So I’m 23 and just graduated from college with a psychology degree and business minor. I decided it was a dumb choice, but also decided that I want to become a pharmacist eventually (and it actually seems doable with a few extra classes taken on the side).
However, before attempting to go into pharmacy school, I want to become a pharmacy technician.
Problem is I currently had to move out east, and I preferred living out west (family lives out east).
How should I go about getting a pharmacy technician job out west (California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, or Utah) if I don’t live in those states? Are one of those states easier than the others (to get a pharmacy technician job)?
I just don’t want to waste my time or take a wrong step in the process. Any help would be appreciated.
Comment:
Go around to every pharmacy that you can, ask to speak to the manager/owner (whoever is in charge), and explain that you want to work there and tell them your degrees. Tell them you are interested in pharmacy school. If you are sincere and they need someone, you’ll get the job IMO. But definitely don’t spend money on going to school to become a pharmacy technician. Not worth it. You could also just get into pharmacy school then get a job as an intern at a pharmacy.
Comment:
Within the next year or so all pharmacy technician will have to be certified, which in the past you could get a pharmacy technician job without any experience, so I would start applying like mad right now. The larger chain stores you can apply online. I work at CVS and if you send in an application online, you should start calling all of the actual stores that you are interested in working in within a day or so of applying. At my store we get so many applications per week that we don’t even consider those who don’t call and follow up on their application. Good luck!
Comment:
if you’ve never had experience i woudlnt hire you, youre overqualified as well as underqualified
i dont know about california, but in nj/ny you definitely dont need a pharmacy technician certification to be a pharmacy technician. i would be wary of anyone with a cert and no experience. its like hiring an mba grad with no experience
why dont you want to pursue a job in biochem?
Comment:
I’m currently in the process of applying to pharmacy schools and I wanted some extra experience in that department. I already have a letter of rec from a pharmacist so it’s purely for the sake of learning. I have ~2 months of experience thus far and I don’t think it’s enough to even put it on an application. 🙁 Is there something I can do to boost up my resume?
Comment:
Get the materials, study, take the test. After you pass, you are certified and far more likely to get a job. Anywhere retail will hire you, basically. Try to get a hospital job though. With previous degrees, this may be easier for you than others. It’s better experience for pharmacy school. Oh yeah, the pay is better, too.
Comment:
Looking up things, it seems many states (if not all) accept PTCB as certification, so sort of answered my own question.
But, how do you go about studying for the exam. Is there any book/online resource, etc. you would recommend I buy? Appreciate any help with this.
Comment:
Dont worry about studying for the exam. Get the job first and then they will give you the study materials. The exam is a breeze.
Comment:
I hear this, but I’m not sure where to apply. I want to get a job in California, Washigton, Oregon, Nevada, or Utah. I graduated from a college in Utah, btw.
But, I currently live with family in the Southeast. And I really prefer not to live in the Southeast.
Is there any places that may hire me even though I’m not in there specific location?
Comment:
Logistically this will be much more difficult. Also do you realize that pharmacy technicians are not paid shit and for the most part viewed and treated like mcdonalds employees? While I was a pharmacy technician many of my coworkers were part time college students making some extra cash. A manager is not going to want to hire you sight unseen because of the risk to you and also to them. On the flip side I found a job as a pharmacy technician and will now be attending pharmacy school. I found it via directly calling the manager, telling them about myself and interviewing getting hired all within a 2 hour span. Also if you have time to spare the best possible scenario for you will be retail to certification to clinical. Clinical should be the goal because you will get better experience and make more money.