PharmD student, no available internship positions, should I get CPhT?

[avycaz]

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It seems like for every 1 pharmacy internship position, there are 20 tech position openings. After many applications and some interviews for internships, I've got nothing. I really only want to work at a health system and would really only consider community if I had nothing else (even then I'd probably only use it to get me through school for something else more interesting).

I'm thinking about getting my CPhT since it is only $130 for the exam and it should be easy to pass and land a job at one of the many open positions for hospital pharm techs around me. I've been a student in research labs for the past several years so the sterile technique and compounding stuff (mixing reagents) is second nature.

Is this a good idea? Or is there a way to work as a tech with an intern license. Sorry if this is a dumb question, I've never had a tech license/worked as one before and this is my first year of the PharmD.

 

[Litha]

This is probably state specific, but I will tell you what I did.

I worked at an outpatient pharmacy during all 4 years of pharmacy school. For the first year of school, with an extern license, I was listed as and paid a technician and was later "promoted" to a extern once I started my P2 year. That's just how the particular pharmacy I worked at wanted it.

My state doesn't allow multiple licenses to be held at once. So you can't have a CPhT and an extern (or intern) license. In my opinion, I see no reason why you can't apply to tech jobs with your intern license.

 

[Kelp103]

I work as a technician in a hospital and an intern at retail. Like they said, it depends on your state laws. My state you can have both. My area isn't use to having interns (no pharmacy school around), so only chains had intern positions to apply for.

 

[mr.bubbles]

Should you get a license to be a CPhT? - Absolutely! It is very beneficial to rack up work experience during school. This will be points added to your CV when you begin looking for a job(retail AND hospital).

Can you work as a tech with an intern license? - What Litha said.

There is nothing wrong with being a pharm tech in the retail setting. I believe it can build a foundation for you to be a pharmacist especially since you have no prior experience. Also keep in mind that hospitals do not just hire anyone. Having pharm tech experience from retail may bolster your resume next time you apply for a hospital internship/job. You have nothing to lose if you work as pharm tech in a retail setting.

Hope this helps