Pharmacy Technician Career Guide and Counseling

Question: Pharmacy Technician? I heard from a friend of mine that it doesn't take long to become a pharmacy technician? He told me that it takes a couple of months to go to school?How does the program work? He told me that you go to school for a month then start working as a Pharmacy technician and you can be a certified Pharmacy technician too.

Answer: Hello. This is a VERY good field to look into. It really doesnt take that long to get certified it just depends on how they teach or where you go to determine how long it will take you to finish. You have 2 options: 1. CVS, that is where I worked and i became Certifiied Pharmacy Technician. I am still there now. I enjoy it. It is a great opportunity to work because you have alot of options like. You start off As a PSA. Pharmacy Service Associate (PSA) This is an entry-level role. The primary focus for a PSA is on customer service. Responsibilities within the position include: Ringing out prescriptions, answering telephones, and Pharmacist referrals. The role of the PSA is important because he/she is often the first person with whom the customer comes into contact. The impression that the PSA gives the customer may determine the outcome of that customer's experience at CVS/pharmacy. Pharmacy Technician This is a second level position that builds upon the skills and responsibilities of the PSA. The role of the Technician is focused on customer service and prescription order processing, as well as problem resolution and inventory management. The role of the Technician is important because he/she helps to ensure that the right customer receives the right prescription, every time. Pharmacy Lead Technician This is a third-level position that builds upon the skills and responsibilities of the Tech. The role of the Pharmacy Lead Technician includes more focus on mentoring and guiding support staff members in team development. The Lead Technician is important because he or she serves as a role model for for other Pharmacy Support Staff, and supports the Pharmacist. You can also call your local cvs, and talk with the lead manager or the pharmacist in charge. 2. You can go to a community college and alot of them have started classes where you go for 6-8 weeks and it helps you prepare for the Pharmacy Technician Exam. My friend done that and she passed. They meet for like 4-5 hours 3 or 2 times a week Good Luck

Question: How do I become a pharmacy technician? Many, if not all, pharmacy schools require previous work experience as a pharmacy technician in order to be considered for a spot in the entering class. However, finding a job as a pharmacy technician is extremely difficult. Only people with connections to other pharmacy technicians or pharmacists can find these jobs. So, if you do not know anyone in the field, then you can't become a technician. If you can't become a technician, then you are not allowed the education to be a pharmacist. So, what is one to do to enter the profession?

Answer: The more marketable you are the more desirable you are to potential employers. There is a national pharmacy technician certification exam (PTCB) that you could take. You can buy study manuals at books stores like Barnes and Nobel or Borders (those who are certified also tend to make more). You may also consider looking out of state for pharmacy schools. I'm sure some states are more competitive than others. Another option is first taking a job as a store clerk in a chain pharmacy (Walgreens, CVS, Riteaid, etc). Then letting them know at the interview that you're interested in moving back to the pharmacy when a position opens up. Hope this helped. Good luck!

Question: How much does a non certified pharmacy technician in central Minnesota make? I am looking to work as a non certified pharmacy technician while going to college. The job I am being offered is part time (28 hours a week). I haven't been told how much I would make at that job, so I was wondering if anybody knew the average salary for someone who is a non certified pharmacy technician?

Answer: Try using the Salary Wizard at http://www.salary.com Also, http://www.payscale.com/research/US General Pharmacy Technician salary information: http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292052…

Question: How can you work as a pharmacy technician if you're an international student? In order to go to Pharmacy school, I need to have experiences in Pharmacy field, or work as a pharmacy technician. However, I am an international student which prevents me from working off-campus. So, what should I do now? I know that I need to have the pharmacy technician certificate before I can work.

Answer: Are you limited from working off campus because you need a visa? Please verify the work rules. If you can work off campus with your student visa status try working in any local pharmacy or hospital pharmacy. If you cannot work legally for pay then volunteer!

Question: How to become a successful Pharmacy Technician? I am in school to become a pharmacy technician. I am a little confused though. After I take and pass the exam do I need to get registered and licensed? Which one comes first? I am in California. I can't find some direct info on the order in which to do things. If anyone is a licensed, registered pharmacy technician in California please give me some advice!

Answer: In the state of california, if the course you are taking is accredited by the american society of health system pharmact (AHSP) or accredited by the American council on pharmaceutical education (ACPE) then you can automatically apply for your license. When your licensed then you can start working. But If your taking a course that is not accredited by any of the above you have to take the PTCB exam. But even if the course is accredited it still is a good idea to take the ptcb exam just to be certified. The difference there is that if your just licensed your recognized by the state. If your certified then your recognized nationally. (example you move next year to another state you can automatically apply for your license) This site here is everything you need to know: http://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/forms/tch_app…

Question: How long is the pharmacy technician program at everest college in illinois? Im moving and thinking about taking pharmacy tech courses... at the community college where i live now the program is only 3 months...... at everest college how long does the program take? Do you know of any other schools near Bridgeview, IL that offer pharmacy technician training?

Answer: Sometimes if you can find a job as a pharmacy technician before getting any training or experience, the company will pay to train you. That is probably your best bet. I don't think community college programs like that will really help you in the long run. Try applying for jobs at big chain pharmacies like Walgreens or CVS. If they hire you, they will train you on the job and even pay for you to take classes to become a Certified Technician. You will make the same amount of money, if not more, on the job than if you have taken classes yourself because now the company knows you were trained in the way they want their Techs trained.

Question: What is the best way to apply/get hired as a pharmacy technician? I'm 16 years old and a junior in the International Baccalaureate program (it is known for its incredibly rigorous curriculum). I applied to be a pharmacy technician online for CVS/Pharmacy and then went into the store I am hoping to be hired at and filled out the application again. As untrained and still in high school, are my chances of receiving the job slim? I read that CVS/Pharmacy is a company that provides room for growth; does that mean they are willing to hire fresh faces and train them from the start? What should I do next to promote my chances, if there is anything to do at all? If this does not work, in general what is the best way to approach becoming a pharmacy technician at my current age/experience? Thanks!

Answer: Becoming a pharmacy tech is a great precursor to becoming a pharmacist. In order to become a pharm tech, you'll need to get license. This involves you taking a class, passing the license test and getting a job with a company. There are a lot of pharm techs, so this field is saturated. However, this does not mean that you need to switch careers. You may opt to try to get into pharmacy school. Pharmacy has a lot of advantages. These are: 1) Takes less time to finish compared to med school 2) If you plan everything correctly you can graduate pharm school when you are only 23 years old 3) Starting salary is 75-150k depending on location and need 4) You do not have to deal with blood 5) You will finish faster than your medical school student counterparts 6) You will always have a job, even if you;re 99 year old 7) Most jobs are 9-5 meaning that you will get to have a family life 8) http://www.getintopharmacyschool.com CONS 1) Insurance - enough said 2) Dealing with patients (sometimes, the bad ones, suck)

Question: What is the difference between the pharmacy technician certificates? I want to go to a technical college to be a pharmacy technician. What's the difference between a Certificate of Technical Studies (CTS) and a Technical Competency Area (TCA)? I need to know so I can understand what courses I want.

Answer: You don't need any of that. All you need is the certificate from the PTCB, and the registration of whatever state you live in. I would avoid going to school for it. Either buy some books online and study them and take your test, or go work as a pharmacy technician trainee until you have enough hands-on experience to pass your test. There is no extra pay whatsoever for techs that go to school.

Question: How do I find a job as a pharmacy technician? How do I find a job as a pharmacy technician? Do I need to be licensed? Do I need to take pharmacy tech traning classes at a community college so that I can be a pharmacy technician? Do you know where I can volunteer for experience or even get paid for my experience? Can someone share? Thanks.

Answer: I am A Pharmacy Technician and I love it. I didn't have to take any classes and I got certfied though my workplace which is CVS. They help you train and understand what you need to know to become a pharmacy tech and what they are going to expect from you. They even pay for the National Pharmacy Technician Exam. The main test you have to worry about is the State exam. So you will have a job and getting paid at the same time. They also have training classes that oyu get paid for while you are training to become a pharmacy techician. What can CVS provide you as a pharmacy technician? Fully supportive training program CVS sponsored support of pharmacy technician certification board exam A work environment that enables you to be an integral part of the pharmacy team Competitive Pay

Question: What is the minimum age to be a pharmacy technician in the United States? A web link would be nice. I am 15 and want to work at Rite Aid as a Pharmacy technician.

Answer: It depends on the state. The minimum age is either 16 or 18.