Re: If you are already a tech or cerrified tech

[Guest guest]

Nice to finally MEET you Ms Medina!. I often wondered if you were related to Joe

Medina!

Glad that you have found this site (and Joe's book/site) helpful. Do you expect

them to train you in the IV at all? Is it something you would like to try?

Can you verify something for me? I was at a convention once where some NY techs

talked about no reqs for techs in their state and they also said something about

a union that the RPh's must go to first to hire techs. They said it is the same

union that the trash collectors belong to. Is this true? If not can you tell us

the process of becoming a tech in NY? {I found this hard to believe!}.

Thank you!

Jeanetta

MARYANN MEDINA <shortstuff1049@...> wrote:

Long Island, N.Y.

Pharm.Tech. (over 20yrs)

CPhT (since 11/06) Big Thanks to Jeanetta's PTCB Study Group & Joe Medina's

Guide book (no relation)

Hospital (work out & in patient pharmacy) (Certification not recognized yet)

otpt pharm: filling, scanning, setting up buckets of meds for Rph to check

also working in

the safe. Inspection of Clinics and refridgerator temp.logs. Answering in

house calls from clinics and MD's as well as outside calls from patients looking

for their next refill or redirecting their calls to a clinical Rph. Compounding.

Did I mention cleaning shelves, refrigerators, counting machines, counters.

Refilling labels in the printers, rotating stock.

inpat pharm: filing carts, setting up crash carts, prepacking meds & narcs,

delivering to the floors and nursing home, delivering IVs and picking new

orders. Doing missing meds rounds. I don't work in the IV room, yet. There

are about 25 techs working round the clock in shifts. Some of us are certified,

some are lead techs that aren't certified. I love this site! Thanks Jeanetta

for all you do. You lead we follow. My name is ann Medina

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS Chemistry <rxjm2002@...> wrote:

I have added my name!

Thank you

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

Founder/Owner of this site

>

> Dear All,

>

> If you are already a tech or a certified tech can you please post

> (kind of like a roll call but you do not need your name unless you

> want to post it) the following information:

>

> State?

> Pt or CPhT?

> Setting? Hsoptial, Retail? Managed Care? Education? Home Health Care?

> Home Infusion? MORE Specific that listed?

> Title?

> Job description?

>

> I am particularly interested in what type of tech is here for some

stats

> of the site (membership stats),

> BUT also I am interested in unusual job titles and descriptions and

> any new roles for pharmacy technicians!

>

>

> Thanks

Jeanetta

>

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

I'm sorry I said certified since 11/06 should be 11/05, just recertified 11/07.

No, I don't think I would like IV's because I have so much on my plate but the

opportunity is here. I've never heard of a union just for Pharm.Techs. I

wouldn't mind the trash collector union, maybe then we'd get some respect for

our title. Yes we have schools for Pharm Techs and pay thousands or work in a

retail store, some will train you and pay for your certification test. I came

up the ranks by working mom & pop stores to retail biggies like CVS and now

Hospitals. Getting certified was not a requirement but a self satisfaction and

proof of all my years of working with some very dedicated Pharmacist and Doctors

and I paid for the round trip to Pace University to take the PTCB Certification

test and paid for the test myself, as I said before Joe Medina's book (which

cost me $30 at that time) and your site helped me with any thing else I needed

to know. Yes, you should get paid in fact you

should have a sign on fee or membership fee for the priviledge of getting some

of your knowledge. It's only a credit card away.

Jeanetta Mastron <rxjm2002@...> wrote: Nice to finally MEET you

Ms Medina!. I often wondered if you were related to Joe Medina!

Glad that you have found this site (and Joe's book/site) helpful. Do you expect

them to train you in the IV at all? Is it something you would like to try?

Can you verify something for me? I was at a convention once where some NY techs

talked about no reqs for techs in their state and they also said something about

a union that the RPh's must go to first to hire techs. They said it is the same

union that the trash collectors belong to. Is this true? If not can you tell us

the process of becoming a tech in NY? {I found this hard to believe!}.

Thank you!

Jeanetta

MARYANN MEDINA <shortstuff1049@...> wrote: Long Island, N.Y.

Pharm.Tech. (over 20yrs)

CPhT (since 11/06) Big Thanks to Jeanetta's PTCB Study Group & Joe Medina's

Guide book (no relation)

Hospital (work out & in patient pharmacy) (Certification not recognized yet)

otpt pharm: filling, scanning, setting up buckets of meds for Rph to check also

working in

the safe. Inspection of Clinics and refridgerator temp.logs. Answering in house

calls from clinics and MD's as well as outside calls from patients looking for

their next refill or redirecting their calls to a clinical Rph. Compounding. Did

I mention cleaning shelves, refrigerators, counting machines, counters.

Refilling labels in the printers, rotating stock.

inpat pharm: filing carts, setting up crash carts, prepacking meds & narcs,

delivering to the floors and nursing home, delivering IVs and picking new

orders. Doing missing meds rounds. I don't work in the IV room, yet. There are

about 25 techs working round the clock in shifts. Some of us are certified, some

are lead techs that aren't certified. I love this site! Thanks Jeanetta for all

you do. You lead we follow. My name is ann Medina

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS Chemistry <rxjm2002@...> wrote:

I have added my name!

Thank you

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

Founder/Owner of this site

>

> Dear All,

>

> If you are already a tech or a certified tech can you please post

> (kind of like a roll call but you do not need your name unless you

> want to post it) the following information:

>

> State?

> Pt or CPhT?

> Setting? Hsoptial, Retail? Managed Care? Education? Home Health Care?

> Home Infusion? MORE Specific that listed?

> Title?

> Job description?

>

> I am particularly interested in what type of tech is here for some

stats

> of the site (membership stats),

> BUT also I am interested in unusual job titles and descriptions and

> any new roles for pharmacy technicians!

>

>

> Thanks

Jeanetta

>

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

ann,

Paid? I do not recall saying anything about getting paid in my

response to you. So far no plans for that.

Thanks for your response.

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

Founder/Owner

> >

> > Dear All,

> >

> > If you are already a tech or a certified tech can you please post

>

> > (kind of like a roll call but you do not need your name unless you

> > want to post it) the following information:

> >

> > State?

> > Pt or CPhT?

> > Setting? Hsoptial, Retail? Managed Care? Education? Home Health Care?

> > Home Infusion? MORE Specific that listed?

> > Title?

> > Job description?

> >

> > I am particularly interested in what type of tech is here for some

> stats

> > of the site (membership stats),

> > BUT also I am interested in unusual job titles and descriptions and

> > any new roles for pharmacy technicians!

> >

> >

> > Thanks

> Jeanetta

> >

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I just became a CPhT On Jan 3, 2008

I have been looking for a job in this field for a while, first I was

told I needed to be CPhT now I'm told I need exp. I finished Phamacy

school in Dec. I'm thinking I need to volunter somewhere. I really

need to be making money in this field. any Ideas, I'm in Memphis, TN

-- In , " Jeanetta Mastron CPhT

BS Chemistry " <rxjm2002@...> wrote:

>

> WOW!!! Tim you have your hands full (literally!) !

>

> I am interested in your duties or tasks with the C2 safe (pulling

> narcs)! Please elaborate for those studying who have never set foot

in

> a pharmacy and also to update some of us.

>

> In my day we did not touch C2 safes but we could count them out.

This

> being in hospital only. RPh in retail usually does this. And of

course

> I am speaking of California. Many states practice in the same way,

> but I will not speak for any as the laws change so rapidly these

days!

>

> Did you go to a pharm tech school? Prep course?

>

> Respectfully,

>

>

> Jeantta Mastron CPhT BS

> F/O

>

>

> >

> > Maine

> > Full Time Tech CPhT

> > Hospital

> > Jack of all Trades

> > inculded : answer phone, Making IV's Making Chemo, phone calls,

pre

> > packing meds, Pulling Narcs from the C2 safe, We also have a

pyxis. so

> > all that goes with that, and trouble shooting, inspections, EMS

boxes

> > Heart Trays, and now that i have just moved to the infusion

center,

> > Making chemo, inventory control temp logs, inspections, keeping

up with

> > 797, and anything i am asked to do.

> >

> >

> > --

> > No virus found in this outgoing message. SO it Should be

> alright..... --Tim

> > Checked by AVG Free Edition.

> > Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.0/1216 - Release Date:

> 1/9/2008 10:16 AM

> >

>

[Guest guest]

P. Crigger, CPhT 1998

The great state of Texas

Educational

Lead Instructor

I teach EVERY subcourse of the pharmacy technician course at San

College. I also tweak the curriculum and precept the students on clinical

rotations. I am getting ready to implement an ACPE IV certification course

through U of H.

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS Chemistry <rxjm2002@...> wrote:

Dear All,

If you are already a tech or a certified tech can you please post

(kind of like a roll call but you do not need your name unless you

want to post it) the following information:

State?

Pt or CPhT?

Setting? Hsoptial, Retail? Managed Care? Education? Home Health Care?

Home Infusion? MORE Specific that listed?

Title?

Job description?

I am particularly interested in what type of tech is here for some stats

of the site (membership stats),

BUT also I am interested in unusual job titles and descriptions and

any new roles for pharmacy technicians?

Thank

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

Dear Catzalin,

YES you need to have what is called hands on experience if you are

going to compete in a market with experienced techs.

So YES you need to volunteer for that.

Here in California it is not possible unless you are externing with a

school or hired with a PTCB and Registration and they train you and

let you go if you do not work out. That is why most pharmacies want to

hire school grads with externships under thier belts. But again this

is in CAlifornia.

State laws dictate the minimum but practice in industry dictates the

additional needs of the pharmacy.

Please review my files called Resume building, and Career Path

(something or other???) Go over interview techniques.

NEVER sell your self short, always sell the points that you have best:

math skills, mock lab skills, customer service etc

Make sure your resume gets you an interview!

If you get an interview with a resume that tells them you are not

experienced, but you do not get hired after the interview, then that

means they are willing to hire an non-experienced person.

So if you did not get the job it would be because

a. you did not sell yourself or appeared not confident

b. you were over confident or cocky

c. you did not seem to fit in with the other team members (personality)

d. appear to do the minimum not the nth degree to get the job done

e. poor interview skills, inability to understand the questions

f. poor verbal communication skills

g. you claim to have some experience, but it is not enough

h. simply someone else interviewed better than you or has c, or a or a

number of things better than you

i. do not appear that you will be easy to train from scratch

j. The easiest way to let down an interviewee is to tell them they are

seeking someone with more experience.

Always follow up with a letter of thank you.

Call back and Ask what do they think you can do to get experience? Do

they have any leads (places) for volunteering?

When what ever you are doing does not work, then change what you ar

doing.

Make sure your resume has impact, but be honest.

ASK exactly what they are looking for before you leave. Ask if they

have suggestions on getting experience.

go back to your school and ask for an externship if they did not

provide you with one. This is the biggest problem with passing PTCB or

any other certification exam: there is no experience to back it up.

This is WHY school with education, mock labs/training AND externship

(on the job training) are really needed before one takes the PTCB

exam. But unfortunately only a few states see it that way, but many

pharmacies, pharmacists do!

It is a LAW vs Practice issue!

Here is another advisement: Get LETTERS of recommendation about your

ability to get along with others, take direction well, math ability,

ability to reason, ability to be trained, commitment and dependability

etc Get letters from teachers, administration, staff, classmates,

friends, former employers, clergy.

Good luck and hopefully you will get more advice from others who have

been in your shoes. Let us know which pieces of advice help you out

the most, and how your career path progresses.

Respectfully,

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

F/O

> > >

> > > Maine

> > > Full Time Tech CPhT

> > > Hospital

> > > Jack of all Trades

> > > inculded : answer phone, Making IV's Making Chemo, phone calls,

> pre

> > > packing meds, Pulling Narcs from the C2 safe, We also have a

> pyxis. so

> > > all that goes with that, and trouble shooting, inspections, EMS

> boxes

> > > Heart Trays, and now that i have just moved to the infusion

> center,

> > > Making chemo, inventory control temp logs, inspections, keeping

> up with

> > > 797, and anything i am asked to do.

> > >

> > >

> > > --

> > > No virus found in this outgoing message. SO it Should be

> > alright..... --Tim

> > > Checked by AVG Free Edition.

> > > Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.0/1216 - Release Date:

> > 1/9/2008 10:16 AM

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hey, I just became certified this month as well, congratulations!!!!!!!!! I

actually moved from Memphis, TN June 2006 and relocated to Houston, Tx because

the job market is so outstanding especially in our field. Houston has the 2nd

largest medical ctr in the US, Chicago is 1st. I was actually a Nail Tech and

had a Nail Salon in Memphis before I relocated but just didn't feel like I could

reach my full potential there. I graduate on the 18th and have submitted my

resume to various hospitals, my calculations instructor knows alot of people in

the field so I'm sure I will have a job soon I was just waiting on my results.

The school that I attending has a externship program toward the end of our

program so I'm actually in my last week of externship and plan to continue a

couple days a week a volunteer because we can use training/volunteering as work

experience. So, by all means you should volunteer preferably at the hospital or

pharmacy that you would like to become

employed. Being in Memphis, I would check into St. Jude to find out if they

have a pharmacy in-house. All of the Methodists hospitals are good also. Good

Luck!!!!!!!!!

catzalin <catycee@...> wrote: I just became a CPhT On Jan 3, 2008

I have been looking for a job in this field for a while, first I was

told I needed to be CPhT now I'm told I need exp. I finished Phamacy

school in Dec. I'm thinking I need to volunter somewhere. I really

need to be making money in this field. any Ideas, I'm in Memphis, TN

-- In , " Jeanetta Mastron CPhT

BS Chemistry " <rxjm2002@...> wrote:

>

> WOW!!! Tim you have your hands full (literally!) !

>

> I am interested in your duties or tasks with the C2 safe (pulling

> narcs)! Please elaborate for those studying who have never set foot

in

> a pharmacy and also to update some of us.

>

> In my day we did not touch C2 safes but we could count them out.

This

> being in hospital only. RPh in retail usually does this. And of

course

> I am speaking of California. Many states practice in the same way,

> but I will not speak for any as the laws change so rapidly these

days!

>

> Did you go to a pharm tech school? Prep course?

>

> Respectfully,

>

>

> Jeantta Mastron CPhT BS

> F/O

>

>

> >

> > Maine

> > Full Time Tech CPhT

> > Hospital

> > Jack of all Trades

> > inculded : answer phone, Making IV's Making Chemo, phone calls,

pre

> > packing meds, Pulling Narcs from the C2 safe, We also have a

pyxis. so

> > all that goes with that, and trouble shooting, inspections, EMS

boxes

> > Heart Trays, and now that i have just moved to the infusion

center,

> > Making chemo, inventory control temp logs, inspections, keeping

up with

> > 797, and anything i am asked to do.

> >

> >

> > --

> > No virus found in this outgoing message. SO it Should be

> alright..... --Tim

> > Checked by AVG Free Edition.

> > Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.0/1216 - Release Date:

> 1/9/2008 10:16 AM

> >

>

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

Wonderful Chris!

Congrats on the ACPE IV course! YEAH!

So your program made it through ASHP approval?

I do exactly as you do, as program director, but I supervise some one who does

the externships. i get involved only when the RPh director wants to talk to me

about changes or a particular student. I do the recs for match the students with

a facility.

So proud to know you Chris!

Respectfully,

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

F/O

chris crigger <askewedview@...> wrote: Chris

P. Crigger, CPhT 1998

The great state of Texas

Educational

Lead Instructor

I teach EVERY subcourse of the pharmacy technician course at San

College. I also tweak the curriculum and precept the students on clinical

rotations. I am getting ready to implement an ACPE IV certification course

through U of H.

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS Chemistry <rxjm2002@...> wrote:

Dear All,

If you are already a tech or a certified tech can you please post

(kind of like a roll call but you do not need your name unless you

want to post it) the following information:

State?

Pt or CPhT?

Setting? Hsoptial, Retail? Managed Care? Education? Home Health Care?

Home Infusion? MORE Specific that listed?

Title?

Job description?

I am particularly interested in what type of tech is here for some stats

of the site (membership stats),

BUT also I am interested in unusual job titles and descriptions and

any new roles for pharmacy technicians?

Thank

---------------------------------

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

California

CPhT

Setting: Inpatient, Outpatient, Home Infusion, Long Term Care, Mail

Order, Private Sector

Title: President/CEO (Currently)

Regional Manager

PBM Specialist

System Test Engineer

Lead Case Manager

Pharmacy Technician

Duites: Hire Pharmacist, Pharmacy Technicians, train new employees on

pharmacy software programs, teaching new grads math, brand and

generics, counting (only to those that said the school didn't teach

them that well and they have the potential to be a technician is when

i do this), sales, marketing and serving on two Pharmacy Technician

advisory boards. Fill in as a pharmacy technician when needed.

As a regional manager, i was responsible for marketing and

recruiting. Training of new pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who

got hired on in the inpatient, home infusion and retail settings.

Implemented new clients in the system that would be using the client

for their Pharmacy Benefits Management. Ensuring that when the

pharmacy processes a prescription it should go through with no

problems, that certain medications will reject when we set it up to

reject, making sure adjudication is working.

Building and implementing clients pharmacy software/hardware,

equipment is functioning and adjudicating correctly. Sitting down

with the client and walk them through all the procedures and making

sure the testing goes off with no gliche.

Ensuring that all patients insurances are current and medications get

approved. Once the authorization is about to expire, call the

insurance company to extend therapy time, talking with the doctrs to

relay any concerns insurances has or to notify them the insurance

will no longer cover the medication. ICD-9 coding.

As a technician, i have worked in mail order, developed a loss

prevention policy and procedure. Experienced in I.V. and chemo

preparations. Training. Unit Dose filling, Trouble shooter for

Pyxis. Prepacking. Unit Checks. Fill and type prescriptions, billing

third party. Inventory Control and Narcotic technician.

[Guest guest]

Great!

This site recognizes you Jeanne!

Keep on posting this year! You brought a lot to the table, which benefited many

techs seeking employment.

Jeanetta

rxjeanne <rxjeanne@...> wrote: California

CPhT

Setting: Inpatient, Outpatient, Home Infusion, Long Term Care, Mail

Order, Private Sector

Title: President/CEO (Currently)

Regional Manager

PBM Specialist

System Test Engineer

Lead Case Manager

Pharmacy Technician

Duites: Hire Pharmacist, Pharmacy Technicians, train new employees on

pharmacy software programs, teaching new grads math, brand and

generics, counting (only to those that said the school didn't teach

them that well and they have the potential to be a technician is when

i do this), sales, marketing and serving on two Pharmacy Technician

advisory boards. Fill in as a pharmacy technician when needed.

As a regional manager, i was responsible for marketing and

recruiting. Training of new pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who

got hired on in the inpatient, home infusion and retail settings.

Implemented new clients in the system that would be using the client

for their Pharmacy Benefits Management. Ensuring that when the

pharmacy processes a prescription it should go through with no

problems, that certain medications will reject when we set it up to

reject, making sure adjudication is working.

Building and implementing clients pharmacy software/hardware,

equipment is functioning and adjudicating correctly. Sitting down

with the client and walk them through all the procedures and making

sure the testing goes off with no gliche.

Ensuring that all patients insurances are current and medications get

approved. Once the authorization is about to expire, call the

insurance company to extend therapy time, talking with the doctrs to

relay any concerns insurances has or to notify them the insurance

will no longer cover the medication. ICD-9 coding.

As a technician, i have worked in mail order, developed a loss

prevention policy and procedure. Experienced in I.V. and chemo

preparations. Training. Unit Dose filling, Trouble shooter for

Pyxis. Prepacking. Unit Checks. Fill and type prescriptions, billing

third party. Inventory Control and Narcotic technician.