Pharmacy Tech?

Question

I'll be graduating high school this year and am leaning towards going to Lincoln Tech for their pharmacy technician program for an associates degree. What I'd like to know is,

1. Is it worth paying for Lincoln tech (13k-15k full degree) to get into this field?

2. I read somewhere that you don't need to take schooling to become a technician. How does that work then? What are the standards for application into a pharmacy as a tech in hospitals, rite aids/CVS? Could someone fresh out of highschool jump into Pharm Tech? If so, how?

Answer 1

some pharmacies will allow to train to be a Pharmacy tech, you may want to check with the local Pharmacy to find out.

Answer 2

NO, it is not worth paying any school for a degree to become a pharmacy technician!!! I've been a pharmacy technician at CVS for over 4 years, and they provide all the necessary training, which they pay YOU for. To become nationally certified (check out www.ptcb.org), you have to take an exam, which you would have to pay for, but only about $120 or so. Then you can get a state license after that, the price of which probably varies from state to state.

You need to do something called C.E.'s (continuing education) which can be done on-line, or can be found in Pharmacy magazines, as well as "live" seminar-type C.E.'s, and you need to get 20 credits every 2 years to maintain your status as a CPhT (Certified Pharmacy Technician), and to maintain your state licensure... but all of that costs MUCH less than a college or trade school ANYWHERE.... so, if you want to join me in the ranks as a pharmacy technician, just go to your local CVS (I'm sure other pharmacy chains offer similar training) and apply. You must be at least 18 in most areas and have a high school diploma or G.E.D.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

It's not, not worth it. Most, almost all, pharmacies will train you. Without certification, you will only start with $8-$9 per hour. With certification, you will start with $10-11 per hour. You max out at $15 per hour. My tuition for Pharmacy school (PharmD) is 16k a year, but I'll make the money back easily.
Every state has its own laws regarding pharmacy techs. Here in IL, you just need to be a high school graduate. Go to www.ptcb.com and there's a chart with all the state's requirements.
There is very little advancement for Pharm Techs.

Answer 4

You don't need school to be a pharmacy technician, but you do have to fill out a form, and later get a license. Just go to a local pharmacy and ask them about it

Answer 5

don't do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lincoln tech is a rip off. do what everyone else is saying. is true, my friend didn't even go to a school she got promoted at walgreens. they paid for her school and everything and makes more than her friend who went to one of those tech school that charge like 87489240932 dollars! community colleges usually offer it for like 900 dollars which is better than paying 12-14,000.....so check with your community colleges they usually have it through their contunuing education classes..waste 14,000 on college credits sweety! go to a community college..which can build up so you can then transfer to university..those lincoln tech and olympias mold little minds like yours b/c you are fresh out of high school...i hope this helps. good luck sweety!