisted. I do not see how going in and talking with the pharmacist will remove me from a waitlist of people who are also willing to work there. I was 7th on the list back in late Jan. and as of now I am 4th. I usually follow-up every two weeks by calling them to see where I am at on the waiting list. Once you walk-in and inquire once at a store, the pharmacist might find it annoying if you walk-in again. Do you work full-time or part-time and are you going to school full-time or part-time, monsterbrain? If you have any more advice, feel free to share it.

 

[alum]

Well, I hope that you get into PharmD program first so that you'll be in a position of power to negotiate... But the pay sucks as a pharm tech or store cashier... How can anyone pay any bills with a $12/hour, assuming you can even get that high of a pay.

Congrats on your success, monsterbrain. I was trying to be candid with my question. I have walked in and inquired once before explaining my situation. Basically, I said that I was a student who wishes to work part-time while going to school fulltime. I also told them I was interested as a tech because I would be going to pharmacy school and the experience acquired with useful. Well..apparently the pharmacist manager was only interested in full-time workers. I will probably have to apply for a full-time job when I am finsihed with my finals.
I also tried getting a volunteer position at the hospital but was waitlisted. I do not see how going in and talking with the pharmacist will remove me from a waitlist of people who are also willing to work there. I was 7th on the list back in late Jan. and as of now I am 4th. I usually follow-up every two weeks by calling them to see where I am at on the waiting list. Once you walk-in and inquire once at a store, the pharmacist might find it annoying if you walk-in again. Do you work full-time or part-time and are you going to school full-time or part-time, monsterbrain? If you have any more advice, feel free to share it.

 

[monsterbrain]

One thing that I did not take into consideration is location! I live in a large city with Walgreens stores located about 3 miles apart from each other. In addition to the tremendous number of stores, our region is really hurting for pharmacists and sometimes pharmacy techs. It is easy to forget that it may not be this way in other places around the country.

If you live in a small town where there is only one Walgreens, I can see how it would be extremely difficult to get a job there. In my area it is fairly easy to get a job at Walgreens because they are everywhere and usually have a high turnover rate for pharmacy techs. Even so, the pharmacy managers will never seek out employees; they wait for the prospects to come to them. That is why a personal visit works in this particular location.

So GATTACA, if your pharmacy tech opportunities are limited due to number of stores or other factors, I can see where visiting the store may not be successful. It looks like you are taking all the right steps. I think it is VERY smart of you to call every few weeks because when a position opens up, they will definitely not overlook you!

I admit that I am extremely lucky to be in a place where tech jobs are abundant, but I still stand by my original suggestion for any applicant to follow up a phone call or computer application with ONE personal visit.

 

[mrblah]

reason OP can't find a job is because he/she is applying for a pharmacist technician job.....

On a more serious note, its kind of hard finding a tech job atm, pharmacy's dont usually hire in the summer because if pharmacy had a offseason, it would be the summertime. Also, it doesn't help that the economy is taking a dump atm.

Keep looking, tech jobs usually open up early fall, and extremely easy to find around dec/jan.

 

[Transformer]

The easiest way to find any job is to have connections. (easier said than done)

In your case, seek out your local Pharmacist at a church, or through family or friends. Tell him or her, you are interested in learning more about the pharmacy field and you like to work at their pharmacy. If there is no job opening, ask if you can volunteer once a week or twice a week there. This way, if a job opening does open up, you will be next in line to take the job.
You can volunteer at both a retail or at a hospital. Make an effort to get to know everyone and ask to be consider for a job if there is any future tech job openings.

Another way is sign up for pharmacy tech school or ROP program. Tech schools teach you basic information needed to be a pharmacy tech and most importantly, help you find a job by giving you opportunities to intern at different locations. From my experience, pharmacies get free help through tech interns. If the interns are helpful, they hire them after they graduate from tech schools.

Pharmacies want good help and they rather have an experienced and trustworthy person than someone they have to teach on the spot. At a retail setting like Walgreen or CVS, pharmacies are so swamped and busy, they don't have time to teach you. If you want to learn at retail store, volunteer or work during the weekends or weekday mornings. They have more time to teach you when its not so busy.


I been a pharm. tech for 3 years (both retail and hospital) so if you have any questions, pm me.

good luck!

 

[Transformer]

reason OP can't find a job is because he/she is applying for a pharmacist technician job.....

On a more serious note, its kind of hard finding a tech job atm, pharmacy's dont usually hire in the summer because if pharmacy had a offseason, it would be the summertime. Also, it doesn't help that the economy is taking a dump atm.

Keep looking, tech jobs usually open up early fall, and extremely easy to find around dec/jan.

Pharmacies hire when they are extremely short-handed, and can't pull enough help from the nearest pharmacy chain store. Since a limited number of techs can be hired per retail store, many pharmacy techs work as clerks and wait for tech openings at another store location. This is why most tech position get filled up so quickly.

Tech job openings are more abundant during the fall than the summer time because more patients get sick during the fall than the summer time. Its what we call the "cold/flu season" (from around Oct to Feb). Retail Pharmacies are relatively busy during the flu season and need lots of help at that time.

Most poorly staffed pharmacies get ready for the flu season by hiring during or at the end of summer. (around aug or sept)

My recommendation is to look everywhere. Start looking well before the flu season starts.

I hope this helps.

 

[Transformer]

One thing that I did not take into consideration is location! I live in a large city with Walgreens stores located about 3 miles apart from each other. In addition to the tremendous number of stores, our region is really hurting for pharmacists and sometimes pharmacy techs. It is easy to forget that it may not be this way in other places around the country.

If you live in a small town where there is only one Walgreens, I can see how it would be extremely difficult to get a job there. In my area it is fairly easy to get a job at Walgreens because they are everywhere and usually have a high turnover rate for pharmacy techs. Even so, the pharmacy managers will never seek out employees; they wait for the prospects to come to them. That is why a personal visit works in this particular location.

So GATTACA, if your pharmacy tech opportunities are limited due to number of stores or other factors, I can see where visiting the store may not be successful. It looks like you are taking all the right steps. I think it is VERY smart of you to call every few weeks because when a position opens up, they will definitely not overlook you!

I admit that I am extremely lucky to be in a place where tech jobs are abundant, but I still stand by my original suggestion for any applicant to follow up a phone call or computer application with ONE personal visit.

I have to agree with the personal visit or personal touch. All follow up emails or phone calls will make you look professional and serious about getting a pharmacy job.

Like many careers, Pharmacy is a field where your connections and reputation means a lot (This applies to both techs and pharmacists). people are hired as techs/pharmacist and/or accepted to pharmacy school only after an interview. This interview will determine if the boss or admissions committee likes you. In a competitive world where there are so many qualified applicants with the same experience/residences and stats, I rather hire someone that has tons of experience and/or comes highly recommended from a respected colleague of mine.

Find your connections. If you don't have them, work from the bottom and let your excellent and flawless work do all the talking.

 

[thephoenician88]

lol, ok let me give you an example of what you shouldn't do, i had someone call a few days ago and straight up ask me, while i was working, "how much does a tech make there?"

I said " i don't know" and after a rude comment i hung up the phone. Honestly, that's not the way to apply for a job.

 

[ravingrabbid]

Sorry, I didn't mean to sound rude or be a smart***. What I was trying to say, was, be persistent and get a hold of the training/tech coordinators' numbers if you don't hear back after applying online. The tech coordinators are the ones who determine the hiring for the district, and yeah, I did forget that the pharmacist finds it very annoying if you keep coming in and asking for a job. When I applied online for Walgreen's, nothing happened for at least two months. Finally, I called the tech coordinator/training person and she ignored me twice. I was finally able to get the job when I asked the pharmacy manager if they were hiring. They said no but then they mentioned that the district was hiring. Then they took down my info and called the tech coordinator for me. Eventually, after a month of phone tag, I was able to get the job. Again, I'm sorry if I sounded stuck-up with my previous post.

 

[fungikid]

I'm not trying to make fun of the OP, but I really think we should tell him/her it's "pharmacY technician" and not "pharmacIST technician" before s/he makes that mistake on his/her cover letter.

I'm pointing this out because s/he consistently made this mistake both in the title and in the message of his/her post.

 

[confettiflyer]

yeah, whenever i see minor mistakes come in like that in our fax machine (ie misspelling technician or whatnot), I point it out to my PIC and he tells me to file it away in the circular file (trash, for those too dense to figure that out).

Best way for you to be a tech is to get hired as a clerk, fulfill tech licensing requirements, and then demand getting paid as a tech. This is what I did...so I'm getting paid as a tech while having the responsibilities of a clerk/tech (I fill for a few hours then work the register and in window here and there).

Our old fogies for techs (in their 40's and 50's) stay planted at the drop off window due to "seniority" even though I have a college degree and they don't. Kind of a bummer since I hate working the register...that's for 17 year old minimum wage workers.

Ah but I digress...I'll be an intern and then pharmacist soon enough.

 

[Garfield3d]

Without a doubt, visit the pharmacy firsthand if it is at all convenient. In the rollercoaster type atmosphere of a pharmacy, you as an applicant want to make a strong lasting impression. Sending in an application only really doesn't give much to go on. A phone call helps, but being able to meet someone in person gives the pharmacist a face and personality to identify with. For your own sake, if you really want to be working with these people, you might as well get a head start and figure out what they are like.

When I was first looking for a spot as a pharmacy technician, I spammed the hell out of every store in the Plano area. Of those, I called some 4 locations, and visited 3 stores in person. In the next 3-4 weeks, I got calls back from all 3 stores that I visited and of the stores I called, one of them called back. Application only did not get me any response.

At the very least, give the specific stores a call to their pharmacy. If they have any interest, they will tell you.

--Garfield3d

 

[PharmDnewb]

I got my pharmacy technician job last summer. What I did was I wore a nice polo, nothing too dressed up but nothing too casual either, printed a bunch of copies of my resume, walked up to the pharmacy and asked if they had any jobs available. I handed them my resume and they told me to apply using their in-store computers. About a week later I called all the pharmacies and asked if they had a chance to look at my resume yet. *Make sure YOU call the pharmacy back* I was lucky enough to get an offer from CVS and Walgreens. (I took the Walgreens job b/c it's closer to my house).

Don't bother using the online applications. My brother and I used it but we only got jobs by walking into the pharmacy. Also, try to apply before the summer starts. That's when all the pharm students start working and the demand for new technicians is low.

 

[SCCpharm]

Okay, here are some important tips that no one has mentioned:

You need to go visit the pharmacy when it is not busy. Less busy hours are early mornings (8am-9am). Do NOT go during the lunch hour rush and the 5pm rush. Most likely the pharmacy manager will not have time for you during those times. When you walk in the pharmacy, assess it. If you see, they are not that busy, go for it.

You need to talk to the pharmacy manager. The techs or the staff pharmacists will most likely not be able to help you, aside from offering comments to the pharmacy manager.

 

[Mizab]

Biggest tip to you is just keep on going often for pharmacy technician jobs seems to usually just pop up. Often times when we have had to hire a tech it's just that they came by at the right time.

 

[kevintech]

Anyone know how to get around CVS's application? I [stupidly] failed the test but the pharmacy manager really wants to hire me. What do I do!? [besides wait 90 days]

 

[alpha12]

do u need a license to get a job as a pharm tech. I heard that they osco and walgreen certify you. Is it true for other retailers.

 

[ravingrabbid]

do u need a license to get a job as a pharm tech. I heard that they osco and walgreen certify you. Is it true for other retailers.

Yes, you need a license in order to work as a tech. Walgreens can certify you if you're an extern/going to tech school - basically, they try to help you in applying for the state license. However, it's better that you take the PTCB exam and then get the license as some stores won't want you as a tech if you don't have both the PTCB certificate and state license

 

[confettiflyer]

do u need a license to get a job as a pharm tech. I heard that they osco and walgreen certify you. Is it true for other retailers.

depends on which jurisdiction you are practicing in.

or in other words, depends on your state.

 

[pharmgrl5]

This likely doesn't happen much but my best tip is to keep an eye out for new stores opening up. Like if you find out a new grocery store (with a pharmacy) is opening in your area, check and see what positions they are hiring for. I just (in the last week!) got hired as a pharmacy technician at a store that doesn't open until May 6th. I applied back in February, got my first interview a month later, got my second interview 3 weeks later and was hired the next day. I don't have my certification or prior experience, I really think I got lucky with this job. There were 6 other applicants for 2 spots and fortunately I was the only pre-pharm student and they liked that there was a possibility that they could "keep" me later on.

Basically, keep your options open. Keep your eye out for new stores opening in your area and if there happens to be one then APPLY!! 😀 That might just be what you need to get a tech job. The store I got my job at opened in a nice area and the store is really nice also. Tech jobs in my area are not abundant and are taken fast so other than this job my odds of getting one were quite small. I had already applied to several other places.

Just a tip there for job seekers!

 

[khoadogg]

Probably have more success applying at super busy pharmacies with a lot of angry customers... hah, they always seem as though they could use the extra help

 

[collegegirl247]

go to the pharmacy and introduce yourself...that alone can get you a job...at my pharmacy they dont even really consider the applicants unless they call or come in to speak with the pharmacy manager

 

[Sparda29]

I didn't have much trouble getting a job at CVS. I just walked in to my local CVS, filled out an application on the phone/computer/thing.

I didn't hear anything, so I called up in a few days, they said they would relay it to the district manager. 10AM the next Monday, the district manager calls and says he wants me to come in for training.

 

[inquirer89]

I started my search for a clerk or tech position almost a month ago (to beat out the summer applicants). I went to several...7 locations... and introduced myself to the pharmacy manager and handed in a resume, along with filling out their official application online or in-store. I have called back to those locations as well. Unfortunately, they all said that they were filled and were not hiring and I should try again later. I also tried calling and filling apps for locations farther away, to no avail.

My backup plan is to work as a store associate/cashier and then wait for an opening. But I really don't want to waste time and get as much retail pharm experience as I can. Is there anything else I should do to push for a position? Or are managers serious when they say that they can't open any hours for me, and I should call back later?

 

[collegegirl247]

my store always use to say that even when we did have a few hours open... I think your best bet is to tell them that you are looking at staying with the company through pharmacy school and you have no problem working even just a few hours a week...once you are on the schedule you will build more hours in no time

 

[shiftedzeal]

I'm in the same boat that you are in. I started in April and I'm meeting with a walgreen's manager this Wednesay. I hope it goes well...They are opening a new store in about three weeks and he said that he did need some pharmacy techs.

 

[Sparda29]

That is a issue that I have with CVS, budgeted hours. If they want great customer service, they should allow the pharmacy manager to have like 5 techs on at the same time. That way, you have an extremely effective and fast team.

2 Techs on Drop-Off
1 Tech on Production
Pharmacist on Verification/Consultation
2 Techs on Pick-Up

 

[b*rizzle]

That is a issue that I have with CVS, budgeted hours. If they want great customer service, they should allow the pharmacy manager to have like 5 techs on at the same time. That way, you have an extremely effective and fast team.

2 Techs on Drop-Off
1 Tech on Production
Pharmacist on Verification/Consultation
2 Techs on Pick-Up

That would be a great set-up, except that some places (like NC, for example) have a law stating that there must be one pharmacist for every two technicians on duty (three are allowed, if the third tech is a CPhT). You have to "apply" to the BOP in order to get permission to have extra techs. So the problem really is making sure that you've got enough RPhs to handle the volume, though supportive staff is vitally important too.