Schedule for Pre-Pharm students

[Vicky1106]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

hi, I'm a pre-pharm student here. Does anyone know of a schedule or a timetable for pre-pharm student that includes things like, what I should do in the summer to help me prepare for getting in pharm. school, when should I take the PCAT, how many years should I use to take pre-req. courses, when should I be searching for pharm. school or programs, when/what should I do this or that, things like that.
I want to get into pharmacy, and the only info. i know are that you have to take the PCAT, take some require courses, other than that, I'm clueless as to what I should be doing, so any help or suggestions please?
Thanks.
Also, can pre-pharm students work before they get in pharmacy school? as in internship or just a job? while looking around the site, I found that some pre-pharm students work as technician, is that possible? what are the steps toward working as a pharmacy technician?

 

[PharmDY]

The majority of the questions in your first paragraph could be answered by a health counselor/advisor at your college/university.

As for the second part, any high school grad can be a pharm tech, as long as you pass the PTCB exam or pass a cert program (the latter will cost you anywhere from $1500 to $15,000). For the PTCB exam you'll want to study off of a review book. You can register for the exam at ptcb.org. You can also just apply as a pharmacy clerk/cashier at a local retail store so you can be familiar with the pharmacy and become acquainted with a pharmacist, whom will most likely be the one to provide you with a letter of recommendation when the time comes for you to apply to pharmacy school. You don't need experience at all for a clerk/cashier job. As for PCAT, I believe the majority of pharmacy schools want it to be within 5 yrs recent of applying to the school.

Good luck!

 

[Farmercyst]

hi, I'm a pre-pharm student here. Does anyone know of a schedule or a timetable for pre-pharm student that includes things like, what I should do in the summer to help me prepare for getting in pharm. school, when should I take the PCAT, how many years should I use to take pre-req. courses, when should I be searching for pharm. school or programs, when/what should I do this or that, things like that.
I want to get into pharmacy, and the only info. i know are that you have to take the PCAT, take some require courses, other than that, I'm clueless as to what I should be doing, so any help or suggestions please?
Thanks.
Also, can pre-pharm students work before they get in pharmacy school? as in internship or just a job? while looking around the site, I found that some pre-pharm students work as technician, is that possible? what are the steps toward working as a pharmacy technician?

No schedule is good for everyone. Most schools with a good pre-health department will either have, or have easy access to, pre-pharm requirements for at least some pharmacy schools. It'll be up to you to find out where you're most interested in attending, what the pre-reqs are, and when your school(s) offer those classes. The PCAT can be taken at any time, but it's suggested to take after you've had at least your 1st semester of Ochem. (The PCAT forum would have better info on that) If you're interested enough to apply, you should be interested enough to find this information on your own. If you're not willing to do the legwork, you're not interested enough yet. I mean no offense by that, but if you plan on spending 2+/- years of your life fulfilling prereqs, taking tests, etc you need to be willing to put enough effort into making sure you're not wasting your time.

 

[rxgrl08]

You do not have to take the PTCB exam to be a pharmacy technician. To be certified (and make more) you need to pass the exam. I became a pharmacy technician at age 17 while still in high school.

 

[Farmercyst]

You do not have to take the PTCB exam to be a pharmacy technician. To be certified (and make more) you need to pass the exam. I became a pharmacy technician at age 17 while still in high school.

This varies by state. Passing the exam is the easiest way to become a Pharm tech in Cali.
http://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/licensing/index.htm#tch_faqs
"California law now requires that an applicant for a pharmacy technician permit must meet one of the following criteria:

1. Have obtained an associate of arts degree in pharmacy technology.
2. Have completed a course of training specified by the board (typically provided by employers under requirements of California Code of Regulations Section 1793.6 (provided below)).
3. Have graduated from a school of pharmacy approved by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education or recognized by the board.
4. Be certified by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.

California Code of Regulations section 1793.6 describes the training courses acceptable to the board (item 2 above). This training is:
1. Any pharmacy technician training program accredited by the American Society of Health--System Pharmacists,

2. Any pharmacy technician training program provided by a branch of the federal armed services for which the applicant possesses a certificate of completion, or
3. Any other course that provides a training period of at least 240 hours of theoretical and practical instruction, provided that at least 120 of these hours are in theoretical instruction in a curriculum that provides:
a. Knowledge and understanding of different pharmacy practice settings.
b. Knowledge and understanding of the duties and responsibilities of a pharmacy technician in relationship to other pharmacy personnel and knowledge of standards and ethics, laws and regulations governing the practice of pharmacy.
c.
Knowledge and ability to identify and employ pharmaceutical and medical terms, abbreviations and symbols commonly used in prescribing, dispensing and record keeping of medications.
d. Knowledge of and the ability to carry out calculations required for common dosage determination, employing both the metric and apothecary systems.
e. Knowledge and understanding of the identification of drugs, drug dosages, routes of administration, dosage forms and storage requirements.
f. Knowledge of and ability to perform the manipulative and record-keeping functions involved in and related to dispensing prescriptions.
g. Knowledge of and ability to perform procedures and techniques relating to manufacturing, packaging, and labeling of drug products