Will Walgreens Still Hire Me?

[Pills4life]

I would like to know if walgreens would hire someone as a pharm tech that has no previous pharmacy knowledge/experience? I'm beginin a pharm tech program in January but I was hoping to begin working as a pharm tech now. Their website says they offer pharm tech training but I wasn't sure if that meant they'd train anyone. What are the requirements to be hired as a pharm tech at Walgreens?

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[pharm B]

They can hire someone who has no experience and then later pay for you to take your CPhT exam. Out of curiosity, how much are you paying for your prep program?

 

[CodeName]

Hi Pills, I'm a tech at walgreens, I applied with only a Pharmacy assistant license. Walgreens has their own school that they will send you to. Its usually every other saturday whenever they begin the new class. I would not recommend spending your own money on a course. Walgreens will take care of you. Depends what state your in as well as each state has different requirements for tech licensing.

 

[Prepharm1214]

Of course they will hire someone with no tech experience...everyone has to start somewhere. I've seen them hire a tech who didn't even finish high school. Not meant to be taken as a slam for the company, other chains have as well I'm sure.

 

[phathead]

I have 8+ years of experience in four states, been certified in 5 years, have advanced training in 6 different areas and have worked as a pharmacy consultant, yet still cannot get a job there.

I swear, that place is amazingly perplexing.

 

[Passion4Sci]

They might hire you if they need a tech and no one else is applying.

We're still in a recession, so I don't know if that'll happen.

 

[Jahanet]

Hi there. I am currently a senior tech at Walgreens .. they cannot pay you at tech rate if you dont have a licenese. You can try to apply to the busy 24 hour stores at a pharmacy clerk/cashier. In my area they have about 4 sessions per year where they send people who are interested into training classes and teach you the stuff to prepare yourself to take the exams for the tech. HOpe this helps !!

 

[Pills4life]

Thnks for your input!

The program I'll be starting in January is close to $1,000. That's the cheapest I've heard of in Michigan. I have absolutely no pharm background but I want to begin working as a pharm tech and Walgreens seems like the best choice. Guess it won't hurt to apply and see what happens.

 

[Pills4life]

yeah its a 24hr store. besides having no pharmacy background, i do have exp as a cashier so maybe that'll help me get in?

 

[pharm B]

Can't hurt.

 

[docss26]

I am actually curious about this too. I have about 5 years experience at an independent pharmacy. I wonder if it would be smart to get a job at walgreens or another chain before pharmacy? Will they be more inclined to hire me after graduating pharmacy school. My employer only required a license, no certification. I was planning on studying for the CPhT over my break before P1 year and attempt to get my foot in the door. What do you all think?

 

[King2440]

Sr. Tech at Walgreens here..

My advice, apply, get the emai to the district sr. tech or district Pharm Manager, and contact them and tell them what's going on. Set up an interview and you'll get hired i'm sure. I started with just my PTCB prelimanary Trainee certificate. Don't pay $1000, its a waste of money. Just learn on the job and you'll be fine.

I've trained some idiots who shouldnt of step foot in the pharmacy. If they can be there, I think anyone can.

Good luck!

 

[Pills4life]

where can i find their email address?

 

[pharm B]

You can probably just call the pharmacy and ask.

 

[Pills4life]

ok thanks

 

[Pills4life]

Sr. Tech at Walgreens here..

My advice, apply, get the emai to the district sr. tech or district Pharm Manager, and contact them and tell them what's going on. Set up an interview and you'll get hired i'm sure. I started with just my PTCB prelimanary Trainee certificate. Don't pay $1000, its a waste of money. Just learn on the job and you'll be fine.

I've trained some idiots who shouldnt of step foot in the pharmacy. If they can be there, I think anyone can.

Good luck!

Wow and i thought the $1000 was a great deal because i know ppl who enrolled in programs costing up to $18,000

 

[Pills4life]

i applied online for the pharm tech position and now i need to go into the store for the assessment. what can i expect to be on there? how should i prepare for it?

 

[chris1987]

I didn't know people went to school to become a pharmacy tech. Why would someone spend a penny on a job they will start at 9 or 10 dollars a hour? Maybe hourly pay differs in states. You do not need schooling to be a Pharmacy Technician. I work at a walgreens pharmacy and got certified all by myself without any schooling or classes. Walgreens did give me a book though and that helped for the math part but I learned everything on the job that I needed to pass the exam by paying attention to stuff while i worked.

 

[Pills4life]

there are lots of people going to school for it here in michigan. so many training schools opening up and people are running to them

 

[pharm B]

i applied online for the pharm tech position and now i need to go into the store for the assessment. what can i expect to be on there? how should i prepare for it?

I think it asks questions similar to what you would see on the PTCE. Generics, calculations, etc.

As far as taking a course goes: Evaluate the pros and cons for yourself.

The local trade school has commercials on right now advertising their pharmacy tech program. Get certified for only $10000!!!

It's a bargain!

 

[phathead]

I think it asks questions similar to what you would see on the PTCE. Generics, calculations, etc.

As far as taking a course goes: Evaluate the pros and cons for yourself.

The local trade school has commercials on right now advertising their pharmacy tech program. Get certified for only $10000!!!

It's a bargain!

You know the guy who first thought up those tech schools has to be makin just a ton of money. I mean props to him thinkin of the idea, but jeez.

can we just put a disclaimer up on the forums stating that you do not need to go to tech school?

 

[pharm B]

In all fairness, some people do get something out of it.

But for most pre-pharm students, I do think it's a waste time. If you're going to spend anywhere close to 10 grand on a training program, you won't make your money back before you enter pharmacy school.

 

[Passion4Sci]

For a student, I can see it being useful if you really, really need employment to bolster your application, like if the rest of your app. is pretty vanilla and you just need something. Then you can't risk being turned down for "not enough experience" because you'll have an internship/externship provided to you by the course (At least you SHOULD). That'll alleviate the "6 mos. min. exp. needed" you see on a lot of technician job hiring.

But, for 9/10 of us, Pharm B is right.

 

[Jahanet]

yeah its a 24hr store. besides having no pharmacy background, i do have exp as a cashier so maybe that'll help me get in?

Well depends on the pharmacy manager I guess.. My first time in the pharmacy was as a cashier/clerk at 24 hours CVS. I told the manager i was in school at the time and was interested in going to pharmacy. He was ok with it and taught me from scratch.