Worth getting Pharm Tech license and not working?

[PharmBound2011]

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Hi,

I am wondering, I have no Pharmacy experience and I was wondering if someone had no experience as a Pharm Tech, would it look atleast a little better if the person had a Pharm Tech License? Since it's just a test I could have it done with in a few weeks, but is it worth it?

THANKS

 

[pharm B]

Do you intend to earn the certification and not use it? I suppose it looks better than not being certified, but can't you find room to make use of it at least a little?

 

[Zekecb]

If you're talking about getting the license to look better to admissions committees, then I'd say no. They're looking for candidates with pharmacy experience, and your test taking skills will already show on your PCAT.

 

[phathead]

Are you talking about being licensed through your state or taking the PTCB exam and being certified?

In either case it will not subsititute for experience on your apps. A 3 legged drunken Yak could pass the PTCE nowadays.

 

[Passion4Sci]

No point in getting C.PhT unless you're going to at least try to work/get experience by using it.

 

[kinipela35]

If you're talking about getting the license to look better to admissions committees, then I'd say no. They're looking for candidates with pharmacy experience, and your test taking skills will already show on your PCAT.

Pharmacy work experience isn't necessarily always positive in the ad-com's eyes. It's nice to have any kind of work experience on your app and maybe some pharmacy shadowing. It's just another way for them to distinguish applicants from each other. It depends on the school, I guess.

The IPPE/APPE course coordinator (one of the interviewers) at my school actually said if it was up to him, he wouldn't admit anyone who has worked in a pharmacy before. In his point of view, people pick up bad habits and he feels like they then have to unteach you things and reteach you the "correct" way (and I use the term correct very lightly here). I'm not saying his opinion is right or wrong and neither is he. That's just how he feels about it. I thought it was interesting that he mentioned that to our class.

Realistically, the majority will usually have some background in pharmacy so it's become the norm to do it and make yourself competitive. It's also natural to want to try something out before jumping in head first and committing 3-6 extra years of your life to education for it.

To the OP, if you are planning on using it this app cycle, then I'd say it's probably a waste of time this late in the game. If you're applying next cycle, then go for it and try to make use of it over the summer or something. Once you're in pharm school (after you get your intern license), you won't need it anymore, so it will be shortlived if you do get it.

 

[phathead]

Pharmacy work experience isn't necessarily always positive in the ad-com's eyes. It's nice to have any kind of work experience on your app and maybe some pharmacy shadowing. It's just another way for them to distinguish applicants from each other. It depends on the school, I guess.

The IPPE/APPE course coordinator (one of the interviewers) at my school actually said if it was up to him, he wouldn't admit anyone who has worked in a pharmacy before. In his point of view, people pick up bad habits and he feels like they then have to unteach you things and reteach you the "correct" way (and I use the term correct very lightly here). I'm not saying his opinion is right or wrong and neither is he. That's just how he feels about it. I thought it was interesting that he mentioned that to our class.

Realistically, the majority will usually have some background in pharmacy so it's become the norm to do it and make yourself competitive. It's also natural to want to try something out before jumping in head first and committing 3-6 extra years of your life to education for it.

To the OP, if you are planning on using it this app cycle, then I'd say it's probably a waste of time this late in the game. If you're applying next cycle, then go for it and try to make use of it over the summer or something. Once you're in pharm school (after you get your intern license), you won't need it anymore, so it will be shortlived if you do get it.

That guy is an idiot then. I am sick and tired of training interns who have never set foot in a pharmacy before and then bitch and moan that if they woulda known what it was like that they never would have gone into it.

Sure people have experience in pharmacy when they apply, but do you know what that experience is? Maybe 4 hours a week in a pharmacy as a volunteer for 3 months.

Whoopdy freakin' do. That's not experience, that's barely sticking your toe in the ocean.

If I've learned anything during all of my interviews and travels the last few months, its that at least 2/3rds (and probably more) of people applying really have no idea what pharmacy is all about.

 

[delano2000]

No point in getting C.PhT unless you're going to at least try to work/get experience by using it.

👍 Even though getting that experience is not that easy. I guess volunteering helps if you can't find actual work experience.

 

[dmd20000]

That guy is an idiot then. I am sick and tired of training interns who have never set foot in a pharmacy before and then bitch and moan that if they woulda known what it was like that they never would have gone into it.

Sure people have experience in pharmacy when they apply, but do you know what that experience is? Maybe 4 hours a week in a pharmacy as a volunteer for 3 months.

Whoopdy freakin' do. That's not experience, that's barely sticking your toe in the ocean.

If I've learned anything during all of my interviews and travels the last few months, its that at least 2/3rds (and probably more) of people applying really have no idea what pharmacy is all about.

This is better than those who are in the 6 year program.

 

[MiataMike]

If I've learned anything during all of my interviews and travels the last few months, its that at least 2/3rds (and probably more) of people applying really have no idea what pharmacy is all about.

True dat.

 

[PharmyMen]

👍 Even though getting that experience is not that easy. I guess volunteering helps if you can't find actual work experience.

This would agree... can't link to it for some reason, so I copied and pasted.

Work experience vs. volunteering

by Admissions » Fri Oct 23, 2009 3:05 am
Question: Does Working in a pharmacy setting OR volunteering at a pharmacy setting have any advantage over the other?

Answer: I believe that work experience is more beneficial than volunteering at a pharmacy when considering applicants. However, I know some committee members that think it doesn't matter at all. For example, a 20 year old applicant with no work experience applying after 2 years of undergraduate studies is less likely to have the opportunity to gain the pharmacy work experience of a 30 year applicant looking for a new profession. Is this a double standard? Probably. Should you lose any sleep over it? No.

In my opinion, any experience (work, volunteering, shadowing) is better than none at all. Key point here - If you have worked or volunteered at a pharmacy, I strongly recommend that you obtain a letter of recommendation from a pharmacist at the location. If you have experience and then don't bother to get a letter of recommendation from your employer, it might reflect poorly. As committee members and health care professionals, we value the input of mentoring pharmacists in the application process. Having a solid RP recommendation can be very helpful for an applicant, whereas a lack of one might raise a few eyebrows.

 

[phathead]

This is better than those who are in the 6 year program.

I personally do not agree with 0+6 programs

 

[kinipela35]

I am sick and tired of training interns who have never set foot in a pharmacy before and then bitch and moan that if they woulda known what it was like that they never would have gone into it.

Are you referring to people who have never been in any pharmacy or just retail? Many people, including myself, have zero interest in pursuing community pharmacy. We are forced to "experience" and learn it in our rotations, which isn't exactly a bad thing. It's good to learn as many aspects of your craft as you can I suppose. Internships are, after all, about learning. I can understand the frustration though. I know I am most likely going to hate my community rotations, but I'm not going to complain like your trainees because I know retail isn't why I chose to pursue pharmacy. I'll just have to grin and bear it, minus the grinning.


It's interesting that they would complain about interning in one location and say they wouldn't have gone into pharmacy had they known. The fact that they use that one experience, neglecting all other aspects of pharmacy, to make that determination says that they never even put any thought into it. These kinds of people disturb me and make me less hopeful for the future of pharmacy.

 

[phathead]

Are you referring to people who have never been in any pharmacy or just retail? Many people, including myself, have zero interest in pursuing community pharmacy. We are forced to "experience" and learn it in our rotations, which isn't exactly a bad thing. It's good to learn as many aspects of your craft as you can I suppose. Internships are, after all, about learning. I can understand the frustration though. I know I am most likely going to hate my community rotations, but I'm not going to complain like your trainees because I know retail isn't why I chose to pursue pharmacy. I'll just have to grin and bear it, minus the grinning.

I'm talking about people who know nothing about pharmacy. They know of retail from visiting Walgreens and that's it. They may have heard of a hospital pharmacist, but they are completely unaware of all the different avenues you can go into.

My favorite is when they go "You mean we have to talk to patients? Ew."

It's interesting that they would complain about interning in one location and say they wouldn't have gone into pharmacy had they known. The fact that they use that one experience, neglecting all other aspects of pharmacy, to make that determination says that they never even put any thought into it. These kinds of people disturb me and make me less hopeful for the future of pharmacy.

It happens FAR more than you would think it should.

 

[Dezixn]

Like phathead said, the PCTB exam is pretty much a joke. If you can do math you can pass it pretty much, so I think simply being certified doesn't mean almost anything.

That guy is an idiot then. I am sick and tired of training interns who have never set foot in a pharmacy before and then bitch and moan that if they woulda known what it was like that they never would have gone into it.

Sure people have experience in pharmacy when they apply, but do you know what that experience is? Maybe 4 hours a week in a pharmacy as a volunteer for 3 months.

Whoopdy freakin' do. That's not experience, that's barely sticking your toe in the ocean.

If I've learned anything during all of my interviews and travels the last few months, its that at least 2/3rds (and probably more) of people applying really have no idea what pharmacy is all about.

Yeah that sounds like a silly statement. If you don't ever get any experience how do you know you will like pharmacy?.

 

[MiataMike]

...so I think simply being certified doesn't mean almost anything.

Disagree. Being PTCB certified is just one more facet to add to your application and every bit helps. You need as much as you can to distinguish yourself from your competition and there's no harm in being a certified tech and appending a title to your name. At minimum, it shows adcoms you're not some mouth breathing idiot and you can at least do basic calculations.

 

[phathead]

Disagree. Being PTCB certified is just one more facet to add to your application and every bit helps. You need as much as you can to distinguish yourself from your competition and there's no harm in being a certified tech and appending a title to your name. At minimum, it shows adcoms you're not some mouth breathing idiot and you can at least do basic calculations.

I would think passing basic math in high school would mean the same thing.

If I were an adcom and I saw someone passed the PTCE, but never worked, I would think they were a bit on the lazy side

 

[MiataMike]

Agreed. Getting certified with zero experience is a bit strange. Walgreens required all of its techs to get certified sometime last year. I think it allowed pharmacists to go over the 2:1 tech to pharmacist ratio.

 

[phathead]

Agreed. Getting certified with zero experience is a bit strange. Walgreens required all of its techs to get certified sometime last year. I think it allowed pharmacists to go over the 2:1 tech to pharmacist ratio.

Yea, in most states the ratio goes 3:1 if they're certified

 

[lauradiddle]

Honestly, I pretty much winged my PTCB exam and still passed. The certificate alone isn't going to make you that much different from an applicant without one (aside from the fact that your wallet is a couple hundred dollars lighter) because you both still lack pharmacy experience. Admissions representatives prefer individuals who've worked or volunteered in a pharmacy because of the exposure you get to the field. If you're just looking to take an exam that makes your app look stronger, I recommend devoting your time to one called the PCAT. 😛

 

[ArkansasRanger]

I would think passing basic math in high school would mean the same thing.

If I were an adcom and I saw someone passed the PTCE, but never worked, I would think they were a bit on the lazy side

Or just couldn't find a job perhaps? 😕

 

[phathead]

Or just couldn't find a job perhaps? 😕

If you get certified and still don't have a job by the time you apply next fall... yea, that excuse isn't gonna work

Besides, would you really wanna start out your pharmacy career by lying?

 

[Passion4Sci]

If you get certified and still don't have a job by the time you apply next fall... yea, that excuse isn't gonna work

Besides, would you really wanna start out your pharmacy career by lying?

Plenty of not-lazy people in CA are hitting the unemployment benefits limit prior to Obama's most recent exchange (it was capped at 1 year) without finding suitable employment, so I think your attitude is not in keeping with the times. Compound the issue with many students having difficult schedules to work around, and it all amounts to employers being even more hesitant to hire (even moreso than normal).

In a lot of markets, you just can't find a specific job. Could Person X GET *A* job? I'm sure. But specifically as a C.PhT, in a market flooded (At least here) with credentialed, experienced C.PhTs who've actually worked in the field before and aren't just paper tigers?

It's a dim forecast in that respect.

 

[chemguy79]

Living in a college town (Chapel Hill, North Carolina) with quite a few pre-pharmacy students, it's been a pain trying to find a Pharmacy tech position. I have a full time position at a pharmaceutical company, so my schedule is limited to working on weekends or the evenings when I don't have class. Even though I've explained my circumstances, my situation won't suffice for the local CVS, Walgreens, Rite-Aid, Walmart, Target sites. Blanket statements about being lazy and whatnot are rather ignorant ...

 

[globalruns]

You set yourself to be a more attractive hiring candidate by being licensed. That said, people have been floating about saying that you can work as a pharmacy tech and not have to be licensed, but depending on the state/region/location, it's harder. The economy has pushed companies to be more judicious on hiring end, and retail chains are cutting hours of even more established employees (ie even pharmacists). Try applying to various places, online and in person in your region to get a feel. However, the region I am located in, you have no bargaining power to be a clerk/cashier without certification. Five to Six other people want that minimum wage spot. So the bottom line is that they want certification. Even trying to volunteer at the hospital, you can perhaps work your way up but even that requires certification for how to make IVs etc. Maybe 5 years ago, you could get away with working your way up from cashier to tech, but at this point, no. I think that trend will hold, partly because the PTCB is a national exam that was invoked by the Pharmacy Association of Acronym Something to have more qualified people assisting them. If you have poorly educated pharm techs, then the pharmacist's job/license is on the line. Therefore, even with the economy easing up, you still need to get certified. I guess if people have done it other ways, that's great, but that's kind of just luck/fortunate.

 

[ArkansasRanger]

Yeah, between downsizing employers and kids going to school full-time I could see lots of people with a PTCB cert. not finding an applicable job. It's a pretty narrow field to work in - pharmacy. It's not like a kid trying to get medical experience before trying to go to medical school. You could do that in any conceivable healthcare arena. Anybody will hire a butt wiper. I don't think laziness is so much an issue.

 

[Ji the Captain]

Pharmacy work experience isn't necessarily always positive in the ad-com's eyes. It's nice to have any kind of work experience on your app and maybe some pharmacy shadowing. It's just another way for them to distinguish applicants from each other. It depends on the school, I guess.

The IPPE/APPE course coordinator (one of the interviewers) at my school actually said if it was up to him, he wouldn't admit anyone who has worked in a pharmacy before.😱 In his point of view, people pick up bad habits and he feels like they then have to unteach you things and reteach you the "correct" way (and I use the term correct very lightly here). I'm not saying his opinion is right or wrong and neither is he. That's just how he feels about it. I thought it was interesting that he mentioned that to our class.

Realistically, the majority will usually have some background in pharmacy so it's become the norm to do it and make yourself competitive. It's also natural to want to try something out before jumping in head first and committing 3-6 extra years of your life to education for it.

To the OP, if you are planning on using it this app cycle, then I'd say it's probably a waste of time this late in the game. If you're applying next cycle, then go for it and try to make use of it over the summer or something. Once you're in pharm school (after you get your intern license), you won't need it anymore, so it will be shortlived if you do get it.

he must not have a very large marticulating class