Skills prior to job as Pharmacy Technician

[88888888]

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Hi,

I'm beginning to look for pharmacy technician jobs now, and I have some questions. I'm certified and licensed.

1. What skills should I brush up before applying/taking job. Am I expected to memorize all the common drugs? Memorize all the pharmacy laws and dilution conversions from the PTCB Exam? I took it over 2 years ago, I'll have to refresh on some stuff. Or will they put me through training, and I'll be able to learn everything during training?


2. Where do you recommend working? There is Walgreen, Albertson, Target, Costco, Walmart, CVS, Stater Bros.. all within 5 minute driving distance. Should I just apply to them all and see where it goes?


3. Any other recommendations on getting a job.

4. I don't have much pharmacy experience besides volunteering at a independent pharmacy, would it be difficult to get a Pharmacy Technician job at a hospital?

Thanks!

 

[drdoze]

First off I have been a tech for 4 years now half at an independent pharmacy and other have currently at a big name pharmacy no hospital experience.

1. Really the only skills that will help you the most at an outpatient pharmacy is brand/generic names, and usual drug dosing and frequency (antibiotics, pain meds, thyroid, etc.) but that will also come over time. And lastly you most likely spend a lot of time on the phone with insurances/ dr offices so get use to hold music.
- edit- also for laws know the general guidelines for your state on controls, some will fight you every month when you tell them it's to soon 80% isn't for so many more days so get good at figuring that

2. Might as well apply to them all and see what each one will offer ( hours, pay, breaks. I work two 12 hour shifts with maybe 10 minutes to sit down to eat lunch gets hard after few months) I have also heard Costco pays well but is hard to get hired. Most start out as front end cashiers then move to the pharmacy, I could be wrong but heard that from several techs.

4. Around here it is hard to get into an inpatient hospital pharmacy unless you have experience in one. Maybe look at starting in an outpatient then move to inpatient.

 

[dancingallday]

1. I wouldn't worry too much about trying to memorize drug names or anything like that before you get started. If you live in a state with no particular training requirement for pharmacy technicians, the employers will probably be used to hiring newbies with no pharmacy-related knowledge and train you as such. A lot of the brand/generic, days supply, sig codes, and other day-to-day things you'll use, you'll pick up as you go.

2. Apply everywhere. Seriously. Sometimes it's very difficult to get an "in" for a technician job (which always surprised me, seeing as with retail pharmacy it's a low pay/high turnover position.) You'll want to cover every possible opportunity for yourself. That being said, if you somehow end up with more than one comparable job offer and you need a "tie breaker", I've heard that Target and Costco are better than average for pharmacy work conditions. CVS is undoubtedly the worst; if it's all you can get, definitely take it since it'll help you move on to bigger and better things, but if you get another offer I'd look in that direction instead.


3. Visit the pharmacies where you apply. Dress nice, go in during a not-too-busy time of day such as before 9 AM, and ask to speak to the pharmacy manager. Explain to them that you are a pre-pharmacy student looking to gain experience prior to applying for pharmacy school, and that you'd be interested in working for them as a technician part-time or full-time, whatever they need. Be pleasant and courteous; follow up but don't badger them.


4. I work in a hospital pharmacy right now. We pretty much don't hire anyone who hasn't had some sort of prior pharmacy experience or hasn't gone through the extensive training programs now required by our state for registration as a pharmacy technician (and even that I think is dubious; we've hired several people who've made it through the training programs and still haven't been able to handle our workflow.) You'll have a very tough time getting in at a hospital with only volunteering under your belt, so I'd suggest working the retail side of things first.


Best of luck to you.

 

[Rockinacoustic]

The number one skill you can have in a retail setting as a technician is customer service and a thick skin. People don't come to the pharmacy because they want to. They either have been diagnosed with a sickness/disease or are refilling medications they need to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and you are expected to provide that service. Show empathy, go the extra mile to resolve any issues, and patients will appreciate your work.

Another thing is DO NOT GUESS OR ASSUME things. I'd much rather have a new tech ask me fifty questions in a day than make 5 mistakes because they felt too intimidated to ask myself or the pharmacist.

As for material to brush up on. I guess you could study the top 100 drugs, but honestly that will just come with repetition from work. Patient's will often ask for their medications by indication (i.e. my blood pressure pill), not brand/generic name.

As for places to work- in this market you cannot be picky. Wherever you can get your foot in the door, kick it through. Hiring managers like to see flexibility (they won't hire you if you can only work summers, winters), personal drive (you want to be a pharmacist), and prior work experience (if not pharmacy, at least a customer service oriented job). Don't just apply online and drop a phone call, show up to the store at a slow hour and ask to speak with the pharmacy manager.

Good Luck!

 

[NickW9682]

I worked as a clerk in retail as an undergrad...got licensed as a tech and applied multiple times to multiple hospitals. Finally got the job at a hospital and I can definitely say that compared to retail is infinitely better. You will learn so much more (compounding, ivs, and even making chemo). Plus it pays better 🙂

 

[88888888]

Thanks sound good. Otk apply to all

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[88888888]

I got a job offer at CVS at 11 an hour no experience. I tentatively accepted but I have an interview for Walgreens in two days. Should I still go to the interview?

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[xtsukiyox]

Why not? I was told once: never turn down an interview. If nothing else, it is good practice.

 

[88888888]

Indeed i was planning to go anyways.
Excited.

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[AlPacino]

I got a job offer at CVS at 11 an hour no experience. I tentatively accepted but I have an interview for Walgreens in two days. Should I still go to the interview?

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CVS starting pay for technicians is 11 an hour now?

 

[88888888]

CVS starting pay for technicians is 11 an hour now?

I guess so, I'm in southern california.

 

[AlPacino]

I guess so, I'm in southern california.

Ok nvm then. Im in Florida and when I got hired, they started me out at $7

 

[rxlea]

Ok nvm then. Im in Florida and when I got hired, they started me out at $7

Isn't that below minimum wage?

 

[88888888]

Minimum wage in Florida is 7.67, I'm guessing he/she got hired before it was increased.. haha

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[AlPacino]

Isn't that below minimum wage?

This was back in 2005

 

[KitKhains]

I got a job offer at CVS at 11 an hour no experience. I tentatively accepted but I have an interview for Walgreens in two days. Should I still go to the interview?

CVS seems like a good company. I'm a pharmacy student going through a 1 year online program for a tech position, it's not as an intense schooling as it would be through a traditional university but they seemed thrilled that I had that little bit of knowledge. The interview process was LONG for me though, three interviews, drug screening, training classes before you can even step in the store to work, but it is thorough and CVS seems really willing to work with you once they hire you. I would say compare the people that hire you, the rates, hours they are willing to give you, and go with your gut.