Question about Pharmacy Techs!

[snowballs]

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Hi everyone! I'm new here and this is my first post!

I had a quick question about gaining a pharmacy technician license. I'm currently a second year student at UCSD, and my friend recently got her PharmD. She recommended that I try to get a pharmacy tech. license and also told me it would cost around $1000.

Do you guys have feedback on the situation? Should I get it before applying to schools? I'm just wondering because 1000 is ALOT for me, and for most people too, I guess.

Thanks! 😀

 

[Passion4Sci]

Hey!

I heartily suggest you use the Search fcn, as this has been gone over ad nauseum! It will only cost you $1,000 if you take a program, but you can get licensed w/o a program.

The program will help you get a job through internship/externship but TBH, the cost of the program and landing a job is not commensurate with the necessity. Once you're a P1 your intern license will supercede CphT forever, so it will have been wasted money, and pharmacy schools do not actively look for a CPhT unless they specify (So like UoP for example). If you're applying to schools that don't actively require a LoR from a Pharmacist OR desire pharmacy experience, having a job won't mean a lot (in terms of a job at a pharmacy).

That said, I got a job with just my license, sans any formal training program, and so have many people. Conversely, many folks have done expensive training programs and ended up without a job. I personally wouldn't, and didn't, spend my money on a pharm. tech. training program.

 

[Waffleguy]

Check out the Board of Pharmacy website for your state to see what they require. I also agree with the above poster that you shouldn't go through a training program.

 

[shachik]

Hello. I believe in Ca, you can just take the pharm tech test and get licensed. For me that is what I did, just studied the pharmacy tech study guide/book and took the test. I'm not quite sure about the training programs though so will leave that up to more knowledgeable people. Hope that helps

 

[princeB612]

not really. I think some pharmacists of older generation they doubt if you can really learn the techniques that u need for the job only from your study guide book. Like some of them always asked me "which school did you get your license from?"...or "you can get a license by only taking a test? wow"
so I guess taking a program is somehow recommended..

 

[Passion4Sci]

Yeah, because Pharmacy Tech. work is so awe-inspiringly difficult and challenging?

Seriously?

Tagging, bagging, and ringing up Rock Star sugar-laden drinks along with Insulin.

Yeah, I DEFINITELY need to spend $1000+ to learn how to do that.

 

[sugarxoxo]

I would not recommend going to a tech school for ptcb. If you want to do retail, it would be a complete waste of money. But it is a different story if you want to work in a hospital, it might be helpful. Anyway, don't waste your money. Lol

 

[phathead]

not really. I think some pharmacists of older generation they doubt if you can really learn the techniques that u need for the job only from your study guide book. Like some of them always asked me "which school did you get your license from?"...or "you can get a license by only taking a test? wow"
so I guess taking a program is somehow recommended..

I'd put the knowledge I've gathered from eight years of on the job training versus someone who went to Tech School... and I'll whoop their ass lol

 

[casual violence]

I'd put the knowledge I've gathered from eight years of on the job training versus someone who went to Tech School

I would too...

... and I'll whoop their ass lol

Thanks for "loling", but some of us have spent a thousand dollars or more to become a tech. So can someone please elaborate on how we've been scammed?

 

[Passion4Sci]

I got the same job you did without spending $1,000+ and the time on the program.

That's how you got scammed.

 

[slight365]

Pharm tech training and licensure outside of on the job is a scam.