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Depends on how diligent your week of studying is, but I would say if you're fine with the mathematics and just need to bone up on the law you'd be fine.
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Pharmacy Technician Questions Thread
Started by fidelio
Depends on how diligent your week of studying is, but I would say if you're fine with the mathematics and just need to bone up on the law you'd be fine.
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For those of you people stuck on studying for the PTCB, I've just recently stumbled upon a promising study group on Yahoo. The link is:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/JeanettasPTCBStudyGroup/
So far, everything seems to be great. It's been around since 2002 and has a great collection of study aides for the PTCB and various other aspects of the pharmacy. Check it out! 👍
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/JeanettasPTCBStudyGroup/
So far, everything seems to be great. It's been around since 2002 and has a great collection of study aides for the PTCB and various other aspects of the pharmacy. Check it out! 👍
wow that looks like a sweet resource! thanks!
For all those stressin out about the PTCE, I just took it this morning. I know I'm not the first to say this but...
Easiest...Test...Ever.
About 75 % of the test was basic basic algebra. Don't stress.
Easiest...Test...Ever.
About 75 % of the test was basic basic algebra. Don't stress.
For all those stressin out about the PTCE, I just took it this morning. I know I'm not the first to say this but...
Easiest...Test...Ever.
About 75 % of the test was basic basic algebra. Don't stress.
yep, that's why the test is a joke now
I would not say that just because 75% percent of the test is math makes it a joke. Really, I mean think about it, does a tech really need an in depth knowledge of what the medications are, no. This is because its against the law for them to counsel and only pharmacist can. Do techs need to know laws yes, but theres only so many that apply to techs.
The pharmacist doesnt want to be bothered with math questions when your working, so they test most heavily on math. Trust me some of the techs I work with I wonder how they pasted because they cant do multiplications in there head, and they dont know the ABC's...
When pharm techs can counsel then they can make 29 dollars an hour, but really they are more support for the pharmacist thats why they dont make the big bucks.
If you're suggesting that all you really need is math to be a tech, you're sadly mistaken. Not everyone has interaction software that places like Walgreens have. I have to actually know what drugs do when I go to work. If I get a script for a Warfarin increase that is vastly different, I know that is typically not correct. If a patient gets a script for hydralazine from one doc and a Lisinopril from another doc, I know I need to check that.
And I can do all of that without bothering the pharmacist.
Sorry, but the test is a joke. I just went on a rant about it on my blog last week and I know I'm not in the minority. I belong to a pharmacy society in my state and at the last statewide tech meeting they discussed how to get the PTCB to raise standards on a test.
It's kind like going and taking a welding certification test when you've never welded in your life. It just isn't right.
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The NAPLEX is a joke too, but no one's rushing to fix that.
At least they're qualified to take the test
Soooo the PTCE being easy is okay, so long as everyone who takes the PTCE has, say, gone to a Pharmacy Tech. training program, even if they snoozed through it and, essentially, paid their 7-13k smackers?
Seems like just increasing the difficulty of the test (all tests like that, to include NAPLEX) would be a much easier fix than simply forcing everyone to pay for those ridiculously overpriced programs.
It's neither here nor there, though, since nothing's going to change any time soon.
You don't need to go to a tech school, we can all agree that its a joke. But to be able to pass a test which says you're certified, i.e. meaning you have advanced knowledge of your job, when you've never worked in pharmacy or have minimal experience is wrong.
My manager and I made a decision a while ago that we're no longer going to focus on hiring C.PhTs. They come in with no knowledge whatsoever, but thing they're the greatest thing since sliced bread because they have their certification.
Ask some people who took the test three or more years ago about what it was like. It was VASTLY different than it is today.
"About" a month.
It should actually be written on the little printout you got from Pearson when you passed the test, saying something like, "Your results will be mailed to you on or about [this date], and your certification will also be available to view online."
Thanks. I took the test today. I did get a printout stating the result will be available online on the 30th. So about 2 weeks from today. The hard copy would probably come in the mail after that.
wasn't sure which technician post to put this in, but can anyone enlighten me on a typical day as a phone pharmacy technician working with prior authorizations?
i'm not sure if i should leave my current retail tech job for a phone tech job. i've worked in a call center(telethon) before and they are no fun in general, but i don't know anyone that's worked in a call center as a tech. seems like it'll be more organized and the work would be spread out instead of the retail scene where i'll have angry flash mobs of patients all wanting something now and disgruntled at me since their copay for $300 brand name drug costs $35 instead of $20.
i'm not sure if i should leave my current retail tech job for a phone tech job. i've worked in a call center(telethon) before and they are no fun in general, but i don't know anyone that's worked in a call center as a tech. seems like it'll be more organized and the work would be spread out instead of the retail scene where i'll have angry flash mobs of patients all wanting something now and disgruntled at me since their copay for $300 brand name drug costs $35 instead of $20.
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nvm
depends on the state, but you're really just swapping one form of frustration for another.
It sounds really simple to do, but then you have to baby doctors in order to get them to either give you the proper information or talk to you at all. Then you have to deal with the insurances who are just looking for a reason to deny a PA.
OK I know this thread got revived today for a different question but I am going to ask on the chance diastole will read it.
I am about to contact the volunteer coordinator at our base to see how I can get in to do volunteer hours at our Base Pharmacy (stopped by the Fam Service Center today to make an appt and he was not in). I am just interested to hear your experience.
The volunteers I have had the opportunity to chat with while picking up my own Rxs seem pretty nice and good-natured, so it must not be that bad of a work setting.
Contact your local American Red Cross office to volunteer on the base. The process to get started is lengthy but worth it. I had a fantastic experience at the base hospital at our last duty station and am going to continue where my family is stationed now. You can PM me w/any specific questions.
lol
Mosby's worked for me. As stated in other posts, I didn't memorize all the drug names. I focused on the history/law and calculations and passed on my first try after 2 wks of studying from this book. Good luck!
You do not need to be certified to get a tech job somewhere to give you enough experience to satisfy an admissions committee. You just have to look hard enough to find a place. Dress professionally and go and ask if they are hiring in person, you will get much better results than calling.
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Update? How is this working out? Just curious, been following the thread and no updates.
Update: It's great. I worked a lot and my boss is very flexible about school and needing to go to study group. She says that she'll be willing to write me a letter of recommendation when I apply to the local school. I'm already learning to type. I'm almost finished with all of my training-as soon as I started I was filling (my first Rx was generic Vicodin ES, 120 count-am I a nerd for remembering that?) My boss answers any questions I have as we go, I love it!
I'm really pleased that I work at CVS/Pharmacy
Good for you, I'm glad it worked out. Sometimes it just takes time, and patience, to land that position you want.
Actually, it's not surprising you remember that first Rx, just like you'll remember all of your mistakes that you'll learn from, but it is funny considering the med dispensed. Gotta love dealing with narcs and all the headaches that ensue.
Thanks for replying 🙂
My first was a statin.
How appropriate for America.
How appropriate for America.
Very. Lol
I fill over twenty statin-s within an 8 hour shift. its getting ridiculous. 🙄
I took the PTCB last week and now I am waiting for the certificate to come into the mail. I haven't start searching for jobs yet because I haven't register with the Pharmacy Board of California yet so I am just hoping that it wouldn't be that bad when I do. Do you or anyone on this board know if I can start looking for jobs as a CPhT right now or do I have to wait to be registered with the Board of Pharmacy before I can do that?
I have been reading all the threads on this board concerning the PTCB's Exam and everyone is right. As long as you know your calculations, pharmacy laws, pharmacy management, and some business terminology then you should be fine. There is only like 4 questions that would ask you for the generic name and brand name of certain drugs. The rest of the drugs questions is easy if you know the suffix or prefix of certain drug group eg. -azole is for anti-fungal then you should be fine. If I can pass without even studying any of the drugs name then you should too.
PS: Thanks to all of the posters on this board. If I wasn't here then I might have wasted more time trying to memorize 200 brands/generic names.
Too bad you don't live in Arizona. My hospital is hiring- we are looking for 3 technicians 🙂
I got hired with just the PTCB cert. The company actually paid for me to register with the state board of pharmacy within a week of hire.
I would have to agree with the earlier posters about the ease of the test. I took mine yesterday. I have been out of the pharmacy for 4 years and used the Mosby book for about 3-4 hours to refresh. The exam took me about 40 minutes and did not seem too difficult. I'm just excited to get back into the pharmacy in a few months. Good luck to the rest of you!
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I make $20 bucks an hour, full benefits, PTO, and tuition reimbursement up to $3500 a year. So, it IS possible! 🙂
Edit: some of techs I work with that have worked here a bit longer make like $25 and even higher.
What store do you work for?
I work at a hospital. When I worked retail at Osco Drug (which is now CVS) about 5 years ago, I made $10 and when I worked mail order (ExpressScripts) 3 years ago, I made $14. In my state, hospital is the way to go. I don't want to brag or anything, but I think the important thing is to sell yourself at the interview. Some companies will pay for the training and certification so if you can get your foot into the door that way, you're set. Oh- and here in Arizona, being bilingual gets you in the door in a retail position no problem. I think it is ****ty that bilingual people have it easier 🙂thumbdown) although I am pretty conservative on the immigration issue. Nonetheless, even a little bit of spanish will help you get the job even if it is just being able to hold a very basic conversation.
That makes sense. I had a job offer at a hospital pharmacy for 15 an hour. I guess the rate is good for techs in a hospital, but salary for the hospital pharmacists is low right?
Our hospital pharmacists make over 100K. I think it depends on the hospital and the region.
That's great! Everyone has the notion hospital pharmacists make significantly less than retail. I guess this is just a common trend, but is not the case all the time.
For all those stressin out about the PTCE, I just took it this morning. I know I'm not the first to say this but...
Easiest...Test...Ever.
About 75 % of the test was basic basic algebra. Don't stress.
I actually have seen many comments like this about the Test. But I'm still wondering "r u serious" every time I hear it. and yeah, one more time, "r u serious?" - I myself have no experience with pharmacy/drug AT ALL and i'm taking it this coming January 20th in Chicago. I ordered the Mosby book already and patiently waiting for it delivered. because of the holiday season so i have no idea when it could be delivered. I'm so nervous if I have enough time to be well-prepared for the test. i have the flashcard of the top 200 drugs. can anyone tell me what I need to do with these cards? memorize everything?
thank you.
Memorize the drugs by classes 🙂 miconAZOLE, fluconAZOLE, voriconAZOLE or acycloVIR, valgancicloVIR, etc.
you mean memorizing the -AZOLE and its class, things like that? what about the major use?
thanks.
Drugs of a certain class have a certain use. For instance, -AZOLES are the anti-fungals. VIRS are the anti-virals. Memorize them like that. That way, you don't have to memorize every single drug.
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