"Why becoming a certified pharmacy technician is not worth your time"

The biggest grip I have with the pharmacy technician field is that its so misleading to people. Most people are sold a bill of goods about this field thinking that once they complete a pharmacy technician training program or course they will have a real rewarding career. However this is not the case. I will tell you why ?

First, let's start off with the definition of a pharmacy technician. I will translate this title so it's easily understood. Pharmacy technician = Pharmacy aide/assistant/slave to the pharmacist on duty, by this I mean you will end up doing the grunt work of a pharmacist.

For example, counting pills, anwsering phones, entering prescription data into the computer, performing drive thru service, stocking the pharmacy with bottles, caps, bags,etc and ringing of the register.

I just outlined the main job duties associated with this field along with standing on your feet for 6 -8 hours a day.

You will deal with sick/angry/rude customers, let me translate another keyword. The word fast-paced environment means high stress, just so you are aware of that catch phrase.

Secondly, lets talk about the salary, thats right the measly salary they want to pay you for all this gruntwork.

Starting salaries:

$9.00 - $10.00 an hour for unexperienced, unlicensed pharmacy technicians

$11.00 - $12.00 an hour for certified/registered pharmacy technicians.

When you really think about it, isn't this what unskilled labor earns and this is without all the paperwork such as sitting for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam and registering with the state you want to practice in.

Think about the salary long and hard, it's under $20.00 an hour with no room for advancement. Trust me you can't raise a family off of pharmacy technician wages.

Nevertheless support yourself without working insane hours. In most states you need to earn at least $15.00 an hour to afford health benefits and barely support yourself.

I had a question. I was a patient of bipolar disease. It is chronic disease . In the license application there is a question " Do you have any chronic mental disease , in this situation can i get the license.

dotcom in Boston, Massachusetts said: brown dude thanks for laying it down for me. I just spoke to a woman from Kaplan today about the pharm tech online program they offer. She told me they get 2500 applicants a year and only accept 200. After a hour long phone interview she told me I would be accepted in the program at a cost of about 3500. She made the job seam so appealing and told me techs can make about 20-25/hr. It seams that this conflicts with what you have divulged. Thanks for laying down the truth, I was seriously considering it.

Sorry for replying to this post so late. I have seen a lot Kaplan Career Centers around the city of Boston lately. Honestly, I would suggest that you skip the pharmacy technician career path for a much better paying career field. I believe Kaplan is buying up a lot of vocational training facilities around the Boston area.

However, if you’re really interested in a career in the medical field try and seek out a solid 2 year community college program such as a radiology technician, surgical technician, and biomedical laboratory technician. Check out Mass Bay Community College they have a short 2 year degree program in Biomedical Laboratory Technician. It seems solid. As far as being a pharmacy technician this career gets very repetitive after 1 -2 years.

Looking back I wish I never traveled down this career path. I ended up becoming a certified/registered pharmacy technician, but honestly I regret it. I started out in the retail sector via CVS/Pharmacy and you really don’t want to work retail anywhere. For most of the pharmacy technicians 70 – 75% of the pharmacy technician positions are in retail. Too many horror stories eventually you will get frustrated from the low pay, ingrate pharmacist attitudes, and customer aggravation.

dotcom in Boston, Massachusetts said: brown dude thanks for laying it down for me. I just spoke to a woman from Kaplan today about the pharm tech online program they offer. She told me they get 2500 applicants a year and only accept 200. After a hour long phone interview she told me I would be accepted in the program at a cost of about 3500. She made the job seam so appealing and told me techs can make about 20-25/hr. It seams that this conflicts with what you have divulged. Thanks for laying down the truth, I was seriously considering it.

Can’t tell you how many aspiring pharmacy technicians I have seen just go on lunch break and never return lost count over the years. If I had to do it all over again I think the best path would be to go the 2 year community college route. In the long run you are better prepared and you will have earned the college credits to further your education should you choose to

. I know that radiology technicians earn double what a starting pharmacy technician makes and there’s a shortage of qualified biomedical laboratory technicians. Unlike pharmacy technicians which are a dime a dozen. No formal education is required by Massachusetts law. All it takes for you to become a certified pharmacy technician in the state of Massachusetts is to sit and pass the national pharmacy technician exam at www.ptcb.org ,so save your money and don’t waste it on that Kaplan Pharmacy Technician Training Program.

Enroll in a local community college and train for something much better. Right now I am at the point where I have to return to college in order to train for better paying career. Just cannot make it on these low wages as a pharmacy technician.

-Good Luck

hi, I'm actually an undergrad at the moment who is trying pursue an education in pharmacy. should i become a pharmacy technician to better my chances of getting admitted to pharmacy school? if so, how would i go on to become a pharmacy technician?

-Thanks

Lindsay P. in Fort Worth, Texas said: hi all, i was wondering if there was anyone who has taken the TEXAS state ptcb exam? i am studying for it now. I have applyed for some jobs already as noncertified but of course have not got anything from it. But once i am certified i will not take less than 14 an hour. is that bad? any input will be greatly apprectiated..

In these recession times, especially in Texas, where pharmacy technicians are a dime a dozen, don't expect them to pay you 14.00 an hr just because your certified. Lower your price range, then maybe you'll get calls.

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I know that this may be a little different because of the category. But the one thing that I have experienced is those who say GPA means something are wrong. Yeah, sure just because your GPA is high that makes a difference. No it doesn't. If anything employers think they know it all and someone who has experience is better. I already have a formal education and a perfect 4.0. But do I get a chance at anything. Nope. Just because I haven't held a certain title or haven't had a chance I don't get a chance. The world is full of favoritism and employers who don't know what their doing when trying to find people for the job. GPA means nothing. If so then I would be doing something because of my 4.0. Just thank God if you get a chance to do anything.

nick1 in Michigan said: oh boo hoo. Cry, Cry, Cry. I can understand the point about the cost not being worth it. But oh well. So you get 9 or 10 dollars. At least it something crybaby. Try being someone who isn't working and has a home. 9 or 10 dollars would be like a gift. Obviously you don't know what it's like when there's a chance of everything being taken away from you. When you not doing anything, any job will work to save yourself. Try being in my position and see if you feel the same way.

oh boo hoo your self !!!!!!!!!!!!! for you information i know exactly what your talking about. I have two kids and im going thru a divorce so yes i need the dang money to support my kids. All you want to do is sit back and cry about life being unfair. YES IT IS! GROW UP AND GET OVER IT. try thinking next time you want to spout off to someone you dont even know about something you have no idea whats going on in there life...........

Lindsay P. in Fort Worth, Texas said: oh boo hoo your self !!!!!!!!!!!!! for you information i know exactly what your talking about. I have two kids and im going thru a divorce so yes i need the dang money to support my kids. All you want to do is sit back and cry about life being unfair. YES IT IS! GROW UP AND GET OVER IT. try thinking next time you want to spout off to someone you dont even know about something you have no idea whats going on in there life...........

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Man I just found out that Bakersfield Adult School is no longer doing the pharmacy technician program which stinks because they say the reason why they are stopping their program is because they had to cut that program out becuase it wasn't in thier budget so they had to let it go which another women gave me a different story and said that there were too many applicants by the time they were all graduating and there wern't enough jobs hmmm I think I will go with the first lady that I talked to that sounds more believable because why would they care if it was hard for us to find a job after they have already trained us that doesn't make sense but the budget cut makes more sense to me what do you guys think ??? But I think I am going to look more into Radiologic Technology I heard it's a lot of fun and the process is more hands on :)

Hello everybody
I would like to know that getting certified in pharmacy tech requires schools' hours and credits or simply just take the PTCB exam and done with it ? Thanks

In most cases “no formal education” is required at this time in order to become a pharmacy technician.

However, I have read upcoming state laws which might require pharmacy technicians to be certified/registered before one can practice. I know this is the case for Florida, pharmacy technicians in that state will be required to be certified before they can be hired as a requirement by 2010.

Becoming a certified technician fulfills the law that enables you to work in a hospital setting. You can become certified by passing the National Pharmacy Technician Exam at www.ptcb.org. Whatever you choose to do find a way to pass this test, it will open up a lot of other pharmaceutical opportunities and allow you to register with your state board of pharmacy in a fast way.

However, lacking hospital experience is a critical factor in getting hired as a hospital pharmacy technician. Furthermore, the only way you can get this critical hospital experience is to volunteer as a hospital pharmacy technician. Stay away from the retail pharmacy setting as it is injurious to your career as a freshman pharmacy technician.

There is too much gossip, high stress level, and low pay within the retail sector of pharmacy. It’s not worth the experience. Your learning opportunities working in retail pharmacy such as CVS/Pharmacy, Walgreen’s, Targets, etc, will be limited and not a rewarding experience. However, this is the route most freshman pharmacy technicians who are not certified/registered take in order to enter the field.

The state law requirements for pharmacy technicians can vary from state to state so you should read up on your state board of pharmacy laws. According, to what you posted it appears you live in Tennessee so go here for more info health.state.tn.us/boards/Pharmacy/index.shtml

-Good Luck

Hey
I'm a senior in my undergrad in neurobio. and was woundering if anyone would think working as a cert. pharm tech would give me some good experience and help me understand pharmacology, due to the fact that i would like to go to grad school for pharmacology, and other than school lab classes i dont have any experience working in a lab-like enviornment??
thanks for any response

hqa035 in San Antonio, Texas said: Hey
I'm a senior in my undergrad in neurobio. and was woundering if anyone would think working as a cert. pharm tech would give me some good experience and help me understand pharmacology, due to the fact that i would like to go to grad school for pharmacology, and other than school lab classes i dont have any experience working in a lab-like enviornment??
thanks for any response

I don't think it's gonna help you much. I was thinking the test part of pharmacology section is not well written in ptcb exam.

I have a question.,@browndude34.. so, i should take the national certification first then apply for state license?

bless in Modesto, California said: I have a question.,@browndude34.. so, i should take the national certification first then apply for state license?

You should register and sit for the national pharmacy technician exam when you are fully prepared for the exam. By being prepared I mean you should have a book to study for this exam in order to pass the PTCE exam. Delmar’s Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Review by Patricia K. Anthony is the definitive textbook when it comes to passing this exam. Here is a link to Google Books so you can preview the book before you buy:

books.google.com/books?id=fhd2Q8ANlZAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=delmars+pharmacy+technician+exam+review#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Also, passing the national certification exam is not the only way to obtain a pharmacy technician license. However, once you pass the exam it kills 2 birds with one stone. Not only do you become nationally certified. Moreover, in most cases it should supersede all the requirements in order to apply for a license as a pharmacy technician in most states.

-Good Luck

bless in Modesto, California said: I have a question.,@browndude34.. so, i should take the national certification first then apply for state license?

Click on this link below it has more specific information pertaining to the registration requirements of a California based pharmacy technician.

www.pharmacy.ca.gov/forms/tch_app_pkt.pdf

-Good Luck

I am thinking of attempting the pharmacy tech course however my math is poor is there a possibility I could still pass

yes cause the math is not that hard

WHALEA in Daytona Beach, Florida said: I am thinking of attempting the pharmacy tech course however my math is poor is there a possibility I could still pass

A lot of people have what I call “Math Phobia”, you shouldn’t be intimidated by the math on the PTCE exam if you purchase the Delmar’s Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination textbook by Patricia K Anthony it has the sample math problems that you will find on the examination as well as a step by step way to work out the problems found on the national pharmacy technician exam..

The examination is multiple choices so your chances of making an educated guess are strongly in your favor. Nowadays, everyone appears to be afraid of math. Why I think it’s because most people have the fear of failing. However, every time you fail it’s really a learning lesson. It should teach you to become stronger and to try a different approach until you accomplish your goal.

The math on the PTCE Examination can’t kill you. So what if you fail? I failed on my first attempt of the PTCE Exam and this was without preparation. I did my research and found the textbook modeled after the exam and on my second attempt I was much better prepared and passed the examination.

As long as you manage to score above 650 you passed the examination and the certification required by most states is complete. Do not worry about achieving phenomenally high scores on the PTCE examination. Phenomenally high scores on the PTCE exam do not translate to more money, etc. No employer will ask for your PTCE examination scores.

Prospective employers want to see that wallet sized card with the certifications numbers when you pass the exam.

-Good Luck

I have a BA degree in Business and I am having horrible luck finding a Full-time job. I am using the pharm tech certification as a foot into the door until I can finish my pre-requsite courses to enter in Pharmacy School to become a pharmacist. Instead of concentrating on becoming a pharmacy tech and letting that be you end all career, I would encourage those that are certified pharm techs to look into becoming pharmacists. There still is a shortage and you can be working towards a greater goal than just settling for just a certification. Think of the bigger picture. The easiest road isn't always the best. I'm learning that the hard way. Stay encouraged and Best of Luck!!

I have my BSBA in pharmaceutical business and it took me 6 months to find a full time job. Luckily, during that time I was able to teach two part time classes so I had some income coming in. I taught a certified pharmacy tech class and a pharmacology course. I have worked at both Walgreens and Kmart pharmacy. Certified pharmacy techs can make a lot of money and some really do! But, if you want to make a career out of being a pharmacy tech you really need to get into the hospital setting, or a long term care pharmacy, or even nursing homes have on staff pharmacy. But, yes, the pay for retail does suck, but most retail jobs don't make a lot of money. I worked retail when I was in pharmacy school and I like it. I know the certified tech had been there 5 years or so and she was making around $16 a new tech started there with no experience and no certification, and she was started out at $9 or $9.50. But, it is hard to find a full time job in retail too just because most pharmacies will have 4 or 5 part time techs. But, I do know a pharmacy tech without certification who is full time. The pay also depends on the area too and the company. If you are going to be a certified tech you need to open up your options to other areas of the pharmacy world and not just retail and hospital.

Hello! I just gave my certified exam to my students and there was very few math problems on there. Most of was conversions. You need to know what a grain is for sure. It was on there like 3 times.
But the problems I taught in class were more complex then what was on the exam.

I just wanted to add a couple of employment related links to help others apply for funding to further their education. Since the pharmacy technician compensation for the most part is inadequate for most people’s living standard. By this I mean the wages are non-livable wages. The average pharmacy technician with certification/licensure should be employed making $15.00 an hour to start.

However, I read a post on this forum by another entity who stated that because no formal education was a requirement for most pharmacy technicians the wages would continue to remain low. This is probably a very true statement. You can read many of the threads in this forum and find many certified/licensed pharmacy technicians who are unemployed and looking for an employment as a pharmacy technician in a career field which:

1. Doesn’t pay livable wages
2. High stress
3. The market is glutted with unemployed pharmacy technicians

For every pharmacy technician opening there are 6 people applying for that same position. Keep in my mind we are in the deepest recession of the last 25 years. Also, it took 10 – 15 years for the U.S Economy to get out of the last Depression. So just add on 15 years to 2009 and you come up with a potential recovery period for the U.S Economy, which would be 2024.

I was only interested in being a pharmacy tech because I want to become a pharmacist one day and I think this will be a good stepping stone and good experience since my GPA won't be one of the highest when I apply to Pharmacy School after I graduate. If I don't get in I will still have my bachelors degree.

My point is I don't think being a pharmacy technician makes a good career. Going through thread after thread in this forum is proof of that. I hope people see these threads and do the research before setting their minds on this as a career path.

There is a little hope however. A friend of mine interviewed with a hospital here where the starting pay was $17prn $20overtime. The qualifications was just HS Diploma, 1yr experience, and certification. I imagine the salary there for Part-time and full-time would probably be around the same amount. Not all pharmacy technician positions are incredibly terrible it depends on where you work and who you know.

Sara in Aurora, Illinois said:

Certified pharmacy techs can make a lot of money and some really do! But, if you want to make a career out of being a pharmacy tech you really need to get into the hospital setting, or a long term care pharmacy, or even nursing homes have on staff pharmacy. But, yes, the pay for retail does suck, but most retail jobs don't make a lot of money. I worked retail when I was in pharmacy school and I like it. I know the certified tech had been there 5 years or so and she was making around $16 a new tech started there with no experience and no certification, and she was started out at $9 or $9.50. But, it is hard to find a full time job in retail too just because most pharmacies will have 4 or 5 part time techs. But, I do know a pharmacy tech without certification who is full time. The pay also depends on the area too and the company. If you are going to be a certified tech you need to open up your options to other areas of the pharmacy world and not just retail and hospital.

I agree.

CC in Cleveland, Ohio said: I have a BA degree in Business and I am having horrible luck finding a Full-time job. I am using the pharm tech certification as a foot into the door until I can finish my pre-requsite courses to enter in Pharmacy School to become a pharmacist. Instead of concentrating on becoming a pharmacy tech and letting that be you end all career, I would encourage those that are certified pharm techs to look into becoming pharmacists. There still is a shortage and you can be working towards a greater goal than just settling for just a certification. Think of the bigger picture. The easiest road isn't always the best. I'm learning that the hard way. Stay encouraged and Best of Luck!!

Hi CC-

Thanks for your words of encouragement to all interested pharm techs/ future pharmacists. As far as certification is concerned, Lakeland College just started running a pharmacy technician training program to prepare students for entry level work and certification. If you know of anyone interested in becoming a pharm tech, feel free to forward them to Lakeland College's continuing education department at www.lakelandcc.edu/ce.

This is a comment for Lakeland in Ohio. I am actually working with Lakeland right now with their pharmacy technician program. They actually might be offering a second class in the future and I am looking to hire an instructor for it. I can hire a pharmacist, a student in their last year of pharmacy school, or a certified pharmacy tech. Let me know if anyone in the Cleveland area is interested in teaching. The pay for a certified tech is $20-28/hour depending on experience. And for a pharmacist $45-47 hour. You can email me your resume at sarah@mrxicorp.com

Currently unemployed, ive been kicking around the idea of going to school for Pharmacy Tech for the past couple months. Met with a lady at Kaplin college, and someone at another college.
I stopped in a couple stores yesterday with pharmacies in them and talked to some of the workers. At Meijer, they told me that they never hire in any techs who have went to school. When they need someone to fill a opening they just promote someone from the store itself over to the pharmacy area and train them.
Seriously, after asking around at different pharmacies and talking to people online i feel that this is just not right for me.
So many of these training programs are popping up to train people in new careers, and so many of them are simply scams. Around 3 years ago i went to school for around a year for HVAC, it led to absolutely nothing. Here i have this nice certificate yet no HVAC company will touch me simply because i have no on the job experience. To them experience counts more than school, yet they wont give me a shot because i have no experience. So how is someone suppose to get experience? Its the ultimate catch 22.
My point is that no matter what the career training program is related to, do your homework before you sign on the dotted line and hand some school your money.

Naboo in Dayton, Ohio said: Currently unemployed, ive been kicking around the idea of going to school for Pharmacy Tech for the past couple months. Met with a lady at Kaplin college, and someone at another college.

Don't waste your time going to a pharmacy tech school. Pharmacies would rather hire a tech with experience. People (some, not all) who go to the schools het an attitude that they know a lot more than they really do when they get out and don't end up getting hired. If you are serious about becoming a tech, which I do not recommend, apply at every pharmacy you can. You can get a tech trainee license and then you will have to become certified within 2 years. You will gain a lot of experience in a pharmacy rather than in a classroom, they are such a waste of money!!! You can take a class that will prepare you for the Pharmacy Exam for around $200. Also there are a lot of books online that you can buy, I believe someone else has one listed above. But FYI, the exam changes, there are several versions given at once, there were 8 versions given when I took it! But most of what you need to know will be learned on the job! Best of luck in your future endeavors!

I HAVE TO DISAGRRE WITH ALOT OF PEOPLE'S NEGATIVITY TOWARDS THE PHARM TECH FIELD, I PERSONALLY WOULDN'T MAKE A CAREER OUT OF IT, BUT FOR A FULL TIME COLLEGE STUDENT WORKING PART TIME, THE MONEY IS BETTER THAN MOST JOBS OFFERED TO COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO NEED FLEXIBLE HOURS. AND AS FOR THE BEST PAYING PHARMACY CHAIN, WALGREENS PAYS THEIR TECHS REALLY WELL, I'M 22, NATIONALLY CERTIFIED, AND I MAKE $18.25 AN HOUR, AND I'VE ONLY BEEN WITH THE COMPANY SINCE '07, WHERE I STARTED OUT AT $11.50, BUT GOT BUMPED UP TO $13.75 ONCE I PASSED MY NATIONAL BOARD TEST. ALSO, THEY PAY FOR YOU TO TAKE THE NATIONAL BOARD TEST, THEY'LL PAY FOR UP TO 3 TRIES, AND THEY PAY FOR YOUR STATE LISCENCE RENEWAL, AND HAVE FREE CE'S (CONTINUING EDUCATION) FOR YOU WHEN YOU NEED THE CREDITS FOR YOUR NATIONAL BOARD RENEWAL. AND AS FAR AS PEOPLE FREAKING OUT ABOUT THE NATIONAL BOARD TEST, THAT TEST IS SO SIMPLE IF YOU'VE TAKEN THE CLASS AND DONE SOME EXTERNSHIP HOURS. ALL YOU NEED IS A 650 AND THE GRADING SCALE IS 300-900, SO IN REALITY, YOU NEED TO GET 350 OUT OF A 600 POINT TEST, THATS 58%, THAT'S LESS THAN A "D" BY REGULAR STANDARDS. SERIOUSLY, ITS NOT A BIG DEAL.

AND ANOTHER THING, YOU WORK IN CLOSE QUARTERS WITH YOUR CO-WORKERS SO YOU CAN CHIT-CHAT AND TALK WHILE YOU WORK TO MAKE THE DAYS A BIT MORE PLEASENT, YOU BUILD ACTUAL FRIENDSHIPS WITH YOU'RE CO-WORKERS

JOEY1296 in Salinas, California said: I HAVE TO DISAGRRE WITH ALOT OF PEOPLE'S NEGATIVITY TOWARDS THE PHARM TECH FIELD, I PERSONALLY WOULDN'T MAKE A CAREER OUT OF IT, BUT FOR A FULL TIME COLLEGE STUDENT WORKING PART TIME, THE MONEY IS BETTER THAN MOST JOBS OFFERED TO COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO NEED FLEXIBLE HOURS. AND AS FOR THE BEST PAYING PHARMACY CHAIN, WALGREENS PAYS THEIR TECHS REALLY WELL, I'M 22, NATIONALLY CERTIFIED, AND I MAKE $18.25 AN HOUR, AND I'VE ONLY BEEN WITH THE COMPANY SINCE '07, WHERE I STARTED OUT AT $11.50, BUT GOT BUMPED UP TO $13.75 ONCE I PASSED MY NATIONAL BOARD TEST. ALSO, THEY PAY FOR YOU TO TAKE THE NATIONAL BOARD TEST, THEY'LL PAY FOR UP TO 3 TRIES, AND THEY PAY FOR YOUR STATE LISCENCE RENEWAL, AND HAVE FREE CE'S (CONTINUING EDUCATION) FOR YOU WHEN YOU NEED THE CREDITS FOR YOUR NATIONAL BOARD RENEWAL. AND AS FAR AS PEOPLE FREAKING OUT ABOUT THE NATIONAL BOARD TEST, THAT TEST IS SO SIMPLE IF YOU'VE TAKEN THE CLASS AND DONE SOME EXTERNSHIP HOURS. ALL YOU NEED IS A 650 AND THE GRADING SCALE IS 300-900, SO IN REALITY, YOU NEED TO GET 350 OUT OF A 600 POINT TEST, THATS 58%, THAT'S LESS THAN A "D" BY REGULAR STANDARDS. SERIOUSLY, ITS NOT A BIG DEAL.

Did you go to school for pharmacy tech? If not what book did you study off?

Now I have a question. If I'm unemployed but use to work at a pharmacy as an assistant and want to apply at a pharmacy, but has an expired registration number, how would i go about getting renewed? or does that mean, Im out of luck and shouldn't even consider assistant unless if Im taking classes for it. Please let me know. Prefer via email moe_vang@yahoo.com. Thanks for the help in advance!

febbaby78 in New Bedford, Massachusetts said: If you work at CVS you would have saved $990.00 by utilyzing the training program.

Well I did work at CVS/Pharmacy; this is not a good company for an aspiring pharmacy technician to start out. I paid money out of pocket for a pharmacy technician training program at the Health Training Center in Cambridge, Ma, which in my opinion was far better then the training provided at CVS/Pharmacy.

However, there’s more than just graduating from a pharmacy technician program or receiving training from CVS/Pharmacy. It’s necessary to become “Certified” by passing the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam sponsored by www.ptcb.org. Because no formal education is required for this profession. It’s essential that you pass this examination by whatever means you prefer to prepare for this examination, there are many options to prepare for this exam. I can only tell you what worked for me.

This was the Delmar’s Learning’s Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Review by Patricia K. Anthony. You can preview this book on Google books books.google.com/books?id=fhd2Q8ANlZAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Delmar's+Learning's+Pharmacy+Technician+Certification+Exam+Review+by+Patricia+K.+Anthony&cd=1#v=onepage&q=Delmar's%20Learning's%20Pharmacy%20Technician%20Certification%20Exam%20Review%20by%20Patricia%20K.%20Anthony&f=false before purchasing once the obstacle of the national PTCE Exam is overcome by studying the practices problems from the book I mentioned above. Your next step is to contact your state board of pharmacy and fill out the necessary paperwork in order to apply for a pharmacy technician license.

febbaby78 in New Bedford, Massachusetts said: If you work at CVS you would have saved $990.00 by utilyzing the training program.

In couple of weeks providing you have no felony convictions and no pending cases against you should receive your license/registration with the board of pharmacy in your state. Also, if you want to receive I.V certification, enroll in a 1 year program at your local community college, most community colleges have Phlebotomy Certificate programs that will allow you to become I.V certified via their Phlebotomy Certificate program.

Furthermore, try and skip the retail pharmacy technician experience if you can. If you want to get retail experience I would suggest working 1 -2 days a week no more. You should concentrate on gaining hospital experience as a pharmacy technician this is far more valuable, this is also were the money is at and you can accomplish this by arranging a meeting with the volunteer coordinator and the pharmacy manager at your local hospital and explain that your interested in gaining hospital experience.

Volunteer your time for at least 6 months to 1 year and you will gain the knowledge, skills, and experience to pursue other open pharmacy technician positions which actually provide a salary.

-Good Luck

Hey brown dude, I'm going to a school ($1,100)that has the books and certification test costs included, so Health Training Center in Cambridge, Ma doesn't sound too great because even books, license and the test are included in the community colleges' cost($799-$1300) where I live. I don't even want to make a career out of medicine, I'm just doing this while I go to college because retail sucks because their rules and bureaucracy force you to live like a slave so they can have a high turnover rate(so they can always pay employees minimum wage) and has no employment security whatso ever. I've been laid off twice in retail and fired,(per a flawed point system) one time because I was tardy 6 times (no call offs or absences) over a course of 1 year. In my opinion, you have to take anyone's opinion here with a grain of salt because you have to consider the fact that every place in the USA isn't the same there's dynamics to consider such as cost of living, minimum wage, big cities vs rural areas, availability of jobs, etc. Opinions on here are good but people shouldn't solely depend on them.

I have to argree with Joey. I also wouldn't make a career out of it, but I'm 20, just got hired at CVS and the pay is good. Also, they pay for your certification and books. Like everyone says, it is a high stress job, but personally I love all that. It's not for everyone. Basically, if you cant deal with medicated people, and this includes druggies, whinny elderly, crazy ladies and their birth control, depressed people of all ages etc etc etc, then don't go in the field. If you don't have patience, if you can't work fast, if you don't like helping people, then don't go into the field. I love my job, and can't wait till I'm certified. I hope to start pharmacy school in the fall.

hi

hi

I have the highest praises for education and certification of the pharmacy technician. The career can be a stepping stone to other rewarding work within the pharmaceutical umbrella. Mail order is a good place to work or specialty. There are advancement opportunities. You can become management and make $100K or more! I am living proof.

D'Byrd in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida said: I agree with Andrea, just put down your minimum salary requirements on your application, if they need you bad enough,they'll hire you,otherwise you have nothing to lose.
A thought** Many Nursing Homes use a CMA/CMT "Certified Medication Assistant" With your CPhT you could probably challange the state exam and work as a medication assistant.The job would be far more rewarding as you will actually be giving the patients their meds.Just a thought. I did that while in LPN school and it paid a fair wage.

I make more as a pharmacy tech than i did when i was licensed as a medication aide

bless in Modesto, California said: I have a question.,@browndude34.. so, i should take the national certification first then apply for state license?

Okay let's quit compaining about being Certified, it is a feather in your cap, and that's it. I am a PharmD but was a tech for 20 year prior to going to Pharmacy school, I passed that exam without help from Kaplan or taking a class, granted I worked in a hospital, but in reality if you are a tech this is your goal, or it should be. I worked in retail as well to start off, then went to hospital and finally to home health, where when I left i was making 22/ hr and that was back in 97. Many people who want to go to pharmacy school, become certified to get into hospital to get hands on experince with emergency drugs.
But don't expect Community Pharmacy to pay you more, when they can pay you less. It is the nature of that beast. There is very little profit to be made behind the counter in pharmacy, and with retail having to pay Pharmacisst 100K+, they have little wiggle room for increases for techs, not when every cashier at WalMart wants to work in the pharmacy.
Technicians play a vital role, and are drastically underpayed, but until SBOP recognize that all Technicians should have an AS + Certs to be back behind the counter, don't exp[ect any changes.
And if you are really unhhappy being a tech, Go back to school. You are in charge of your destiny not some chain.

I have been a Certified Tech since 2003 and a tech for a total of 9 years now. I work for a major retailer (that shall be nameless here, but I think you can figure it out) I make about $2 more per hour than average for this area (thanks to a generous boss and becoming certified when she still had the option of rewarding it with a raise) -and still I barely make enough to support myself.

I cannot imagine any other job in a medical field where having someone's life in your hands (which we do!) pays SO LITTLE for SO MUCH STRESS!!!

THIS JOB IS KILLING MY SOUL!!! I have IBS and depression (as does almost everyone I work with) -sometimes I can't sleep, most times I don't want to get out of bed.

While we have our share of regular customers that are absolute angels- though we have to ignore them anymore when they stop by just to day "hi" -many of our customers are the most rude, ignorant, ungrateful Darwin rejects I have ever seen anywhere!

Multitasking takes on a whole new meaning in Pharmacy- try taking customers prescriptions, making sure they are in the computer and all info up-to-date, typing those prescriptions, troubleshooting insurance problems from 100's of different cards because this is a tourist town, AND answering the CONSTANTLY RINGING telephone ALL AT THE SAME TIME- LITERALLY! -while you have a line of customers n front of you. You cannot accomplish one single task before another is thrown in front of you- and the customers wonder why it takes 1 to 2 hours to fill their meds! -all I just described is JUST AT THE DROP-OFF WINDOW! And now we have 6 telephones throughout the pharmacy- but staffing is so limited we're lucky to have 6 people at one time SO WHO THE ---- IS SUPPOSED TO ANSWER ALL THE PHONES!

Unless you plan to be a Pharmacist (lots of school, same stress, but a lot more money) I would stay away from pharmacy until (if ever) conditions improve.

For the record, the official job code for a pharmacy cashier at Walmart is a lower level than for a front end cashier, even though they have additional training for Pseudoephedrine compliance and other Pharmacy training that has nothing to do with their job. Only a cart pusher makes less.

Hospitals here do not pay more than retail- less in fact (well no one takes experience into account- if you change jobs you're automatically entry level again) so as much as I would like to have the additional experience of working in a hospital setting, it's not going to happen unless I move back in with Mom & Dad (I'm 44 so I'd rather not)

That said, congrats on making it through Pharmacy School- I've just recently begun that long hard road, but one of my supervisors seems hell-bent on making it harder than it needs to be, and I would really rather do something else at this point- I'm just in it for the money and that's the wrong reason, but at my age I thought I should stick with what I know.

Hey I am actually in Tenn as well, I find it hard to believe that you can't make more at a hospital, not certified. When I left retail back in 88 I went from 4.95/hr to 9.99/hr, by todays standards that isn't great, but back in the day It was pretty good.
Don't let anyone discourage you about going to Pharmacy school, It is worth it. It is hard, and most techs will find their traing only helps them a small bit, but any bit helps. There is nothing wrong with going into a career because of pay! I'm sure when Banker and Investment Bankers were decideing to go to school ,and pick a Major. Money played a part in that as well.
I think you should look into hospital pay rate a bit deeper, they cannot expect someone to work around Chemo and learn Aseptic Technique, if they don't reward them. Maybe it is me, Maybe I have no idea what retail Techs make in Tenn, but when I my Techs in IL made about 7.00/hr. But if you were in Pharmacy school, you were considered an Intern and you were paid 22.00/hr and Pharmacist about 120K /yr, but that was IL not TN

notalldoomandgloom in Mission Viejo, California said: I think brown_dude34 is painting a worst-case scenario. You have to remember, in some states it's mandatory to become certified in order to go to work, so getting certified is not necessairily a waste of time. Also, not all parts of the country pay the same for the same type of job. Here in California, according to salary.com, most level I pharmacy technicians make a median income of about $33,000.00 a year.

I think it most cases, it is what you make of it. brown_dude34 doesn't sound happy at all, others might be perfectly happy. Possibly a housewife who needs to enter the workforce because it's too hard to live on one income, could find a job as a pharmacy technician part time, afternoons or evenings so that hubby could stay home with the kids, and she can bring in some extra income. BLS indicates the job growth will be strong, you can't say it will be bad in all areas.

I'm sure schooling can be found for less than $3500. I've seen schooling that will prepare you for the PTCE and give you exam prep for less than $900.

You'll get what you look for, guys.

Do you currently work as a Tech?

And what is the cost of living in CA? -I made $26,000 last year in TN, where I'm sure the cost of living is less and make more than most Certified Techs, and I'm living paycheck to paycheck. I can't set anything aside for any kind of emergency- car repairs, medical bills, etc.

I imagine trying to live on $33,000 in CA wouldn't be any better.

Yep that about sums it up......
I would add, if your job is making you ill, you really need to lower your stress levels, by finding differnt line of pharmacy, or differnt line of work altogether. It's not worth dying over. Or worse killing someone becasue you are so stressed out you miss something.

Dr Jeff in Jackson, Tennessee said: Hey I am actually in Tenn as well, I find it hard to believe that you can't make more at a hospital, not certified. When I left retail back in 88 I went from 4.95/hr to 9.99/hr, by todays standards that isn't great, but back in the day It was pretty good.
Don't let anyone discourage you about going to Pharmacy school, It is worth it. It is hard, and most techs will find their traing only helps them a small bit, but any bit helps. There is nothing wrong with going into a career because of pay! I'm sure when Banker and Investment Bankers were decideing to go to school ,and pick a Major. Money played a part in that as well.
I think you should look into hospital pay rate a bit deeper, they cannot expect someone to work around Chemo and learn Aseptic Technique, if they don't reward them. Maybe it is me, Maybe I have no idea what retail Techs make in Tenn, but when I my Techs in IL made about 7.00/hr. But if you were in Pharmacy school, you were considered an Intern and you were paid 22.00/hr and Pharmacist about 120K /yr, but that was IL not TN

I actually applied at a hospital a few years back- when we got on the topic of salary (I actually requested a bit less than I was making at the time) the interviewer said he had techs there 20 yrs that weren't making that. The average salary for a certified tech in this area with 5-10 yrs experience is app $12.80- barely enough to live on, and the work conditions just keep getting worse. Experience actually counts for nothing- if I were to go to another retail pharmacy, they wouldn't pay me any more than the high school grad off the street. I just pray I survive the stress long enough to get through school.