How much should I be getting paid as a Pharmacy Technician?

Question

I'm about to graduate from Bryman (Everest), and getting nervous. I have read that I dont have to go to school for Pharm Tech, since its too late for me now; how can I land a pharm tech job that will pay for my student loan. I also have heard that taking the lisence is pretty hard, does anyone have any clue to where i can get some help on the exams? Is there a study sheet?

Answer 1

A lot of people assume you have to go to school to be a pharmacy technician but you don't.

When I graduated high school I purchased two pharmacy technician books. One was a math book and the other was general pharmacy technician book (pharmacy law, helping the pharmacist, etc.) You can find both of these books online; there are several to chose from. I studied these books over the summer and then I took the soonest test and passed.

Make sure you study though because when I took the test 4 years ago it was about $120 and it took like 4 hours! So you definitely want to pass it and not have to take it over again!

If you go to the PTCB website they have study guides and a practice test that you can take.

I would HIGHLY suggest you work in a hospital if you can though.

Retail pharmacy technicians (like CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, etc.) don't make very much compared to technicians that work in a hospital. I worked at Safeway when I was 17 as a pharmacy technician (not certified) and I only made $8.00 an hour. It was horrible!

I have been a certified pharmacy technician for almost 5 years now. I work in a hospital pharmacy and I'm the Pyxis administrator for my hospital (I'm only 21!). A Pyxis machine holds all the medications (tablets, oral suspensions, IV fluid, etc). I also make IV fluid, compound oral medication, compound ointments, dispense medication and controlled medication (narcotics) and maintain the machines (just to name a few). I make $16.70 an hour and I get a raise every year.

Good luck!

Answer 2

For the national exam, there are books at any library that will help you tremendously. It would be better to get some experience before hand though. There is a lot of practical stuff on the exam that you can't learn from a book. Just make sure you know your pharmacy math ~ especially alligations. It is true that you don't need to go to college to be a pharm tech, and in most states you don't even need to take the national exam. As far as for them paying your tuition...I think the only way to get than done would be to join the military. Pharmacies can hire some kid right out of high school for this job so they aren't too anxious to give you extra benefits. On the low end you will make about $11.00 an hour but if you are in a wealthier state you could make up to $18.00.

Good Luck

Answer 3

The national average salary for pharm techs is $12 per hour, average annual salary of about $25k. The average income in CA is higher, but that is because cost of living is higher. I only know of one state which absolutely requires the certification exam for licensure, and that is Texas.
Since you are uncertified, for retail, expect a starting income of below $10 per hour. Once certified, you should start at $10-$11 per hour.
I know of loan repayment programs for pharmacists, not for pharm techs though.
There are PTCE review books. http://www.pharmacist.com/store_tech.cfm
https://www.ptcb.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home1

Answer 4

Within the NHS Agenda for Change scales, pharmacy technicians' salaries are usually on Band 4. From 1st April 2006 this scale has ranged from £16,405 to £19,730 a year.

Starting salaries for pharmacy technicians who work outside the NHS tend to be in the range of £10,000 to £11,000 a year.

Answer 5

The pharmacist

Answer 6

A LOT