Guest guest Posted January 10, 2011 Report Share Posted January 10, 2011 I am new to this group. I joined it because I need information. Basically, I need to know how you go about getting a job as a pharmacy technician. I am scheduled to take the PTCB Exam later this month. I do not have any formal training as a pharmacy technician, or the like; I have a master's degree and a BA, though... and I would think just to have a degree or two in the first place helps a person come off as a good candidate for the job, right? Do you have personal stories to tell of how any of you may have gotten their jobs? I thank you all in advance! Sincerely, Francis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 10, 2011 Report Share Posted January 10, 2011 Welcome to this group. Yours situation is just as mine. I have both BA and masters degree before I took the PTCB. This is what I did. I took a job at welgreens for $8.25/hr Whiles there, I talked to the pharmacy manager about my interest and had to do some hours as a trainee on my off days and hours. I get a transfer to the pharmacy with $10/hr when of the worker resigned. I must say it was not easy but I knew what I want. Now after a year, I work in inpatient pharmacy with $18/hour. My advice: Study and get your certification Pick a job even if for $8/hr. or do volunteer for experience. Look for hospital pharmacy where bigger buck are. With your degrees and previous experience though not in pharmacy, you will surely get a job. I must say this group has been very helpful in making me who I am today. If you come across anything question you dont understand, post it here. Keep your head up, with confidence and hardwork you will sure get a job. Stay Blessed Sarpong CPhT ________________________________ From: Francis <francis.tokarski@...> Sent: Mon, January 10, 2011 2:33:52 PM Subject: Greetings, all!  I am new to this group. I joined it because I need information. Basically, I need to know how you go about getting a job as a pharmacy technician. I am scheduled to take the PTCB Exam later this month. I do not have any formal training as a pharmacy technician, or the like; I have a master's degree and a BA, though... and I would think just to have a degree or two in the first place helps a person come off as a good candidate for the job, right? Do you have personal stories to tell of how any of you may have gotten their jobs? I thank you all in advance! Sincerely, Francis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 10, 2011 Report Share Posted January 10, 2011 Dear Francis, It is possible to get a job as a tech. But during this economic crunch it is not as easy as it once was. Depending upon what state you live in you may have to get some type of formal training or some on the job practical training or both. A few states are left that do not require PTCB in some way. Many states also require finger printing or Live Scan that has been required by WA, CA and Utah for eons! Many states require registration?; Which is proof that one has met the state's requirements (have been fulfilled) plus some type of application/paperwork to fill out, maybe fingerprints, proof of graduation from HS or equivalent. Some states require CPhT by either PTCB or ExCPT. Examples: Oregon and New Mexico require either PTCB or ExCPT exam. Texas only accepts PTCB. CA accepts PTCB or schooling (which we both know are not equivalent, but go figure). Techs make about min wage to 1.5 min wage to start. So if you think you will get rich forget it. But considering that the US Dept of Labor still says that medical is the place to be to stay employed, then you can bet Pharm Tech will offer you more stability in jobs......once you get hired. Back to during this economy it will be hard to find any work. But medical will most likely be easier to find than other work. So to get started, first find your state's requirements. Check out the comments by US Dept of Labor - pharmacy technicians (not pharmacists and not assistants)on: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos325.htm Interested in $$$$? Check out www.salary.com and http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292052.htm Specific answer to your email: How Do I Become a Pharmacy Technician? http://www.pharmacytechniciansalarydata.com/how-to-become-pharmacy-tech.html Pharmacy Technician: Career Information http://careerplanning.about.com/od/occupations/p/pharmacy_tech.htm Hope this answers your question(s). Recently on the site several people have asked similar questions so you may want to read what I and others wrote. I will also post this reply to your post. Please let me know what information that I am giving you helps you the most and what is still lacking. Respectfully, Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS Founder/Owner --- On Mon, 1/10/11, Francis > > I am new to this group. I joined it because I need information. Basically, I need to know how you go about getting a job as a pharmacy technician. I am scheduled to take the PTCB Exam later this month. I do not have any formal training as a pharmacy technician, or the like; I have a master's degree and a BA, though... and I would think just to have a degree or two in the first place helps a person come off as a good candidate for the job, right? Do you have personal stories to tell of how any of you may have gotten their jobs? > > I thank you all in advance! > > Sincerely, > > Francis > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 10, 2011 Report Share Posted January 10, 2011 Dear , First of all I am blessed to have you as a member! Thank you for your wonderfully positive comments: " I must say this group has been very helpful in making me who I am today. If you come across anything question you dont understand, post it here. " How nice! I am happy that you have learned much here. Secondly I wish to thank you for fielding this question and sharing yoru personal experiences. I recall when you first started out seeking work. It is from members like you that many newbies learn, as well as from myself. But the membership can get a bit tired of hearing only from me, so your input is invaluable! Any others reading this care to share? Respectfully, Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS Founder/Owner > > Welcome to this group. > Yours situation is just as mine. > > I have both BA and masters degree before I took the PTCB. > This is what I did. > > I took a job at welgreens for $8.25/hr > Whiles there, I talked to the pharmacy manager > about my interest and had to do some hours as a trainee on my off > days and hours. > > I get a transfer to the pharmacy with $10/hr when of the worker resigned. > I must say it was not easy but I knew what I want. > > Now after a year, I work in inpatient pharmacy with $18/hour. > > My advice: > Study and get your certification > Pick a job even if for $8/hr. or do volunteer for experience. > > Look for hospital pharmacy where bigger buck are. > With your degrees and previous experience though not in pharmacy, > you will surely get a job. > > I must say this group has been very helpful in making me who I am today. > If you come across anything question you dont understand, post it here. > > Keep your head up, with confidence and hardwork you will sure get a job. > > Stay Blessed > Sarpong CPhT > > > ________________________________ > From: Francis <francis.tokarski@...> > > Sent: Mon, January 10, 2011 2:33:52 PM > Subject: Greetings, all! > > > I am new to this group. I joined it because I need information. Basically, I > need to know how you go about getting a job as a pharmacy technician. I am > scheduled to take the PTCB Exam later this month. I do not have any formal > training as a pharmacy technician, or the like; I have a master's degree and a > BA, though... and I would think just to have a degree or two in the first place > helps a person come off as a good candidate for the job, right? Do you have > personal stories to tell of how any of you may have gotten their jobs? > > I thank you all in advance! > > Sincerely, > > Francis > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 10, 2011 Report Share Posted January 10, 2011 THANK YOU! Your advice is very useful. And thank you for the encouragement. I am impressed with your get-your-foot-in-the-door trategy, and will keep it in mind. I may end out doing the same thing! I wonder what position I could take in a hospital pharmacy in order to get my foot in the door there... > > Welcome to this group. > Yours situation is just as mine. > > I have both BA and masters degree before I took the PTCB. > This is what I did. > > I took a job at welgreens for $8.25/hr > Whiles there, I talked to the pharmacy manager > about my interest and had to do some hours as a trainee on my off > days and hours. > > I get a transfer to the pharmacy with $10/hr when of the worker resigned. > I must say it was not easy but I knew what I want. > > Now after a year, I work in inpatient pharmacy with $18/hour. > > My advice: > Study and get your certification > Pick a job even if for $8/hr. or do volunteer for experience. > > Look for hospital pharmacy where bigger buck are. > With your degrees and previous experience though not in pharmacy, > you will surely get a job. > > I must say this group has been very helpful in making me who I am today. > If you come across anything question you dont understand, post it here. > > Keep your head up, with confidence and hardwork you will sure get a job. > > Stay Blessed > Sarpong CPhT > > > > > > > > > > > > > ________________________________ > From: Francis <francis.tokarski@...> > > Sent: Mon, January 10, 2011 2:33:52 PM > Subject: Greetings, all! > >  > I am new to this group. I joined it because I need information. Basically, I > need to know how you go about getting a job as a pharmacy technician. I am > scheduled to take the PTCB Exam later this month. I do not have any formal > training as a pharmacy technician, or the like; I have a master's degree and a > BA, though... and I would think just to have a degree or two in the first place > helps a person come off as a good candidate for the job, right? Do you have > personal stories to tell of how any of you may have gotten their jobs? > > I thank you all in advance! > > Sincerely, > > Francis > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 10, 2011 Report Share Posted January 10, 2011 THANK YOU! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 10, 2011 Report Share Posted January 10, 2011 hospitals have volunteers, but not always in pharmacy. there is also a pharmacy assistant position that might be available. you would do things to help the pharmacy, but not for specific patients (such as checking in/putting away the order, answering phones, delivering meds to the floors, etc.)  THANK YOU! Your advice is very useful. And thank you for the encouragement. I am impressed with your get-your-foot-in-the-door strategy, and will keep it in mind. I may end out doing the same thing! I wonder what position I could take in a hospital pharmacy in order to get my foot in the door there... > > Welcome to this group. > Yours situation is just as mine. > > I have both BA and masters degree before I took the PTCB. > This is what I did. > > I took a job at welgreens for $8.25/hr > Whiles there, I talked to the pharmacy manager > about my interest and had to do some hours as a trainee on my off > days and hours. > > I get a transfer to the pharmacy with $10/hr when of the worker resigned. > I must say it was not easy but I knew what I want. > > Now after a year, I work in inpatient pharmacy with $18/hour. > > My advice: > Study and get your certification > Pick a job even if for $8/hr. or do volunteer for experience. > > Look for hospital pharmacy where bigger buck are. > With your degrees and previous experience though not in pharmacy, > you will surely get a job. > > I must say this group has been very helpful in making me who I am today. > If you come across anything question you dont understand, post it here. > > Keep your head up, with confidence and hardwork you will sure get a job. > > Stay Blessed > Sarpong CPhT > > > > > > > > > > > > > ________________________________ > From: Francis <francis.tokarski@...> > > Sent: Mon, January 10, 2011 2:33:52 PM > Subject: Greetings, all! > >  > I am new to this group. I joined it because I need information. Basically, I > need to know how you go about getting a job as a pharmacy technician. I am > scheduled to take the PTCB Exam later this month. I do not have any formal > training as a pharmacy technician, or the like; I have a master's degree and a > BA, though... and I would think just to have a degree or two in the first place > helps a person come off as a good candidate for the job, right? Do you have > personal stories to tell of how any of you may have gotten their jobs? > > I thank you all in advance! > > Sincerely, > > Francis > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 thank you... what i am afraid of is having to get, for instance, a non-paying internship... i need to get a job - i need pay... i don't have to make that much, at least at first... but i do need the pay... i have found a list of all the pharmacies in the town i am going to be living in... there are about 20... what i want to do today is call them up... just to ask each one: " hey, i'm wondering if you have any openings for a pharm tech? " - and then to just sit back and see what they say... in this way, i want to " feel out " the pharmacy world, and maybe get a conversation going that will lead to a job or future job... talk to you later, amigos... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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