Re: IV technician

[Guest guest]

IV Techs make much more money and the Chemo IV Techs make as much as a head RN.

It usually takews a while as most states are demanding more time and education

in these specialties. it is worth it. Best wishes, Mark

From: Leon <le0014@...>

Subject: IV technician

Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 2:13 AM

Is there a difference between a IV Certified Pharmacy Technician and a

regular certified technician? If so how can I become IV Certified?

[Guest guest]

What exactly is IV certified?

>

[Guest guest]

Please don't let the last statement cloud your thoughts....While in most cases,

IV Certified Pharmacy Technicians do make more than your garden variety pharm

tech...it all depends on the employer. As far as I am concerned, every tech

should know how to make IV's...it's part of our job. Chemo techs where I am DO

NOT make as much as a head RN. I think that is true 90% of the states. Actually,

the chemo techs in San make what the IV certified techs make.

From: Leon <le0014 (DOT) com>

Subject: [JeanettasPTCBStudy Group] IV technician

JeanettasPTCBStudyG roup@groups .com

Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 2:13 AM

Is there a difference between a IV Certified Pharmacy Technician and a

regular certified technician? If so how can I become IV Certified?

[Guest guest]

Please don't let the last statement cloud your thoughts....While in most cases,

IV Certified Pharmacy Technicians do make more than your garden variety pharm

tech...it all depends on the employer. As far as I am concerned, every tech

should know how to make IV's...it's part of our job. Chemo techs where I am DO

NOT make as much as a head RN. I think that is true 90% of the states. Actually,

the chemo techs in San make what the IV certified techs make.

From: Leon <le0014 (DOT) com>

Subject: [JeanettasPTCBStudy Group] IV technician

JeanettasPTCBStudyG roup@groups .com

Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 2:13 AM

Is there a difference between a IV Certified Pharmacy Technician and a

regular certified technician? If so how can I become IV Certified?

[Guest guest]

By definition (ASHP Manual for Pharm techs)certification is:

" The process by which a nongovernmental agency or association grants

recognition to an idividual who has met qualifications that are

predetermined by THAT agency or association "

So loosely, IV certification means that you've met the objectives

established by who ever designed (and is selling) that particular

program.

Beware, there are vast differences among the " IV Certification "

programs. Some even allowing for home study, then seeking a

pharmacist to verify the students aseptic manipulations--even if the

pharmacist has no clue about sterile compounding--This just chaps my

hide to no end!!!!

To get yourself up to speed on the issues and requirements of sterile

compounding, I highly recommend going to the USP website and reading

the revised 797 chapter.

http://www.usp.org/USPNF/pf/generalChapter797.html

Also check our site...just type in 797 in the search bar.

Will add more comments later---off to work I go.

Dora

***PS: I recently heard that ASHP is working on a pharmacist

certification program in sterile compounding (like their diabetic and

onc. programs)

>

> What exactly is IV certified?

> >

>

[Guest guest]

depends on the employer.

From: Leon <le0014 (DOT) com>

Subject: [JeanettasPTCBStudy Group] IV technician

JeanettasPTCBStudyG roup@groups .com

Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 2:13 AM

Is there a difference between a IV Certified Pharmacy Technician and a

regular certified technician? If so how can I become IV Certified?

[Guest guest]

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha. Sorry yes chemo techs can make more then say a retail

tech but as much as a head RN? I have not seen it.

W

Chemo IV Tech

www.thepharmacygiftshop.com

IV technician

Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 2:13 AM

Is there a difference between a IV Certified Pharmacy Technician and a

regular certified technician? If so how can I become IV Certified?

[Guest guest]

I am also in SA. What Chemo practice do you work at? Feel free to email me

directly.

donpieter@...

W

[JeanettasPTCBStudy Group] IV technician

JeanettasPTCBStudyG roup@groups .com

Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 2:13 AM

Is there a difference between a IV Certified Pharmacy Technician and a

regular certified technician? If so how can I become IV Certified?

[Guest guest]

i only know what the IV Techcs claim they earn here. I work with the Department

of The Air Force. The government have civilians as GS and WS pay grades. The

Chemo Iv Techs claim they earn between $ 35.00 to $ 45.00 per hour under the

hood.

From: Leon <le0014 (DOT) com>

Subject: [JeanettasPTCBStudy Group] IV technician

JeanettasPTCBStudyG roup@groups .com

Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 2:13 AM

Is there a difference between a IV Certified Pharmacy Technician and a

regular certified technician? If so how can I become IV Certified?

[Guest guest]

Before you pack your bags - check the cost of housing, gas, groceries.....

Cost of living in much of Cali is expensive.

We need great, well trained techs in New Orleans - rent is reasonable, but

pay isn't topping the scales (unless you know where to look) ;-)

Anne

**************Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for

fuel-efficient used cars.

(http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007)

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

I was going to post about military and civilian pay at VA hospitals before Mark

did. When I returned to the site I found that he commented on the Rn/tech pay.

However I will offer this as I concur with Mark: while it is true in private

sector we do not have chemo techs making as much as nurses, some civilians

working at VA hospitals and some military personnel do get paid much higher

rates. And I will add some of them actually are nuclear techs in addition to

chemo techs, which raises the stakes a bit.

So we can not compare the apples to the oranges in pay and may be not in

responsibility in some cases also. Military personnel seem to carry more 

'weight'  as  a tech than the private sector. Cas in point in some military

bases where there is a hospital the supervising  tech  will replace the 

equivalent of  a  director when he/she is off base/out of the hospital becoming

the acting  chief commanding officer. I may not hve the 'lingo' correct but I

am sure you can all understand me. This would never happen in the private sector

in US hospitals where a lead tech takes over directorship in the absence of the

director, however a lead pharmacist in charge or supervising pharmacist

w/could.  This happens because the education in the military surpasses that of

the private sector. Therefore it does not surprise me that pay c/would be great

as well as responsibility.

Respectfully,

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

Founder/Owner

From: Leon <le0014 (DOT) com>

Subject: [JeanettasPTCBStudy Group] IV technician

JeanettasPTCBStudyG roup@groups .com

Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 2:13 AM

Is there a difference between a IV Certified Pharmacy Technician and a

regular certified technician? If so how can I become IV Certified?

[Guest guest]

I am presently stationed at Balad,Iraq in a trauma hospital with members from

Wilford Hall Medical Center who say the pharmacy techs there average $ 22.00 per

hour straight time while the Chemo IV earning above $ 30.00 per hours at Wiford

Hall.

From: Leon <le0014 (DOT) com>

Subject: [JeanettasPTCBStudy Group] IV technician

JeanettasPTCBStudyG roup@groups .com

Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 2:13 AM

Is there a difference between a IV Certified Pharmacy Technician and a

regular certified technician? If so how can I become IV Certified?

[Guest guest]

I came from the military side. We do get EXCELLENT training in the military.

I managed 3 pharmacies when I was active duty. I was a supervising tech as a

civilian on a military base. I was the only person in the pharmacy from 5:30 am

to 9am....filled about 350-400 rx's by myself, dispensed, and counseled. As a

DOD employee in San , TX...techs are about GS 6..maybe a GS

7...regardless if they mix chemo, or regular iv's or neither. University

hospital here didn't give extra pay for mixing chemo, but the nurses that

administer the chemo got a higher rate of pay....go figure.

& quot;Do you think the average Stormtrooper knows how to install a toilet main

...all they know is killin, and white uniforms! & quot;

From: Leon <le0014 (DOT) com>

Subject: [JeanettasPTCBStudy Group] IV technician

JeanettasPTCBStudyG roup@groups .com

Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 2:13 AM

Is there a difference between a IV Certified Pharmacy Technician and a

regular certified technician? If so how can I become IV Certified?

[Guest guest]

Thank you for confirming my point EXACTLY! SOME military techs

get paid more and have more responsibility!

NO WHERE in the US will a private sector tech be left alone longer

than 1/2 hour in a pharmacy and NEVER replace a director or pharmacist.

I think NOW we can all agree that techs in some areas make more than

we would otherwise expect and have more responsibility than we

otherwise would expect.

Respectfully to all for joining in this informative discussion!

Thank you Mark for your accurate input of your experience.

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS Chem

Pharm Tech Educator

Founder/Owner

>

> From: donpieteraol (DOT) com <donpieteraol (DOT) com>

> Subject: Re: [JeanettasPTCBStudy Group] IV technician

> JeanettasPTCBStudyG roup@groups .com

> Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 1:59 PM

>

> Hahahahahahahahahah ahaha. Sorry yes chemo techs can make more then

say a

> retail tech but as much as a head RN? I have not seen it.

> W

> Chemo IV Tech

> www.thepharmacygift shop.com

>

> Re: [JeanettasPTCBStudy Group] IV technician

>

> IV Techs make much more money and the Chemo IV Techs make as much as

a head RN.

> It usually takews a while as most states are demanding more time and

education

> in these specialties. it is worth it. Best wishes, Mark

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Ah Civilian Fed employees. That figures.

[JeanettasPTCBStudy Group] IV technician

JeanettasPTCBStudyG roup@groups .com

Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 2:13 AM

Is there a difference between a IV Certified Pharmacy Technician and a

regular certified technician? If so how can I become IV Certified?

[Guest guest]

Three of my grads report that as chemo techs for UCSF they are at $38.50 an hour

and one gets a night shift differential of $2.50--so that puts her at $41.00 per

hr. One of my other students from 4 years ago works in the nuclear pharmacy and

makes $42 an hour. That's more than most retail pharmacists. One of the students

only works 24 hrs a week though so sometimes the down side is it isn't full time

work. My other students who are trained (by me) in IV's start in local hospitals

in Sonoma and Marin Counties at about $21.50/hr plus shift differentials.

Deb , Instructor

City College of SF and

Santa Junior College

Pharmacy Technician Program

Re: [JeanettasPTCBStudy Group] IV technician

>

> IV Techs make much more money and the Chemo IV Techs make as much as

a head RN.

> It usually takews a while as most states are demanding more time and

education

> in these specialties. it is worth it. Best wishes, Mark

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Deb,

Thank you for proving my point exactly! " I think NOW we can all agree that

techs in some areas make more than

we would otherwise expect and have more responsibility than we

otherwise would expect. "

I would also like to add this:

Wages in California for starting pay vary depending upon WHERE withing CA you

live.

Northern CA where Deb is from is MUCH higher than in southern CA. But then so is

the cost of living!

However that being said the average higher amount is only about $5.00 per hour

more.

Which means the $14 to $18 in southern CA (students trained by me) start range

no experience is comparable to the $21.50 that you mentioned

for start IV tech in northern CA.

BUT I have to admit I have no students making $32 per hour doing ANYTHING! I do

have a few at $25 - $28 who are very experienced or supervising techs.

So this means your techs are working in an area/field of pharmacy that pays way

more than down south. I can't say it is the teaching as I can not compare

your students to mine But I can say with great certainty that I am very much

aware of what techs make in my area of LA/Long Beach, Orange and some parts of

Riverside and Sand Diego. They do not make that much money in Nuclear or Chemo.

But there could be a few locations that I am not aware of.

I am so happy for those techs in norther CA! Yeah!

Again proving that some techs in some areas make more money than we would

otherwise expect!

But also in the PRIVATE sector none of the techs making $38-$42 would ever be

allowed to replace

a pharmacist during his/her absence. That only happens in the military.

(speaking of US law only, as we do have non-US members).

I call upon my good friend FRED to let me know if he knows of UCLA or UCSD or

Loma or ?? paying

IV Chemo or Nuke techs this kind of money in our area of central/southern

coastal CA.

I would love to see the private sector pay be raises to that of Norther CA. I

think this

beats Washington!

 

Thank you for your invaluable input Deb!

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

Pharm Tech Educator

Founder/Owner of this site

From: debkell98@... <debkell98@...>

Subject: Re: Re: IV technician

Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 1:11 PM

Three of my grads report that as chemo techs for UCSF they are at $38.50 an hour

and one gets a night shift differential of $2.50--so that puts her at $41.00 per

hr. One of my other students from 4 years ago works in the nuclear pharmacy and

makes $42 an hour. That's more than most retail pharmacists. One of the

students only works 24 hrs a week though so sometimes the down side is it

isn't full time work. My other students who are trained (by me) in IV's

start in local hospitals in Sonoma and Marin Counties at about $21.50/hr plus

shift differentials.

Deb , Instructor

City College of SF and

Santa Junior College

Pharmacy Technician Program

Re: [JeanettasPTCBStudy Group] IV technician

>

> IV Techs make much more money and the Chemo IV Techs make as much as

a head RN.

> It usually takews a while as most states are demanding more time and

education

> in these specialties. it is worth it. Best wishes, Mark

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sorry about my typos people!

Damn long nails!

Need trimming tomorrow!

Also I wish to clarify the(my) following statement:

" They do not make that much money in Nuclear or Chemo. "

I was comparing the Northern CA wage of $38 to $41 per hour to the

Southern CA wage of $20 to $25 per hour STARTING pay for Chemo or

Nuclear Techs at UC hospitals (or other 'teaching' hospitals).

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

Pharm Tech Educator

Founder/Owner

> >

> > From: donpieteraol (DOT) com <donpieteraol (DOT) com>

> > Subject: Re: [JeanettasPTCBStudy Group] IV technician

> > JeanettasPTCBStudyG roup@groups .com

> > Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 1:59 PM

> >

> > Hahahahahahahahahah ahaha. Sorry yes chemo techs can make more then

> say a

> > retail tech but as much as a head RN? I have not seen it.

> > W

> > Chemo IV Tech

> > www.thepharmacygift shop.com

> >

> > Re: [JeanettasPTCBStudy Group] IV technician

> >

> > IV Techs make much more money and the Chemo IV Techs make as much as

> a head RN.

> > It usually takews a while as most states are demanding more time and

> education

> > in these specialties. it is worth it. Best wishes, Mark

> >

>

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you Dora for this valuable information.

I would like to add the following for those newbies who are hearing

about IV Certification for the first time:

Much is state law dependent as to who will have to get IV certified

and how.

1. Texas requires IV certification to work with IV's such as in a

hospital setting. This could be as outlined by one of the methods that

Dora pointed out that includes some self study with specific materials

or online study and then performing in front of a pharmacist to make

IV's and getting a signature. This yields a separate certificate or

paper of accomplishment that can be shown to any perspective employer.

To my knowledge it could also be 'in-house' certified (aka employer

certified).

2. CA does not require a certificate in IV's. It does require that one

attend a pharm tech program/course/school OR get PTCB certified.

IF one attends a school that has mock IV labs and an externship at a

facility that has IV's then one will get more experience than just

passing a PTCB exam. BUT having said that does not mean that any

hospital would hire you and expect you to make IV's and be able to

work on your own after the externship without FURTHER

in-house/employer IV training and competency testing, EXCEPT for the

hospital that one did their externship at or who trained him/her.

In CA it works like this: you get hired at a hospital with or without

IV experience, you are given time to review some basic materials or

videos or ??? then you take a written test and demonstrate to the

pharmacist (OR just do one one of the tests at a few hospitals). Then

IF you pass the competency written/demonstration tests you are

considered 'certified' or OKAYED or AUTHORIZED to make IV's for that

specific institution ONLY (and possibly its affiliates). So if you go

to another hospital then you will or may have to prove yourself all

over again. If you already have experience and years of making IV's

then you will probably just be watched or given a written exam or

still given both exams to document that you are AUTHORIZED (certified)

to make IV's for that different institution. Againit is employer

certified not a state requirement.

A few CA schools may have specific add on classes to 'certify' the

student in making IV's, but basically it means nothing in CA since the

hospital or employer will certify you again!

3. Other states: Still other states do not require IV certification

like Texas does, but it is becoming the norm or popular to hire only

techs who get outside independent company to certify them. Again as

Karin once said it is up to he employer. This may either be employer

certified or outside certified depending upon what your employer wants.

If your state NOW requires IV certification PLEASE post it here so we

can SEE which states do and which states do not.

Respectfully,

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

Pharm Tech Educator

F/O

> >

> > What exactly is IV certified?

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Sounds like I need to mo to Calli.

P

Re: [JeanettasPTCBStudy Group] IV technician

>

> IV Techs make much more money and the Chemo IV Techs make as much as

a head RN.

> It usually takews a while as most states are demanding more time and

education

> in these specialties. it is worth it. Best wishes, Mark

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sounds like I need to move to Calli.

P

Re: [JeanettasPTCBStudy Group] IV technician

>

> IV Techs make much more money and the Chemo IV Techs make as much as

a head RN.

> It usually takews a while as most states are demanding more time and

education

> in these specialties. it is worth it. Best wishes, Mark

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

yes, it does seem to beat my employer, and we appear to be average.  I am 2-3

levels from the top and making almost 21 an hour. 

From: debkell98aol (DOT) com <debkell98aol (DOT) com>

Subject: Re: [JeanettasPTCBStudy Group] Re: IV technician

JeanettasPTCBStudyG roup@groups .com

Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 1:11 PM

Three of my grads report that as chemo techs for UCSF they are at $38.50 an hour

and one gets a night shift differential of $2.50--so that puts her at $41.00 per

hr. One of my other students from 4 years ago works in the nuclear pharmacy and

makes $42 an hour. That's more than most retail pharmacists. One of the

students only works 24 hrs a week though so sometimes the down side is it

isn't full time work. My other students who are trained (by me) in IV's

start in local hospitals in Sonoma and Marin Counties at about $21.50/hr plus

shift differentials.

Deb , Instructor

City College of SF and

Santa Junior College

Pharmacy Technician Program

Re: [JeanettasPTCBStudy Group] IV technician

>

> IV Techs make much more money and the Chemo IV Techs make as much as

a head RN.

> It usually takews a while as most states are demanding more time and

education

> in these specialties. it is worth it. Best wishes, Mark

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I don't want to be misleading--as I am sure you do Jeanetta, I still call them

" my students " even after they have been gone from the program for many years!

The ones making the higher salaries jumped in with both feet, they were the

brightest and the best, they interned in hospitals and took every additional

class and certification available to them--they took on night shifts and worked

people's vacations...they learned, learned, learned and excelled. They put in

their time and they are now being rewarded.Also they were highly recommended by

all they worked with and by me and their preceptors for their internships.

Also--we have far fewer means of training in Northern California then in

SoCal--City College of San Francisco is the premier trainer or techs for the

City and Santa Junior College covers all of Sonoma and Marin

Counties--every hospital is desperate for well trained techs here--and remember

I said they aren't all guaranteed 40 full hrs a week--but if a tech is flexible

they can find good paying work.

Our retail techs make $16.50 to start at Walgreens and Long's is now at about

$14.00--both wages with PTCB certification.

Jeanetta is correct--it costs a fortune to live in Northern California. Our

school which is part of the CA junior college system is the best bargain going

at $13.00?a credit compared to some of the private school where tuition can be

$14,000 for a technician certificate.

Just wanted to clarify that those who see this as a professional career can and

do excel and reap the rewards.

Sincerely,

Deb , Instructor

CCSF and SRJC-Northern California

Re: [JeanettasPTCBStudy Group] IV technician

>

> IV Techs make much more money and the Chemo IV Techs make as much as

a head RN.

> It usually takews a while as most states are demanding more time and

education

> in these specialties. it is worth it. Best wishes, Mark

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your input Deb!

YES they are still " my students " once they graduate!

While you and I do not teach nuke tech or much about chemo other than

the basics, we do provide the foundation for the students to add on to

their knowledge. And it is wonderful to see that with what we provide

they can excel on their own merit and get top paying positions.

Thank you for being the great teacher you are!

Down here techs start at about 11 to 12 in retail with a few at 14 or

above.

Hospital techs begin at 12 to 15 with a few at 17/18.

While cost of living is much higher in CA, the $38 to $41 that you

reported for nuke tech is still way more than down here for pharm or

chemo tech. I wish to learn that I am wrong, I would love to learn

that we really do have techs down here who make that. But I have/had

students at Loma , UCLA and UCSD, but none have made such high

wages even for this area of So. Cal. Perhaps it is because they do not

have to report to us after the first year of work. Perhaps you are

right that it is because we have so many techs due to so many schools.

However I would venture to say we also have more hospitals and retail

pharmacies to match (population numbers). I still think some of it is

because the pharmacists down here are not as 'progressive' thinking

about techs, as they are up north.

Keep up the good work and keep on posting!

Thank you

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

Pham Tech Educator

Founder/Owner