Pharmacy technician certification renewal?

[meowmeow]

So heres the thing... I am a pharmacy clerk and have had a pharmacy tech certificate for 2 years now. That means that its time for a renewal! I am going to pharmacy school this fall so will be quitting my clerk job some time this summer. My question is, should I renew my certification which can eventually become a license? Or should I just not do it? Theres a fee but I didnt check to see how much. Thanks!

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[Loquacious]

What do you mean by certificate? Is it through your state or is it a national technician certification? Keeping an tech license in your state is a good idea in my opinion. Depending on the state you go to pharmacy school, there are different requirements to work as a pharmacy intern. For instance, in Oregon you have to complete your first year of pharmacy school before you're able to work as an intern. If you plan on making money on breaks or over the summer, working in a pharmacy will only HELP your application. Most states also will inquire as to why you allowed your license to lapse if you DO decide to reapply after letting it expire.

 

[meowmeow]

OH sorry forgot to mention the state. Well its the national certification but its not the license. I'm from california and I will be attending a school in california. Just wondering if its a good idea to renew it... will probably get the intern license a few months into pharmacy school though.

 

[Jaded03]

OH sorry forgot to mention the state. Well its the national certification but its not the license. I'm from california and I will be attending a school in california. Just wondering if its a good idea to renew it... will probably get the intern license a few months into pharmacy school though.

Oh...haha. If you were in California, why didn't you get your license? It's only a fee away if you have your PTCB - IN CALIFORNIA. I couldn't stand working as just a clerk after 2 months, so I took the test and started working as a technician. I know little about the intern license, but I do know not all places have budgets for interns and if I have a hard time getting a few hours recorded as an intern, I wouldn't mind working as a technician for extra money. Will I have to resort to this, probably not, but it's just another small check to write.

 

[dumbguy]

OH sorry forgot to mention the state. Well its the national certification but its not the license. I'm from california and I will be attending a school in california. Just wondering if its a good idea to renew it... will probably get the intern license a few months into pharmacy school though.

does the pharmacy that you work at, reimburse you for the renewal fee? If yes, why not? Do they reimburse you for the license? If yes, go ahead and get the license. It would be nice to have a certification and license on your resume. I don't know if it helps you find intern positions more easier but it doesn't hurt.

 

[hngo003]

If you're attending pharmacy school this fall, then I don't think you should renew it. You will be applying for an intern license when you start pharmacy school, so you don't really need to renew your certification or get the tech license when you are going to be a intern pharmacist soon. 😀

 

[meowmeow]

Thanks for all your answers! I have to decide by the end of this month hehehe.

Jaded - wow ure scaring me! That would super super super suck if I couldnt find a place to be an intern at... and we are overstaffed right now so they dont need a tech.. it sucks.

Dumbguy - I am not sure if Rite Aid reimburses me or not.. maybe I'll ask the manager.

hngo - Thats what I was thinking too, but like Jaded said, what if they dont have intern positions? Has anyone had trouble finding a job as an intern? That scares me.

 

[Jaded03]

Thanks for all your answers! I have to decide by the end of this month hehehe.

Jaded - wow ure scaring me! That would super super super suck if I couldnt find a place to be an intern at... and we are overstaffed right now so they dont need a tech.. it sucks.

Dumbguy - I am not sure if Rite Aid reimburses me or not.. maybe I'll ask the manager.

hngo - Thats what I was thinking too, but like Jaded said, what if they dont have intern positions? Has anyone had trouble finding a job as an intern? That scares me.

LoL. Oh geez, I didn't mean to scare you. I doubt you'll have TROUBLE finding one. All schools should help facilitate it. I was just expressing about your original post: the renewal.

However, if you cannot be promoted to technician, then I think RiteAid might not be your best bet. I've never heard of desiring clerks like that. A technician can do a clerk's job. There's no excuse. In a perfect pharmacy there are no clerks. I can't imagine what their budget will be like for interns.

 

[hngo003]

Thanks for all your answers! I have to decide by the end of this month hehehe.

Jaded - wow ure scaring me! That would super super super suck if I couldnt find a place to be an intern at... and we are overstaffed right now so they dont need a tech.. it sucks.

Dumbguy - I am not sure if Rite Aid reimburses me or not.. maybe I'll ask the manager.

hngo - Thats what I was thinking too, but like Jaded said, what if they dont have intern positions? Has anyone had trouble finding a job as an intern? That scares me.

I don't think getting the technician license is going to help you, especially now that you are going to attend pharmacy school this fall. Besides, a intern pharmacist license is above a technician license.

You shouldn't worry about applying for intern jobs. Schools usually set up career fairs or have employers come by for you to apply for internships. Also, if you show on your resume that you have pharmacy experience, I think that is already an advantage for you. I had a tech license, but I didn't put it on my resume because I don't think it's necessary. I was able to get a job just fine. 🙂