How do I find a job as a pharmacy technician?

Question

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 1

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

Answer 2

i am a pharmacy tech and i went to a community college for a couple of months to prepare for the test to become certified. i volunteered at wal-mart and now i work at a hospital.you can get paid for your services for up to a yr with-out being certified but you have to be registered.hope this helps email me with any questions.

Answer 3

If you are seeking volunteer opportunities, contact your local volunteer center for a referral. They specialize in finding volunteer projects that match your interests and goals:

http://www.handsonnetwork.org/our-network/
http://www.pointsoflight.org/centers/find_center.cfm

I would also suggest contacting the local hospitals in your area to volunteer in the pharmacy departments. One of my 14-year-old volunteers found a position as a pharmacy volunteer at one of our local hospitals. It's also a good way to provide on-the-job training for potential paid staff positions in the future.

Here's a link to help you find your local hospitals:
http://www.ahd.com/

Ask for the Volunteer Office, Auxiliary Office, Community Relations or the Human Resources offices for more information on volunteer programs.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I found a couple of links for more info by going to www.yahoo.com and typed in 'pharmacy technician and education'. National Pharmacy Technician Association: www.pharmacytechnician.org/

US Occupational Outlook Handbook site for career info re: pharmacy tech's: www.bls/gov/oco/ocos252.htm

And if you do attend a phamacy tech program, please do make sure that it is accredited with a reliable agency.

Answer 5

You don't need to go to community college to be a pharm tech. With a job as low paying as pharm tech, it'll be hard to recoup the money. The best thing is to get a job, and work for a while, then get certified. You only get more money if you are certified, not if you went to community college.
In the Chicago area, new uncertified techs will start at about $8 per hour, and certified techs will start at about $10 per hour. I've never heard of a tech getting paid more than $15 per hour, and that is with a lot of experience.