Pharmacy tech vs. Clerks

[spinwnogrin]

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New to the forum, but I have been using your forum to find a lot of great info on pharmacy schools and applications. Thanks for the invaluable advices! Still wondering though: What are the difference between Pharm Techs and Clerks? I've been trying to get a position as a Pharm Assistant at Kaiser, and at retail stores like Walgreen's and Rite Aid, but find it difficult. Retail stores tell me to apply for a store clerk, but are really looking for techs. Now, I understand with some college science background and studying, one can pass the PTCB, right? To get some good pharmacy experience, should I get certified or just apply as pharm clerk?

Thanks!

 

[confettiflyer]

a blind monkey with no arms can pass the PTCE. Seriously.

apply as a clerk, take the test, get licensed (if your jurisdiction requires it), and ask to be bumped up to tech. If they can't/won't...transfer somewhere else, you'll get paid a few dollars more

 

[spinwnogrin]

cool, thanks, then i'll just take the test

I'm in SoCal, so can't I just apply for the pharm tech position since i'm going to take the test anyways?

 

[confettiflyer]

yeah i told the hiring manager that i was signed up for the test and would be licensed within a few months. So yeah, I got hired as a clerk ($9 w/ CVS) and then upgraded to tech. once the license came in.

 

[hotsauce]

cool, thanks, then i'll just take the test

I'm in SoCal, so can't I just apply for the pharm tech position since i'm going to take the test anyways?

You don't need to be certified to be a pharm tech at walgreens. You just need to get a license, which u will get when u get the job. Later on, walgreens will pay for your certification test.

 

[CaliCPhT]

You don't need to be certified to be a pharm tech at walgreens. You just need to get a license, which u will get when u get the job. Later on, walgreens will pay for your certification test.

This may be true in some states, but in California, one has to be certified to become a tech. Possibly if you start as a pharmacy clerk (you will still have opportunities to learn the inner workings of pharmacy) the store will pay for you to take the test, but strings may be attached. Beware! 🙂

There are a lot of good websites that have study preparation for the PTCE- I used one when I took the exam several years ago, and did well.

 

[Farmercyst]

This may be true in some states, but in California, one has to be certified to become a tech.

Not 100% correct, but it's certainly the quickest easiest route to get licensed. You could always go to CC take 2 semesters of classes and get your 180 (or 240, I forget) hours of experience, or you could get experience in the military. Personally, I'd say snuggle up to a couple books for a few weeks and just take the test. Either way you do need a license in Cali to work as a tech, and I think that's what CaliCPhT meant.

As far as the difference is concerned, the only difference I noticed is that Clerks can't legally fill the meds (in CA). They can receive the script, enter it, but it must be filled by the clerk and verified by the Pharmacist. The clerk can then ring up the script. Now this is for CA, I'm not sure what the difference is in other states.

 

[confettiflyer]

Personally, I'd say snuggle up to a couple books for a few weeks and just take the test.

Weeks? 2 hours in the car before test time is sufficient, haha. More if you have no pharm experience and no chem/math background to do conversions/calculations

 

[1908PharmD]

okay, so i applied for a pharmacy tech job online last week, i went to a store yesterday to do part two of the application. (but this is not the store I want to work at, there is a new store around the corner from me). What do i supposed to do next? do i just walk into the new walgreens and tell the manager i finished the second part of the test???

 

[Splack]

I just got hired by Walgreens as a pharm tech. It doesn't matter what location you fill out your application at. I filled out the step 2 part at a Walgreens right by my house but got hired to work at one 15 mins away. Just make sure the place you want to work at is in need of techs and hope for the best.