Should I take PTCB exam?

[hello18]

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I recently just got accepted to pharmacy school for Fall 2008... I was scheduled to take the PTCB exam in December so that I could have a better chance at working in a pharmacy, however now that I'm accepted, do I still have to take the exam? Here are my thoughts, since I'm accepted, I can work as a pharmacy intern and not worry about the PTCB exam because that exam is more for pharmacy technicians and not interns. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks! 🙂

 

[rxliteguy]

I recently just got accepted to pharmacy school for Fall 2008... I was scheduled to take the PTCB exam in December so that I could have a better chance at working in a pharmacy, however now that I'm accepted, do I still have to take the exam? Here are my thoughts, since I'm accepted, I can work as a pharmacy intern and not worry about the PTCB exam because that exam is more for pharmacy technicians and not interns. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks! 🙂

can you get a refund? I say take the exam. It looks good on the resume. You can work as a tech up to the day you attend school. It's good experience before you go to pharmacy school.

 

[hello18]

can you get a refund? I say take the exam. It looks good on the resume. You can work as a tech up to the day you attend school. It's good experience before you go to pharmacy school.

Yeah I can get a refund... the only reason why I say I don't want to take it, is that it seems that I don't need it to work as a pharmacy intern...

 

[rxliteguy]

Yeah I can get a refund... the only reason why I say I don't want to take it, is that it seems that I don't need it to work as a pharmacy intern...

yeah, that's true. If you're poor and you want to save the $100+ fee, go ahead and do it. If $100+ is not a big deal, i say take the test, become certified, get the tech license, and work as a tech in a hospital, get lots of valuable tech experience doing IVs, sterile techniques, unit doses. Once you get into pharmacy school, it will be a breeze. Think of it has preparation for pharmacy school.

 

[labrat024]

I do not have any pharm experience. Most places won't hire me because I don't have any experience, making me a burden I suppose. How hard is this PTCB test and how much preparation is required. Having passed the test will definitely help to get a job eh?

 

[rxliteguy]

I do not have any pharm experience. Most places won't hire me because I don't have any experience, making me a burden I suppose. How hard is this PTCB test and how much preparation is required. Having passed the test will definitely help to get a job eh?

most tech jobs require a certificate or license. There is a shortage of techs so getting a license would certainly help you get a job, especially in retail. As for hospital techs, they want experience in sterile techniques, IVs, etcc...so getting an Advanced Pharmacy Technology Certificate or Associates' Degree in Pharmacy Technology would be a big plus.

The PTCE is mostly calculations(conversions), with some questions on trade/generics, drug cateogories, laws and policies.

 

[labrat024]

My friend that works for Walgreens said that they trained him to get his certification, would that be the PTCB exam? I suppose I could ask him but he is usually too busy because he is a second year pharm student. Is there any kind of book I cold get from the library and study myself? I am a good self-teacher, didn't learn much in class anyway, just reading the books myself.

 

[beancow]

Are you going to school right now? If not, I would probably just take the PTCB exam and work as a tech while waiting for school to start. If you're in school, I would just concentrate on getting the diploma.

 

[nerv12345]

go for it...at least you'll be making more money for 6 months until you go to pharmacy school. i guess a hundred bucks won't hurt considering you spent a couple of hundred (i'm assuming) on applications

 

[ngynththo]

I recently just got accepted to pharmacy school for Fall 2008... I was scheduled to take the PTCB exam in December so that I could have a better chance at working in a pharmacy, however now that I'm accepted, do I still have to take the exam? Here are my thoughts, since I'm accepted, I can work as a pharmacy intern and not worry about the PTCB exam because that exam is more for pharmacy technicians and not interns. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks! 🙂

I would take the test if I were you. It's very easy. I make 17+ bucks/hr with Pharm tech license, and gain pharmacy experience & love also.

 

[Ativan Stat]

Trust me take the test. It's an easy exam and I'm sure you'll pass it. Think about it, you can get paid as a technician until you start in fall 2008. Also, once you're in school you could also work, so in terms of competition you already have a license compared to those who don't. You don't have to be a clerk!

 

[BADD281]

Dang, there sure are a lot of threads about the PTCB exam...the new computer version brought a very flexible scheduling system, that has to be why everyone is taking it all of a sudden!

 

[kordjames]

If I am currently an junior in undergrad, would I be able to take this test? What should I do or get to prepare for this test and how long would it take to prepare? Do they offer classes to prep for this test?

 

[gtpederson]

If I am currently an junior in undergrad, would I be able to take this test? What should I do or get to prepare for this test and how long would it take to prepare? Do they offer classes to prep for this test?

You can take the test whenever it's next offered. Look at www.ptcb.org for more information.

As far as preparation: 5ml = 1 tsp, 30ml = 1 oz. There, that's about 70% of the test. $1500 please.

 

[kordjames]

Are you sure it is that easy to study for. I typed in PTCB preparation in Google. And a site with a few practice questions came up - http://www.testprepreview.com/ptcb_practice.htm

What are ways I can prepare for this test?

 

[homeskillet]

i suggest just getting any book and studying it. then go to borders, etc and pull out all their tech exam books and flip through them, and checking out the differences.

i found it pretty easy to study this way, and effective since youre getting info from multiple sources. good luck.

 

[kordjames]

I see some books with over 200-300 pgs. Is this test quick to study for like around 30hrs total without the time needed to take practice exams?

 

[Garfield3d]

Honestly, you don't really need the test unless you will be working as a pharmacy technician during your first year of pharmacy school. In Texas, you cannot obtain a Pharmacy Intern license until the end of your P1 year (though in some states, you can obtain a Pharmacy Intern license immediately upon pharmacy school acceptance). However, once you've completed your P1 year, you can sign up for a Pharmacy Intern license, and that will double as both a pharmacy intern license (kinda obvious) in addition to being a pharmacy technician license.

I suppose you could put it on your resume (although honestly, you might be better off listing extracurricular, volunteer work, and community involvement instead). Being licensed by the PTCB will only look good to stores looking to hire a pharmacy technician. For internships and residencies, actual experience (as measured by hours) will be what matters.

The PTCB test is, however, pretty easy, though I am skeptical of its worth to you. I would spend some time to look over procedures and legalities in a review book if you can. The drug names may be difficult but won't be a significant part of the exam. If you can do proportions and basic algebra, the math should be easy too.

--Garfield3d

 

[Calypso522]

I have a question similar to the original poster.... I've been accepted to pharmacy school in VA and I'm a VA resident working at CVS. I will need to take the tech exam by the end of July or I won't be able to work anymore, but I'll start pharm school in mid August. CVS does NOT pay for the state exam and it's like $85 (almost a full weeks pay for me). Can I register as an intern a month before I start pharm school? I really don't have the money to waste on a test that I'll only use for a month if I can get around it. In VA schools you start your intern time in your first semester. I don't know what to do... nobody at work knows if I can get around the fees. The raise for going from a pharm. cashier to a pharm tech is ony 15 cents, so I'd have to work somethign like 533 hours to make the raise pay for the test 😡

If it comes down to losing my job for a month, I'll probably just give up the weeks pay and beg family members for money. I just really don't want to do that after begging for application fees and downpayments for a spot. Why can't CVS just pay for the test.......🙁