Where to work as a pharmacy technician?

Question

I just finished a program to become a pharmacy technician and am about to start looking for employment as one. I don't know If I should try to work at a smaller family owned pharmacy or a store like walgreens or cvs?
What would be the pros and cons of each?
Also what kind of clothing would be appropriate for this kind of job? I'm a 19 year old guy.

Any relevant advice appreciated.

Answer 1

I personally preferred working in a hospital pharmacy. There was less of the retail push to help people find the bamboo serving trays and the table fans on sale than the medications.

Usually of the two choices you have mentioned, the small family pharmacy has less push on the retail and more on the medicine, but the larger chain pharmacies can give you benefits, small chains can not afford. You have to decide what you need from both a personal goal and a financial standpoint.

In the hospital pharmacy, we wore pants (not jeans) a dress shirt, a tie and a lab coat. However, each pharmacy will have it's own dress code. Many pharmacies have the techs wear vests so they can be differentiated from the pharmacist. Others have them wear the short white coats but not full length lab coats. Most prefer you not wear jeans, and most prefer you wear a nice shirt. Ties I have noticed are much less common, even on the pharmacist these days.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Going for the pharmacy technician first would probably just be a waste of time. It doesn't pay well enough that you'd be able to save much and make a dent in how much college is going to cost, and you won't really learn enough to make it worthwhile. Just go start the pre-pharm classes instead.