Pre-Pharm Student Confused!

[EpicPharm]

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Hi, Im currently an undergraduate prepharm student in my freshman year. I really want to gain some experience within the pharmacy setting. However, I am confused on how to become a Pharm. Tech.

-I have looked over Walgreen's website and they say that they offer an externship (a payed training program). If anyone has ever done this, do you know whether while doing the externship one also gets certified as well?
-Also I have heard many mention that going to pharmacy technician school is useless. So, for becoming certified do I just need to study for the exam and ace it? do I need any training or is it simply the matter of passing the exam?

*Also if the Walgreen externship program does certify. How many hours a week do I have to dedicate to this externship? Because I am a full time student with 18 credits right now and I dont want to overwhelm myself.

I appreciate anyone replying to these questions. Also if you have any more advice regarding getting a pharm tech job/certification would be much appreciated!!

 

[Verte]

Pharmacy tech school is worthless. I have a friend who did it, and now owes $10,000 for it in student loans. And it's only a certificate program!

I applied to my first tech position by just applying to open positions in the area. As long as you have previous customer service experience, you'll find the first few months of pharmacy work very customer oriented. Good luck!

 

[EpicPharm]

Thank you for the reply! I have previous experience with customer's so this is a relief.I have one more question, when they accepted you did the provide some sort of training? If so how long did it take?

 

[Skrumpy]

My answers are in bold.

Hi, Im currently an undergraduate prepharm student in my freshman year. I really want to gain some experience within the pharmacy setting. However, I am confused on how to become a Pharm. Tech.

-I have looked over Walgreen's website and they say that they offer an externship (a payed training program). If anyone has ever done this, do you know whether while doing the externship one also gets certified as well? - Most chain stores have their own training program now. It is just cheaper to mass produce techs than try to hire techs that have paid for tech training at a school. You do not get nationally certified with their training. You have to take the PTCB exam in order to get nationally certified.

-Also I have heard many mention that going to pharmacy technician school is useless. So, for becoming certified do I just need to study for the exam and ace it? do I need any training or is it simply the matter of passing the exam? - It's useless.. I'd rather buy $10,000 worth of snake oil and rub it on my body.. you would get more "training" out of doing that then taking a course on how to be a pharmacy tech. You don't need to "ace" the PTCB exam, you have to do some basic math, know a few drugs, know a few laws, etc. Get the $15 book and spend a decent amount of time going through it and following the study guide. You will do fine.

*Also if the Walgreen externship program does certify. How many hours a week do I have to dedicate to this externship? Because I am a full time student with 18 credits right now and I dont want to overwhelm myself. - They don't nationally certify you, but in some states you don't need national certification. You just need to "graduate" from a board approved program (which most chain stores offer). You will have to find out what the exact requirements are for your state.

I appreciate anyone replying to these questions. Also if you have any more advice regarding getting a pharm tech job/certification would be much appreciated!! - In my state you can simply send in a form and get your certification at home for a fee of $35.