Pharmacy Tech Job hype

I am retired and have a background in pharmacy and health care. I read how this is the fastest growing profession in the country and that how being certified would open many opportunities for techs, Well, at age 64, I passed the exam with almost a perfect score and can't get a job. One pharmacist told me that my certificate means nothing to him; it only means I passed a test. others hire college kids for an hour or two and pay them $7. Drug Fair wanted me to work at night for $9 an hour. you can make more than that flipping burgers at burger king. As far as the $17- $21 hourly wages; I don't think so. I live in northern NJ where the cost of living is quite high and a lot of the info out there shows techs in my area making the highest wages in the country.

Anyway, it's very disappointing. They really hyped this Tech thing up but I can't see any benefit from all my hard work

I totally agree the pay is horrible and it is not worth the time or effort to go to school for it. The best way to get a job is know someone in the pharmacy already. SOrry I hope you find a job soon.

Thanks Nicole; I appreciate your comments and support

Hey man that pharmacist you came in contact with is a total A$$hole if you ask me!!! I took my test in mid Aug of 07, wouldn't get my results back for a few weeks [I knew I passed,] but the hospital I applied for wouldn't let me start til they had those results. That test you passed means the WORLD in a hospital based setting. Around here in TN you can work at a Walgreens, Cvs or whatever retail wise, but they even want you to go get certified after 6 months!
And oh my gosh!! $9 an hour on night shift???? ABSURD! Tn's cost of living is a great deal lower than your states and I would NEVER EVER EVER work for that. Since you are certified, don't you dare take less than 12 bucks! I'm still not satisfied with my pay and I even have a 3rd shift diff.

If you need to know more specifics, feel free to email me. girlgerms@bellsouth.net

Girl Germs in Hixson, Tennessee said: Hey man that pharmacist you came in contact with is a total A$$hole if you ask me!!! I took my test in mid Aug of 07, wouldn't get my results back for a few weeks [I knew I passed,] but the hospital I applied for wouldn't let me start til they had those results. That test you passed means the WORLD in a hospital based setting. Around here in TN you can work at a Walgreens, Cvs or whatever retail wise, but they even want you to go get certified after 6 months!
And oh my gosh!! $9 an hour on night shift???? ABSURD! Tn's cost of living is a great deal lower than your states and I would NEVER EVER EVER work for that. Since you are certified, don't you dare take less than 12 bucks! I'm still not satisfied with my pay and I even have a 3rd shift diff.

If you need to know more specifics, feel free to email me. girlgerms@bellsouth.net

Thanks Girl Germs. yeah he is a dick! No I would never work for that kind of money either. I do have a couple of apps at hospitals, but so far, no response,
thanks for your feedback, I'll shoot you off an e-mail and we can discuss

I took the PTCB right out of tech school because it was a requirement for the PT program I was in. All of the jobs I've had did not require or seem to care if I was Certified. I let it expire a few years ago because I was a stay at home mother and didn't keep up with the CE and didn't feel like paying for the renewal fee. I don't really regret it though, most PT jobs out there focus on your experience primarily as opposed to certification and don't require it, only that you have your PT license pretty much.

I do agree that the RPh was pretty much a cheap-ass. I have never worked a PT job at such low pay. The only pay around here that offered around that much was for Pharmacy Clerks in retail. I've started off at per diem $17 per hr in an Inpatient Pharmacy and have also worked in Pharmacy Benefit Management company which I didn't like at all @ $16/hr or 33k per year.

Anyways, good luck in your job search, don't give up!

Marie in Los Angeles, California said: I took the PTCB right out of tech school because it was a requirement for the PT program I was in. All of the jobs I've had did not require or seem to care if I was Certified. I let it expire a few years ago because I was a stay at home mother and didn't keep up with the CE and didn't feel like paying for the renewal fee. I don't really regret it though, most PT jobs out there focus on your experience primarily as opposed to certification and don't require it, only that you have your PT license pretty much.

I do agree that the RPh was pretty much a cheap-ass. I have never worked a PT job at such low pay. The only pay around here that offered around that much was for Pharmacy Clerks in retail. I've started off at per diem $17 per hr in an Inpatient Pharmacy and have also worked in Pharmacy Benefit Management company which I didn't like at all @ $16/hr or 33k per year.

Anyways, good luck in your job search, don't give up!

I would love to work inpt pharmacy, but with no exp, its just
impossible...first off, most will hire employees within the
hospital first... if inside experianced employees see that
an outside non experianced was hired, there will be a fit.
I know I would throw a fit, if i saw a job that I had experiance
for, and applied for, and found out that an outside non-exp
person was hired, hell yes, I would throw a fit...

thats why its almost impossible to get into hospitals...they
hire within, if they cant find someone within, then it is posted...
I would say 99% of all internal jobs are taken before they are
even posted, or right after the job is posted.

Gerry in Wayne, New Jersey said: I am retired and have a background in pharmacy and health care. I read how this is the fastest growing profession in the country and that how being certified would open many opportunities for techs, Well, at age 64, I passed the exam with almost a perfect score and can't get a job. One pharmacist told me that my certificate means nothing to him; it only means I passed a test. others hire college kids for an hour or two and pay them $7. Drug Fair wanted me to work at night for $9 an hour. you can make more than that flipping burgers at burger king. As far as the $17- $21 hourly wages; I don't think so. I live in northern NJ where the cost of living is quite high and a lot of the info out there shows techs in my area making the highest wages in the country.

Anyway, it's very disappointing. They really hyped this Tech thing up but I can't see any benefit from all my hard work

Someone feed you a lot of #$%^...overall with your attitude of not working as a pharmacy tech for $9/hr, you never will...some people have this attitude that just because they have a background, 4 year degree, certified, or whatever, they think they will be starting out at
a very high pay rate...many people will get into this field, few will make it, and fewer then that may do very well in pay...people tend to think this is an easy money field, they do not realize that this it can be a very stressful job, and the pay can be lousy, and for most it will be...those that are making $18-20/hr or more probably have years of experiance behind them, and are very, very good at their jobs, more over, they probably did not complain when a $9/hr job did come along..you have to earn your ranks in this field. you have to be 100% right all the time, that 1% that you are not right, you may have just killed someone...if you are only 99.9% right, then you have failed as a PT.

Wow! do I sense some hostility in your comment? I probably was filling scripts before you were born and have a long history in pharmacy. I am retired now and looking to return to my first love, but, not at nine bucks an hour. I do understand the stress and hard work that the job entails and I do understand that starting at $18 will not happen, but, $9 an hour is just not commensurate with the level of knowledge and the stress of the job. That being said, you are right; I will never work as a tech, nor would I want to at that kind of wage.

Yes, I do have a lot of hostility in this particular field. I put a lot of time and money that could have been use in a better way, and 2 years later, I am still unmployeed, I am willing to work, I would gladly accept $9/hr to move up...in your case I am not sure, you have pharmacy exp? are you certified? The only real reason anyone should make $9/hr is if you have no exp and you are not certified...otherwise you should start about $12/hr and move up from there...maybe its your area, maybe its your age, maybe its your exp they do not want to pay for when they can hire children for dirt cheap...places that do pay more with experiance would be hospitals...I suppose you have applied for them too?

I used to drive a semi on a local level, I was paid $10/hr...do you think a truck driver driving a 80,000 pound load should only make
$10/hr while the company is making 1000's for the day. I agree, $9/10hr would never cut it in the real world...some have no choice but to take
what they can get, and be proud of $9/hr and work their way up, and out.

your retired, so why complain about $9/hr for a few months
until you find something better? its extra income...

I am certified and do have pharmacy experience, although it was a very long time ago. I also worked as a pharmaceutical salesman and regional sales manager in the industry.

Why can't you find employment? are you certified?

By the way, it was only one place that offered $9; the other places had no offers at all because of the fact that they pay kids even less than that and don't need me.

And just because some one is retired should not mean settling for a wage so low, that by the taxes are deducted, there is nothing left. As some one once said; it's not the money, it's the principle of the thing.

I hear you, I worked 3 years driving a truck for $10/hr, and it was not a 40 hour week either, by the time huge amount of taxes come out, there was very little left, since my wife was working, my pay was used for food, movies, misc bills, etc...

I am not certified, but have been thinking about it, MN does not
require you to be certified, only to be registered as a Pharmacy
Tech, which I am registered. I do volunteer in a pharmacy, but
I am not allowed to do much..

are you not working yet? or you still thinking about principle?

and I have not just applied for Pharmacy Tech, I have applied
for jobs of all ranges, cleaning, warehouse, office work...

I probably have the cleanest background on this planet, and
yet im treated like a crimminal...

john in Eden Prairie, Minnesota said: I hear you, I worked 3 years driving a truck for $10/hr, and it was not a 40 hour week either, by the time huge amount of taxes come out, there was very little left, since my wife was working, my pay was used for food, movies, misc bills, etc...

I am not certified, but have been thinking about it, MN does not
require you to be certified, only to be registered as a Pharmacy
Tech, which I am registered. I do volunteer in a pharmacy, but
I am not allowed to do much..

are you not working yet? or you still thinking about principle?

and I have not just applied for Pharmacy Tech, I have applied
for jobs of all ranges, cleaning, warehouse, office work...

I probably have the cleanest background on this planet, and
yet im treated like a crimminal...

I'm sorry that you are having trouble trying to do what you want and have an obvious love for. Don't think that you are being treated like a criminal. times are tough, the economy stinks and then there's the war. Hang in there, take a tech course or if you can, just take the test; I am glad I did. It still means you accomplished something.

As far as me, I really don't have to work; I just want to keep busy doing something I like. If it doesn't happen, it's not the worst thing in the world.

Don't get down on yourself. Keep plugging and something good will happen. I wish you well; good luck and keep me posted.

Gerry in Wayne, New Jersey said: I am retired and have a background in pharmacy and health care. I read how this is the fastest growing profession in the country and that how being certified would open many opportunities for techs, Well, at age 64, I passed the exam with almost a perfect score and can't get a job. One pharmacist told me that my certificate means nothing to him; it only means I passed a test. others hire college kids for an hour or two and pay them $7. Drug Fair wanted me to work at night for $9 an hour. you can make more than that flipping burgers at burger king. As far as the $17- $21 hourly wages; I don't think so. I live in northern NJ where the cost of living is quite high and a lot of the info out there shows techs in my area making the highest wages in the country.

Anyway, it's very disappointing. They really hyped this Tech thing up but I can't see any benefit from all my hard work

You better believe its hype. I feel real sorry for those that have paid for 2 years of school. Total waste of precious time and money.

john in Eden Prairie, Minnesota said: Someone feed you a lot of #$%^...overall with your attitude of not working as a pharmacy tech for $9/hr, you never will...some people have this attitude that just because they have a background, 4 year degree, certified, or whatever, they think they will be starting out at
a very high pay rate...many people will get into this field, few will make it, and fewer then that may do very well in pay...people tend to think this is an easy money field, they do not realize that this it can be a very stressful job, and the pay can be lousy, and for most it will be...those that are making $18-20/hr or more probably have years of experiance behind them, and are very, very good at their jobs, more over, they probably did not complain when a $9/hr job did come along..you have to earn your ranks in this field. you have to be 100% right all the time, that 1% that you are not right, you may have just killed someone...if you are only 99.9% right, then you have failed as a PT.[/QUOTE

Hi John,
I have 19 years and know retail (every little stinking bit) like the back of my hand. I still have not seen 18-20. If you have let me know and if you are tell your boss I'll cover for your vacations. REALLY, I WILL.

theangrytech in fergus falls, Minnesota said:
Hi John,
I have 19 years and know retail (every little stinking bit) like the back of my hand. I still have not seen 18-20. If you have let me know and if you are tell your boss I'll cover for your vacations. REALLY, I WILL.

You probably will never see that pay scale in retail, and if anyone is making that much per hour, then they have been at the hospital for a while, or they are making it with overtime. I do not really like retail. I would prefer infusion, but again without the experiance factor, everyone will just ignore you.

Well ... this was an experience in and of itself for me. I inquired about a PT program here in NJ. Before diving in, I googled "what kind of pay will I expect?" I sort of knew the answer before I got it. There is NO way I can work for that kind of money. I wouldn't be able to survive. The times are tough and any potential employer should think twice before hiring KIDS without real experience versus the opposite. I've taken jobs where I was set back hundreds a week but felt that it was the right thing to do at the time. That's where I am today. I am happy to be working but have decided to go forward and get certified as a medical transciptionist. I can do this at my own pace and will make a good pay when I land a job in the field.

I am sorry to hear about the garbage people have gone through with the PT field. Don't give up. The job you want is out there.

I have had national certification and state license since 2004. I also have medical terminology background, medical billing beginner certificate. About three years ago I even worked in a narcotics vault without being certified. I am up to date on my continuing education, my license etc. I still cannot find technician job even at 9 or 10 a hour. Any suggestions are welcome.

I think it's harder to find a PT job nowadays because the field is flooded. With all those commercials offering the program, that makes just as much more competition. With Pharmacy, whatever field you have experience in, it usually stays that way. I'd prefer inpatient but I've incurred so much Insurance experience now, those are the only places that call me. It isnt the greatest but at least the pay is decent compared to retail and your hours are pretty normal M-F.

wonderingif- I don't know if you have any major health insurance companies near you but you can try that route, the best way is to start in Member Services then you can move up into the Pharmacy dept due to the experience you gain.

and I definitely agree that PT is overrated. It's a good stepping stone per se, but I would never suggest to someone to stop continuing or not pursue a college education. I think working in this field motivated me even more to continue my college ed because I definitely don't want to do this forever and for sure doesn't make enough to live off of forever.

john in Eden Prairie, Minnesota said: I would love to work inpt pharmacy, but with no exp, its just
impossible...first off, most will hire employees within the
hospital first... if inside experianced employees see that
an outside non experianced was hired, there will be a fit.
I know I would throw a fit, if i saw a job that I had experiance
for, and applied for, and found out that an outside non-exp
person was hired, hell yes, I would throw a fit...

thats why its almost impossible to get into hospitals...they
hire within, if they cant find someone within, then it is posted...
I would say 99% of all internal jobs are taken before they are
even posted, or right after the job is posted.

What's a good way to get into the hospital then? Are entry-level jobs posted like housekeeping or do those go to family/friends of workers

john in Eden Prairie, Minnesota said: I would love to work inpt pharmacy, but with no exp, its just
impossible...first off, most will hire employees within the
hospital first... if inside experianced employees see that
an outside non experianced was hired, there will be a fit.
I know I would throw a fit, if i saw a job that I had experiance
for, and applied for, and found out that an outside non-exp
person was hired, hell yes, I would throw a fit...

thats why its almost impossible to get into hospitals...they
hire within, if they cant find someone within, then it is posted...
I would say 99% of all internal jobs are taken before they are
even posted, or right after the job is posted.

Where I work, a lot of the PT have NO experiece - they're hired right off the street! I think a course w/ IV hood training should be mandatory to work in a hospital.

john in Eden Prairie, Minnesota said: Someone feed you a lot of #$%^...overall with your attitude of not working as a pharmacy tech for $9/hr, you never will...some people have this attitude that just because they have a background, 4 year degree, certified, or whatever, they think they will be starting out at
a very high pay rate...many people will get into this field, few will make it, and fewer then that may do very well in pay...people tend to think this is an easy money field, they do not realize that this it can be a very stressful job, and the pay can be lousy, and for most it will be...those that are making $18-20/hr or more probably have years of experiance behind them, and are very, very good at their jobs, more over, they probably did not complain when a $9/hr job did come along..you have to earn your ranks in this field. you have to be 100% right all the time, that 1% that you are not right, you may have just killed someone...if you are only 99.9% right, then you have failed as a PT.

If you went to school, and haven't been employed as a tech since, how do you know how stressful the job is? Somehow, I feel there may be more reasons for not getting hired than meets the eye...