Pharmacy Experience Questions!

[sooz1002]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Don't become a pharmacy tech at age 36. The pay is way too low for someone with actual monetary responsibility. If you've currently got a job that pays well, you can volunteer in your spare time! (This is NOT taking an "easy way out" as previously implied. It is being realistic.) I found a volunteer job at my local hospital where I got a chance to work with the pharmacy employees and ask the pharmacists questions about their jobs. It's harder to find volunteer experience in a retail pharmacy (unless you've got connections) because they require a license to stand behind the counter.

As for documentation (temper's question) most pharmacy schools require 2-3 letters of recommendation. You can ask for a letter from the pharmacist in support of your application, in addition to the letters from your professors. Mostly, pharmacy school apps give you a section to list your volunteer experience and ask you to write little essays about them. If you want to put it on your resume (like, to find a job?) you can put it under "volunteer experience" or "additional information" or "other experience."

Definitely volunteer, it'll give you more to talk about at pharm school interviews and show that you're really serious about becoming a pharmacist. Good luck!

 

[AntiviralsRule]

Awesome, thanks for the tips. I may try to get certified as a pharm tech anyway just to show some dedication and to give me flexibility re: volunteering or working in a pharmacy. I don't want to give up the decent salary I get in my job as editor if working as a pharm tech full-time isn't going to give me a big leg up on the competition.

Thanks again!

 

[ButlerPharm.D.]

To be honest, at the age of 36 you've got life experiences that many of us don't have, that on its own speaks volumes however it doesn't make up for lack of experience. I would recommend that you get some exposure to the field of pharmacy be it either as tech or as a volunteer. Depending on where you live you might want to consider volunteering in a hospital pharmacy or getting a job in a community pharmacy where you could work/volunteer every other weekend.

Also, one thing I'm sure that is going to come up in your interviews is going to be your reason for the career change-that would be something that I would start to formulate into a personal statement.

Best of luck!

 

[AntiviralsRule]

ButlerPharm: Good idea -- I'm working on formulating that response. Thanks for the tips! 🙂

 

[akamplace]

I started off shadowing in all aspects of pharmacy. (ex: retail, inpatient, outpatient, (hospital), compounding pharmacies, etc. ) just about all the settings. Now, for some of these like retail, i had to get cleared through the dm first and she had to make sure that i could come on a day that a particular pharmacist was in. It was very strict. but i did this so i can have a better idea of what i wanted to steer my specific pharmacy career path in.

I did have a lot of inside connections, that is how i got to shadow so much. Then I APPLIED to the hospital volunteer board in the pharmacy dept. I got selected for an interview and i got the position. it is only like 2-3 of us that work there. and i only volunteer like 2 times per week. but i like it and i learn alot, esp bec they have so many settings i can volunteer in every week.

most of the work i do is busy work but i enjoy learning from the pharmacists there and the techs. I wouldve applied to be an intern phrm for this summer but i have to work 20 hours per week, and i cant do that right now. 🙂

​

 

[OrganicPharmer1]

I think pharmacy schools just want you to get a feel for what it's like to work in a pharmacy and what a pharmacist does, so I think shadowing/volunteering is totally sufficient. You don't have to work tons of hours as a tech to learn about the profession of pharmacy. It's the quality of your work experience, not the quantity that pharmacy schools care about. They want to know what you have learned about the profession, not how many prescriptions you filled. A few hours a week should be more than enough. I had pretty much no pharmacy experience but I still got into pharmacy school. So, no need to go overboard on this. Good luck!

 

[OrganicPharmer1]

Btw, I forgot to mention that I would recommend calling volunteering offices at hospitals or medical centers. Some of them do take volunteers into their inpatient and/or outpatient pharmacies. It's a good way to experience different settings other than retail.

 

[AntiviralsRule]

Thx OrganicPharmer! 🙂

 

[busyizzy]

I talked to 3 different pharmacies about a possible internship or just working behind the counter to get a feel for the phramacy field. I told them I was a third year undergraduate student who was very interested in going to phramacy school, and if there were any opportunities for interning or working, and I have had absolutely no luck!

One of them tells me they only accept interns who are already in pharmacy school. The other one tells me that there is no opporunity except if you have your pharmacy license (or working in school) or if you're a pharmacy tech.

How do people get any pharmacy experience before actually getting accepted into phramacy school?? Is there a special trick or way of asking, or am I just living in the wrong area or what? (PA for school, MD for home during the summer) I really would like the opportunity to work in a pharmacy for a bit, simply for the experience but also because it would help my application. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[quique]

I talked to 3 different pharmacies about a possible internship or just working behind the counter to get a feel for the phramacy field. I told them I was a third year undergraduate student who was very interested in going to phramacy school, and if there were any opportunities for interning or working, and I have had absolutely no luck!

One of them tells me they only accept interns who are already in pharmacy school. The other one tells me that there is no opporunity except if you have your pharmacy license (or working in school) or if you're a pharmacy tech.

How do people get any pharmacy experience before actually getting accepted into phramacy school?? Is there a special trick or way of asking, or am I just living in the wrong area or what? (PA for school, MD for home during the summer) I really would like the opportunity to work in a pharmacy for a bit, simply for the experience but also because it would help my application. Any ideas? Thanks!

Just like any other job, it's a numbers game. I was in the same position about a year ago and I visited at least 10 different pharmacies, and received only one offer as a pharmacy clerk.

To improve your chances, try finding a position in a busy pharmacy (e.g. 24 hour pharmacies) and speak directly with the pharmacy manager. You might also want to try volunteering at a local hospital at the inpatient or outpatient pharmacy. I know that the Veteran's Affairs hospitals are also looking for new volunteers and sometimes they allow you to perform tech duties (although limited) without having a license!

 

[binghamkid]

Another good way to start off is just to email your local/state pharmacist association. They usually have a directory of in-state pharmacists. It doesn't hurt to fire off a dozen emails and see if a pharmacist will set some time aside to show you around. It's easier to first ask them if you can shadow them to get some experience. Internships in a pharmacy field tends to be a more formal position requiring a license. On the other hand, if you just ask them to show you around, they'll probably be more receptive.

 

[andrewattheU]

my best advice is contact a hospital and ask if you can volunteer in a pharmacy since hospitals are always looking for volunteers, from my experience they will want you to take an aids class to be a pharmacy assistant (This applies to Washington State, but it might be different for other states)

 

[jmkraus]

first off you need to go to all of the retail stores (walgreens, cvs, wal-mart, publix, etc.) and fill out an application on their computers. When I went in to inquire about work and they just directed me to the application computer and told me that regardless of whether they were looking to hire, i had to have my application on file before anything could be done. The good thing about the computer applications is that when you apply at one wal-mart or wherever, your application goes on file for all of the wal-marts in the district.

After that you should prepare a copy of your resume and a cover letter that explains how you are a pre pharmacy student and are extremely interested in pursuing pharmacy experience blah blah blah. Then bring this to every individual pharmacy you would consider working in. Like the others said, try to speak directly with the pharmacist or pharmacy manager when you go, and leave it with a technician if the pharmacist isnt available.

If you dont hear anything after a week, call the pharmacy back and remind them who you are and that you are interested.

I did this over spring break hoping to get a job set up for the summer. I drove to 10 or 15 pharmacies in town dropping off my paperwork. things werent looking well until finally i got lucky with one of the walgreens in the area. the pharmacist wasnt there so i left it with a technician, and I got called in for an interview before I could drive to the next closest store. The manager asked me to come back right then, talked to me for 5 minutes, and offered me the job on the spot.

There are so many pharmacies around that if you go to them all, hopefully you'll find one that will hire you. good luck!

 

[annievu]

for me, i looked up the local pharmacy (big/small) stores in my areas on yahoo Search engine...then they have the phone numbers listed and all i had to do was to make phone calls...about 20 calls at least...like your situation, i am also an undergrad and they also told me the same thing they told you...but i didn't give up and i also made resume and went to about 4-5 places to drop off my resumes...then luckily, one small pharmacy store accepted me after i dropped one of my resumes...i've also tried to get volunteer experience at hospitals long time ago but it never worked for me...they never got a spot available, but it wont hurt to try.

 

[Farmercyst]

I talked to 3 different pharmacies about a possible internship or just working behind the counter to get a feel for the phramacy field. I told them I was a third year undergraduate student who was very interested in going to phramacy school, and if there were any opportunities for interning or working, and I have had absolutely no luck!

One of them tells me they only accept interns who are already in pharmacy school. The other one tells me that there is no opporunity except if you have your pharmacy license (or working in school) or if you're a pharmacy tech.

How do people get any pharmacy experience before actually getting accepted into phramacy school?? Is there a special trick or way of asking, or am I just living in the wrong area or what? (PA for school, MD for home during the summer) I really would like the opportunity to work in a pharmacy for a bit, simply for the experience but also because it would help my application. Any ideas? Thanks!

One other issue may have been your phrasing. Intern pharmacist is a special classification given to pharmacy students or recent grads who have yet to pass state exams+Naplex. The Intern license allows them to act in the duties of a pharmacist while under the direct supervision of an RPh. If you ask to intern, apply as an intern, or work as an intern this will be their first thought. When you say you're an undergrad, they may think you haven't done enough research to get the right words. I can't say that it the outcome would have been different if you'd asked to clerk, volunteer, or tech for them (some states don't require license for techs, some do), but you may have at least been given a little more of their time, or directed to the application/computer.

 

[aboveliquidice]

This has been mentioned already - but volunteering in a hospital was very easy to accomplish. They already have a volunteer office setup - all you have to do is go in and volunteer.

They ended up giving me a great volunteer time (on my terms) - free lunch every time I volunteered - and because of my volunteer work, I was able to make enough of an impression to be hired on without any real experience.

~above~

 

[andrewattheU]

ya i can't wait for the summer as I get to start volunteering in the hospital near my house. The pharmacist I talked to (know through my neighbor who works with him) told me they had several people volunteer in the pharmacy there and that they are glad to get more people as they are always busy. So you should be able to get experience at a hospital without too much problem

 

[UMichFinn]

I'm not sure what your job as an editor entails, but it would also be helpful to work for a pharmaceutical company doing research, sales, scientific writing, etc. if you don't want to take a major pay cut.

I've never worked in a pharmacy or shadowed a pharmacist but I've done research for the past three years and had other health care experience...that was enough to get me in.

 

[Knickerbocker]

I really wanted to volunteer at my hospital pharmacy, but they said that they weren't taking anybody.

What should I do now? It sort of feels like maybe I should try the smaller mom and pop pharmacies that are around. Would the big chains or grocery store pharmacies be worthwhile?

 

[shikamaru]

I really wanted to volunteer at my hospital pharmacy, but they said that they weren't taking anybody.

What should I do now? It sort of feels like maybe I should try the smaller mom and pop pharmacies that are around. Would the big chains or grocery store pharmacies be worthwhile?

I was in the same boat as you a long while ago. My best advice is to keep asking around. I ended up walking in every single pharmacy in both my home city and college city, and I talked to the pharmacy managers whenever I could. Most will be unhelpful and tell you to just go sign up at your local hospital, but if you meet enough pharmacists, there is bound to be at least one to actually give you a number to call. I live in CA, and it took me two months worth of active seeking before I finally got my foot in the door.

 

[AMO69657]

I'm trying to get some pharm experience also right now. I called about 10 pharmacies (big and small chains), only 2 called back to tell me how to apply and they put my name down for when positions open up. No luck so far, just have to wait 🙁 I'm sure we'll find a position sooner or later, Good luck.

 

[busyizzy]

I'd suggest at least volunteering at the hospital, even if it's not pharmacy. The schools understand it's hard to get pharmacy experience sometimes, and anytype of health care experience shows you at least have interest to pursue it. You might even get close to some of the pharmacists at the hospital that way!

Barring that, you could continue to call and ask pharmacies. At least during the waittime of waiting for pharmacies and calling around, you'll actually be doing something somewhat productive.

 

[CaliRx]

I have a related question: Is it a good idea to list the total amount of hours I have volunteered at a pharmacy? I have volunteered for about two years but on average I worked 3 hours every other week. The total number of hours don't seem as much as two years. So should it be left out? (the total hours add to be about 80)

 

[Cju101]

h

 

[Omegadramon]

Goodness....this topic has my life written by other people.....
q

 

[binghamkid]

I am in the same boat as you. I want to gain experience, I dont really care about money at this point, but a lot of people ive talked to have never heard about volunteering in a pharmacy. If you are thinking about big chains or grocery stores you can check online to see if there are any openings in the pharmacy as a tech/clerk/aide. If you cant find anything, go into the pharmacy and ask, because they do not always post their openings online and even if they are not hiring they might not be adverse to hiring. I dont think it is the norm for big chains to take volunteers (correct me if im wrong guys) but you may get lucky. Also, leave your resume and present yourself well (wear nice clothes and such) and definately look into the "mom and pop" pharmacies, they would probably be more apt to let you volunteer there. Stress that you want to gain experience rather than wanting a job (cause experience is what matters, to me anyway) and that might help your chances. I think a lot of what i said has been said on these forums before

It is tough getting in to pharmacy as a volunteer, and also as a tech (uncertified) these days so up your chances by trying a lot of places.

A lot of the big chains do the online application thing, which I hate, because they cant connect the face to the application, so if you do fill out an online app, make sure to go in and leave your resume as well, it cant hurt.

i applied at most places for a technician position, however I am uncertified and have no experience so it will be tough for me to get a job like that, I have turned to the smaller pharmacies and have been calling/emailing and going in and talking to the pharmacists, I think I have found a spot at a smaller pharmacy for volunteer work.

To be honest I think it is mostly a matter of luck nabbing a spot. Thus concludes my novel.

If you just want experience, just ask them for a few hours of their time (off-shift). I had no problems asking pharmacists if they wouldn't mind answering a few questions about their profession. Once they see that you're truly interested, and that you just want some experience seeing what it's like, you're more likely to get your foot through the door.

 

[StringTheorist]

i got experience by working at a retail chain store pharmacy for 2.5 years. all you have to do is not even ask if they are hiring, just ask for the application and fill it out and turn it in, expressing why you want the job. maybe you will make such an impact, they will want to help you out in some way, even if it is just shadowing.

 

[xshooshix]

I have a related question: Is it a good idea to list the total amount of hours I have volunteered at a pharmacy? I have volunteered for about two years but on average I worked 3 hours every other week. The total number of hours don't seem as much as two years. So should it be left out? (the total hours add to be about 80)

I have a simliar question, but the other way around. Is it a good idea about the amount of years you spent, versus the amount of hours you put in? I have about 55 hours after about a month volunteering at the pharmacy...

 

[binghamkid]

I have a simliar question, but the other way around. Is it a good idea about the amount of years you spent, versus the amount of hours you put in? I have about 55 hours after about a month volunteering at the pharmacy...

You really don't have to worry about that. 55 hours is more than enough volunteer time. I usually do everything by years only because the rest of my application was done in years, but if you have someone who can certify the # of hours you have volunteered (and if it's substantial), then feel confident in your experience. Remember, it's not how many hours you've spent in your experience, but what you've gained and taken away from it. That's what the adcoms are interested in.

 

[Ghettocowboy23]

Walk to any nearby hospital, go to the volunteer office and all you have to say is "I want to volunteer"

Very simple

 

[firstgeneration]

I was wondering for those that have taken the pharmacy tech certification test, passed and are certified, what study guides would recommended. I have been volunteering as at a pharmacy and hope to get myself certified so that I can be more familiar with the the pharmacy areas??? any suggestions, would be appreciated.😛

 

[Farmercyst]

I was wondering for those that have taken the pharmacy tech certification test, passed and are certified, what study guides would recommended. I have been volunteering as at a pharmacy and hope to get myself certified so that I can be more familiar with the the pharmacy areas??? any suggestions, would be appreciated.😛

The first part is addressed in the Licensure/Exams forum. Check any of the many PTCE/PTCB threads for study guide names/links, etc.

I'll leave this thread here for suggestions on the pharmacy experience though since it matches the name of the thread.

 

[Ghettocowboy23]

go to amazon.com and browse for technician book, I studied from the book bought on amazon. forgot which one since I took the test 4-5 yrs ago and gave away the book after I took it. What you really need to do is to focus on the calculation, 70% of the test is calculation. Good luck

 

[firstgeneration]

go to amazon.com and browse for technician book, I studied from the book bought on amazon. forgot which one since I took the test 4-5 yrs ago and gave away the book after I took it. What you really need to do is to focus on the calculation, 70% of the test is calculation. Good luck

Thanks for the input. Were the calculations more general math or more calculus based??just curious??

 

[kidlove]

Thanks for the input. Were the calculations more general math or more calculus based??just curious??

It's just algebra 🙂

 

[Madnezz]

It's mostly elementary algebra. The book I reccommend is Pharmacy Technician EXAM from Manan H. Schroff, R.Ph.

You'll go crazy trying to memorize all the drugs so try to focus on the ones the test focuses on as well as the ones that cause adverse effects.

 

[Knickerbocker]

I'm going to start seeking now so that I have something to list when I apply for the 2008 school year.

However, whatever experience I get obviously won't be the 5+ years so many on here seem to have. I also won't have a the technician license.

If I had a great GPA and PCAT, would I have any chance to get into somewhere like UT Austin?

 

[eelo]

I'm going to start seeking now so that I have something to list when I apply for the 2008 school year.

However, whatever experience I get obviously won't be the 5+ years so many on here seem to have. I also won't have a the technician license.

If I had a great GPA and PCAT, would I have any chance to get into somewhere like UT Austin?

I can't speak for UT/Austin regarding your application, but I'd offer this to you:

This is a very, very good forum for questions, answers, advice, encouragement, etc. That being said, the number of posters on here is very, very small compared to the number of applicants and acceptees. Also, I believe that the people who find their way here are the ones who are a little ahead of the curve, so the statistics you're reading here are much more likely to be skewed (and maybe even a little...... ummmm..... 'embellished').

A person who's got 5+ years pharmacy experience may have shortcomings in other areas, especially if it's been a while since they've been out of school. If that was their full-time job while they were supporting a household, they might have been a little short on time for volunteer experience, for example.

If you go to work for a pharmacy now, they can train you and you can even get a tech license by Fall 2008. you'll have a year of experience under your belt by then, and you'll be able to balance that out with anything else you may have. There are regular posters in here who got into school with NO pharmacy experience, and there are some who have 5+ years of experience but didn't get into school because of other factors. The experience is just one of several factors.

And DON'T think that SDN, as good as it is, is representative of all applicants. You'll make yourself crazy trying to keep up with the 4.0 GPA/5 years in the Peace Corps/donated both kidneys to benefit hurrican Katrina victims crowd.

Best of luck to you. ;-)

 

[Hels2007]

It helps, because it shows that you know what pharmacy is about, but it's not the main factor. I think, if you can show in your personal statement and especially in your interview that you know what pharmacists do, and why you want to be a pharmacist, this shouldn't hurt you.

 

[evilolive]

It's not crucial if you know what you're talking about and can convey that point.

 

[Asrai]

I had zero pharmacy experience, and got accepted. They don't care so much that you do not have pharmacy experience if you have proven yourself in other areas (GPA, PCAT, job experience (any), volunteer experience, etc.)

 

[omnione]

I had an average GPA, great PCAT scores, but zero pharmacy experience. I did have ample volunteering in healthcare settings and I worked in a research lab. Once the interviewers heard my story, I guess they felt that I knew enough about the profession.

That's really why experience is even a factor. Pharmacy schools want to know that you know what the heck pharmacy is and extensive experience in a pharmacy shows that without debate. If you don't have experience before the interview, you just have to be prepared and know pharmacy well enough to show that you aren't applying because pharmacy "sounds cool".

 

[bumbleboo12]

I worked in a pharmacy when I was 16. I was a cashier, however I also stocked perscriptions and worked directly below the pharmacy. I did this for over a year. DO you think this would be relevant to bring up on my application? Thank you.

 

[Rumplestiltazepam]

I worked in a pharmacy when I was 16. I was a cashier, however I also stocked perscriptions and worked directly below the pharmacy. I did this for over a year. DO you think this would be relevant to bring up on my application? Thank you.

Sure! You could tie it into your Personal Statement as well. Maybe that was the time in your life when you first started considering pharmacy as a career path for yourself. That was the first time you saw what a pharmacist really does all day, you were able to see how a pharmacist can make a big impact in the patient's health and safety. Maybe it was just a job for you, either way I would at least list it as job experience, putting it in your Personal Statement isup to you.

Good Luck!

 

[AntiviralsRule]

Absolutely. But hopefully you have more recent pharmacy experience to talk about as well?

 

[Rattlergirl53]

I hear a lot of you saying that you've been techs for a couple years and worked here and there. But I'm only 19, 1 year out of high school. I don't have pharmacy experience because all of my school years and summers since graduating have been taking classes trying to get in to pharmacy school. Is it required to get into pharmacy school.

 

[piyi]

I don't believe it is required for most schools, but it does look really good if you have some sort of pharmacy experience; either working or volunteering in one. Besides looking good on your application, I find it is also an invaluable way of knowing whether or not you will actually like to work in a pharmacy. Wouldn't that just suck to go through all that schooling to find out that you really cannot stand to go to work everyday? You can say to yourself--oh, but the money will make up for it. But I know a few pharmacists that really hate their job. They're miserable just about every day, and I don't see how a pharmacist's salary can make up for that.

 

[Hels2007]

It is not required, but it helps to show that your interest in pharmacy is sincere. It also helps you to get an understanding what pharmacy is all about, so you can give intelligent answers during the interview. If you aren't quite sure that pharmacy is what you really want to do, some work experience would help you figure that out.

There is certainly no reason why you couldn't work in a pharmacy or volunteer in a hospital for 5-10 hours a week during school, plenty of people do that. If for whatever reason that seems too hard to you, you can always job shadow for a couple weekends or something. Every little bit helps.

Still, there have been plenty of people who have never set their foot in a pharmacy until their clinical rotations... all I can say, those people were at a definite disadvantage. They had a much steeper learning curve, and they were often a subject of behind-the-back snickering and exasperated remarks from pharmacists and techs at the sites they were rotating.

 

[PharmDstudent]

Here are some things you may not have thought of:
1. How do you answer the essay question, "Why do you want to be a pharmacist?", etc. if you have no experience😕
2. Your vacation time is directly correlated with how long you have been with certain companies. If you start working for a company you really enjoy, then you will be rewarded for your time served with the company.
3. Pharmacy interns who have a tech license, depends on the state, are usually preferred over interns with no experience. This will come in handy when you need to get practical experience to fulfill your Board of Pharmacy requirements, because you are more likely to get hired if you have prior experience.
4. When you start pharmacy school, do you really want to be a working as a cashier instead of an intern just because you don't have experience?

 

[PharmDstudent]

One more thing that I forgot to mention, if you want to sign-on with a company, your sign-on bonus will be better if you've worked for that company for a significant amount of time. So if you show the company your loyalty (continuous time served), you should get a better bonus.