Pharmacy Technician Question...

[JRL]

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I am a clerk at Longs Drugs. Sometimes I get to help out in the pharmacy when it gets really busy, and I enjoy it.

I am taking my pre pharm classes right now, and I would like alittle Pharmacy experience. Its hard for me to find a job as a Pharmacy clerk, since Longs Drugs is Technician happy.

I was thinking about putting some time aside to do this Pharmacy Tech program, but I dont want to waste alot of time and money just to be a Technician. I am not going to do this for a life long career, but just to gain some Pharmacy experience.

I recieved a letter for this online Pharmacy assisting program that is inexpensive and alot quicker than some College.
I am just not sure if some fast online program is legit? I am not sure if I can get a job with this Pharmacy Assistant Diploma?
Are all the Pharmacy Tech Diplomas the same, does it matter if I got it from an online independent study program or not?

The website for the program is www.sci-careers.com
Can someone please take a quick peek at this and tell me if this program is legit or not? If I can get a job in a retail store as a Pharmacy Technician if I complete this course?

I would greatly appreciate the help. thx

 

[sdn1977]

What state are you in? In CA you just need to pass the PTCB exam & apply for a tech certificate from the state board. Look in the FAQ section of this forum for your state for requirements.

 

[JRL]

Yes I live in CA.

I will have to look into that.

 

[JRL]

But is just passing the PTCB exam as legit as any Pharm Tech Degree you can get at Bryman or whatever?

 

[gimpsd]

But is just passing the PTCB exam as legit as any Pharm Tech Degree you can get at Bryman or whatever?

Degree.....No Degree.....Whatever, just count the damn pills and put away the medications correctly. Thats all they ask. You don't become a better tech by going to a school but by getting your feet wet and figuring things out under fire. Good luck.

 

[JRL]

What I meant was.......when I apply for a job as a Tech, would they single me out since I didnt attend a school and all I did was pass the PTCB test?

 

[sdn1977]

No...I don't think you'll be singled out. Passing the PTCB is all you need.

 

[dreaminofpharmd]

For those who just passed the PTCB, do you feel prepared to work? How well do you need to know drugs names (generic and brand)? Do you feel like you know enough to work?

 

[JRL]

One of the Pharm Techs at my store told me that this test is only for Pharm Techs to take. And it certifies there license or whatever. I didn't know what the hell she was talking about, coulda been drunk actually.

Well, is this true ^

 

[JRL]

And can someone please answer my first question?

Is that sci-careers thingy a legit program?

 

[JerryPharmD]

And can someone please answer my first question?

Is that sci-careers thingy a legit program?

It's a waste of money. All they do is send you some books that you can purchase on your own for well under $100, but they charge $800. Study on your own and take the PTCB exam, which certifies you as a Pharmacy Technician. Don't waste your money.

 

[MissDiva2006]

I have been thinking of going to school to enroll in the Pharmacy Tech Program. But I was wonder would I need to enroll for the three semesters, or just apply to the Pharmacies. Get the on the job training and then get take the certified exam. I was wonder what is best? Go to school and get the Diploma or just apply with no experience without the schooling?

 

[sdn1977]

OK - there are a lot of quick answers here, but perhaps not complete.

This is for CA only - I don't know about other states. If you want to be a tech.....and ONLY a tech....which means you don't want to progress on to receive a BS degree in something or a PharmD.....just buy the books & take the PTCB. Its not that hard.

However, if you want to go on to receive a BS degree in something - go to college. You can start at a jc then transfer to a 4 year college. Or apply to a 4 year college to begin with. The BS degree will take you further, but not as a tech. As of now...there really is no greater compensation or expansion of duties if you have a degree - AA or BS (except for a few places which may pay you more initially, but it all evens out eventually).

If you want to go to pharmacy school - you need to pursue your prereqs through an accredited institution. You can start with a jc, but you'll eventually need to transfer to a 4 year school or apply directly to a Pharm.D program. There are lots of routes to take to this end. Some units in a tech school MAY transfer, but in CA this is not uniform. I, personally, wouldn't waste my time. I'd still take the PTCB, become certified as a tech so I could work while working towards satisfying the prereqs...but thats just me.

Good luck!

 

[Missflyygirl]

How do I find out about North Carolina laws in being a Pharmacy Technician?

 

[sdn1977]

I'd start by searching on the NC State Board of Pharmacy website - ncbop.org.

 

[JRL]

They say that this sci-careers thingy actually gets you the Pharm Tech Diploma.

Thats what I'm wondering, if doing this program makes you a Pharm Tech?

 

[sdn1977]

They say that this sci-careers thingy actually gets you the Pharm Tech Diploma.

Thats what I'm wondering, if doing this program makes you a Pharm Tech?

JRL - what is this "sci-careers thingy" you keep referring to? Is this a certificate program, an AA????? I know 2 local jcs - Foothill & Mission Colleges offer an AA in pharmacy technology. For those folks who want a degree and only want to get an AA - its ok. Bryman - don't know anything about it except that its expensive.

The ONLY way in CA you can become a certified pharmacy tech is to pass the PTCB. Now....if you take the courses I spoke about above - they will give you the info you'll need to pass. (I know - I taught in one for a few years). But...you can also obtain that information yourself if you are self motivated & can learn on your own - you just need to obtain the materials.

The programs don't "make" you a pharm. tech - the certification process does. Now...will taking the courses give you more exposure & make you more attractive to employers - well, yes & no. I think more depends upon your personality, how motivated you are & willing to do anything. Like most jobs - there is a whole lot of @#$% mixed in with the interesting stuff.

Does that help?

 

[JRL]

Whats the difference between a certified Tech and a non-certified Tech?

I have friends that did the class at Bryman and they havn't taken the PTCB, and they have jobs as Technicians but I guess they arn't certified.

And how often are these PTCBs given?

 

[JRL]

Sorry for being such an annoying jackass, but thats just what I am.

 

[Julianne]

They say that this sci-careers thingy actually gets you the Pharm Tech Diploma.

Thats what I'm wondering, if doing this program makes you a Pharm Tech?

I'm not sure if this is what you are trying to find out exactly, but here's my opinion...

If all you're wanting to do right now is become a PTCB certified pharmacy technician, you'll need to take and pass the PTCB certification exam and then apply for a tech license in your state. It's that simple.

The online program that you're referring to sounds like a waste of money to me. I don't think that they can guarantee you will become a certified tech if you complete their program because they cannot take the test for you. Basically with programs like that, you are just paying for study materials (and possibly support/help if you are having difficulty with some of the concepts) -you still have to take the test yourself and pass it in order to gain certification. My suggestion would be to get your hands on some study books, register/take the test and see how you do. If you pass, all you'll need to do then is fill out and application (and go through background checks, etc. - not really sure what all CA requires) and you'll "officially" be a certified pharmacy technician.

Also, as sdn1977 and others have said - there are many other things you'll need to consider if you're thinking of becoming a pharmacist, but that's for another post 🙂

 

[Julianne]

Whats the difference between a certified Tech and a non-certified Tech?

I have friends that did the class at Bryman and they havn't taken the PTCB, and they have jobs as Technicians but I guess they arn't certified.

And how often are these PTCBs given?

In Alabama, it is not required that you be certified to work as a tech, only that you be registered with the State Board of Pharmacy. Those who have opted to take the PTCB test would be considered the "certified" techs, while those who have not would be "non-certified".

Do your friends live in California? If so, I'm not sure how they are able to do that... I thought you had to be licensed AND certified in order to work as a tech there. Maybe I misunderstood the requirements 😕

I think the tests are given three times a year, but all of that information (incuding where to buy study materials) is included here: www.ptcb.org

Hope this helps.

 

[JRL]

Thanks for the info

That clears things up

Yeah, I thought I heard you needed to be Certified in Cali too. But alot of the people at my store say that they will take the test later this year but havn't done so yet.

I always thought that those classes at Bryman colleges was all it took to be a tech. So I guess those year long classes just get you ready to take the PTCB? And those classes can only get you a job as a non-certified tech?

Damn, what a waste of money.

Can I take the PTCB test fresh outta High school if I wanted???

 

[Julianne]

Can I take the PTCB test fresh outta High school if I wanted???

There may be a minimum age requirement... you'd have to call them and find out. As far as just being out of high school, I don't suppose that has any bearing on it (when I took the test, my highest education level was high school diploma).

 

[sdn1977]

JRL - you're not a jack*** - just getting too much misinformation. Here is where you need to go to find CA specific laws: www.pharmacy.ca.gov.

The law for registration requirements in CA changed in Jan 2004. In CA - technicians are "registered" not "licensed" - semantics to most folks, but for those who write the laws - these are uniform terms for all the State Boards (from Medicine to Pharmacy to Cosmetology, etc..) There is not "certification" designation within CA law - the certification comes from passing the PTCB.

You can:
1. Obtain an AA in pharmacy technology (the jc's I referred to earlier - about 18 months & $3000)
2. Complete a course of training specified by the board (rarely done anymore - this is a pia for hospitals & pharmacies that used to do it)
3. Be a graduate of a school of pharmacy accredited by the ACPE (this is for pharmacy school graduates who choose not to or who cannot pass the state board exam)
4. Be certified by the PTCB

If you choose (1) - every school I'm familiar with has you take the PTCB course to complete their curriculum....so....1 becomes 4. There may be a few who don't, but not many.

In CA, you cannot be a technician without being registered by the state board. HOWEVER....prior to the law change in 2004 - the state board "grandfathered" in all the techs who had become technicians thru experience alone. After 2004, experience no longer qualifies you. So..your friends may be in this group of individuals. In the beginning...some chains offered more money to techs who took the PTCB, even though they obtained their registration thru the grandfathering process, but I don't think that is the case too often anymore.

Yes - you can take the PTCB right out of high school if you want. You'd have to ask others....I think you can take it during high school if you want. I'm not sure if there is a lower age limit - perhaps 18 since at that age you can enter legal contracts & aren't restricted by work law hour restrictions.

Feel free to ask any other questions....

 

[Julianne]

In CA, you cannot be a technician without being registered by the state board. HOWEVER....prior to the law change in 2004 - the state board "grandfathered" in all the techs who had become technicians thru experience alone. After 2004, experience no longer qualifies you. So..your friends may be in this group of individuals. In the beginning...some chains offered more money to techs who took the PTCB, even though they obtained their registration thru the grandfathering process, but I don't think that is the case too often anymore.

Thanks for clearing that up! I just found out that when I move to Georgia I won't have to be licensed by the Board to be a tech. I wish that there was a set standard all across the board...maybe that would decrease on the amount of confusion out there.

 

[Julianne]

In CA, you cannot be a technician without being registered by the state board. HOWEVER....prior to the law change in 2004 - the state board "grandfathered" in all the techs who had become technicians thru experience alone. After 2004, experience no longer qualifies you. So..your friends may be in this group of individuals. In the beginning...some chains offered more money to techs who took the PTCB, even though they obtained their registration thru the grandfathering process, but I don't think that is the case too often anymore.

Thanks for clearing that up! I just found out that when I move to Georgia I won't have to be licensed by the Board to be a tech. I wish that there was a set standard all across the board...maybe that would decrease the amount of confusion out there.