Pharmacy Technician HQ

Pharmacy Technician Job Interview *Show Notes:* Summary: In this podcast, our main topic was preparing for and what to do in a pharmacy technician interview. Here are points of consideration covered: – Have a well prepared resume, and bring copies to the interview. You are more likely to obtain an interview if you have experience working or training in a similar type of pharmacy site (eg, hospital). – Dress: Wear business dress. Guys – where a suit if you can, if not at least a collard shirt and tie (no jeans). Ladies – business slacks with a blouse top. Tone down any extreme looks (eg, remove extraneous piercings). – Do some background research on the companies website to learn more about them. -When asked a specific question, answer the question with a specific example. Nothing is more frustrating then broad generalizations for answers. -Don’t beg at the end or seem too desperate. End with a thank you for your time and I hope to work with you someday, hopefully soon.

Online vs Campus Schools (Pharmacy Technician) *Show Links:* -Pharmacy Tech Schools by State & Requirements by State page -Career Step – Online training program -Penn Foster – Online training program *Show Notes:* Summary: In this podcast, our main topic was online versus campus based pharmacy technician schools. Here are points of consideration covered: -Can you: Some states do not allow for online programs, and you must complete a campus based program. (many states require neither) -Cost: Online programs are significantly less cost than campus based programs. They do not have to pay for a building and teachers (their overhead cost is less). -Live feedback: Online programs lose that ability to raise your hand and have immediate feedback when you do not understand something. You can’t alter the lecture to help you when you do not understand a concept. -Self motivation: If you are not self-motivated, you can’t do an online program. -How the online programs work:Schools like Career Step have a true online training program that is an interactive learning session. Schools like Penn Foster (which is the lowest cost) is more of a read this material and take this test online when you are done.

Job Descriptions (Pharmacy Technician) Summary: In this podcast, I discuss various pharmacy settings where pharmacy technicians work. These include retail, hospital, long-term care, home-care, nuclear, and health insurance. For each practice setting, the individual tasks that a pharmacy technician can perform are provided. *Show Notes:* -What a Pharmacy Technician Does page (has a bullet list of tasks performed by technicians)

Training and Certification (Pharmacy Technician) Summary: In this podcast, I introduce the requirements for becoming a pharmacy technician. One of the key first steps is to determine what your state requires to become a pharmacy technician. This is because each state decides what their pharmacy technician requirements are. The rest of the podcast discusses the 2 major national certification organizations (PTCB and ExCPT) as well as formal training programs (online and campus based). *Show Notes: Tech Requirements and Schools By State page PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board) ExCPT (Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians) Career Step (click link to request free information from this online training program)

Here is my first podcast: Become a Pharmacy Technician – Is it Right For You. Summary: In this podcast, I cover three major questions about becoming a pharmacy technician. These include: Are there jobs available? What is the pay? and What makes pharmacy technician a good option? The answer to the last question (and to some extent the first question) lies within the fact that you can use pharmacy technician as a career or a stepping stone. To learn more, you will need to listen to the podcast. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (info on pharmacy technician pay and job outlook) Schools By State page (for information on your state to see your requirements for becoming a pharmacy technician)