Looking for advice

I have a bachelors degree in pharmacy from india. I immigrated to US 2 years back and have been doing odd jobs here and there completely unrelated to my field of study. I want to get back in my field and get a decent job. But bachelor in pharmacy is not considered a pharmacist degree here. So what i am thinking is getting a master degree in biotechnology or something close to that. I would have to wait for a year to apply for it though because i missed the deadline for this year. Now, the question is i have been working part time as a server making decent livable money so far. I am thinking working as a pharmacy tech would help me out a little with my career in future but the pay is shitty. Does a pharmacy technician job has any credit towards a master in biotechnology degree? i dont want to quit my server job for that as well because well, im broke. Should i do both? Im also getting old now and i feel like time is running out. I really need some advice.

I work for a hospital as a PA tech. I'm the one who actually SUBMITS the PAs for reject "PA required" "Non-formulary drug" "Plan limitations exceeded." Looking to hear from people who work at insurance companies doing review. As a CPhT at an insurance company, what do you do?

HelloI graduated Pharmacy Technician Program in Canada in 2022 but I didn’t write any exam due to my health issue and I'm planning to take MCQ next year on April 2025. Am I still eligible for to take MCQ in next spring (2025) or do I need to take mcq within 2 years after graduation

I've been a pharmacy tech since September and I love it but now I'm seriously looking into the ptcb test and freaking out cause I feel like I'm going to study for a month and get a 30 on it! Trying to remember the generic and brand name, what treats what, and then the calculations and federal vs state laws is just overwhelming. But I've also worked with some real problem techs and if they can pass the test, I definitely can? I wanted to take the test this month cause my job will pay for it once but today I definitely know I'm not ready yet. I have a book and some websites to help me study but what has helped you? Any tips that aren't flashcards or something?

Hey everyone,

I'm moving to Rhode Island in a few months and I'm interested in transferring to another CVS there when I move. I'm currently a Pharmacy Tech in Maryland, and I'm unlicensed (only been working at CVS about 3 months).

Can I start as a Retail Pharmacy Tech in Rhode Island without a license, or do I need to be licensed first?

Thank you :)

I know I have to get re-certified in WV but how hard will it be? Is it just an application I send in like I had to do for VA or is there a test or something else? I am a full blown tech here in VA, do I need to apply for a trainee license first?

So, as I’m sure many of you know, good RX piggybacks onto express scripts and that contractually obligates pharmacies that are contracted with express scripts to accept good RX. I even double checked on the website earlier and they very boldly state so to customers (which is obviously a total sham and a bunch of horseshit)

I work for a smaller pharmacy chain where we have discovered that we are being charged about $6000 per month at our store just in claim fees from goodrx. I’ve had this idea that we just price match good RX and kind of skirt around the issue. When people ask if we take good RX, we can just say yes, but we can also just price match it as well. Most people are not going to insist that you file the claim as it really doesn’t matter to them. What do y’all think of this idea? I don’t see how express scripts can really do anything about it. If somebody insist that we file a claim with their good RX, then we won’t refuse, but it would probably be quite rare.

I'm pondering whether I should take the PTCB exam. I'm in my 50s and currently working as a pharmacy technician. Should I go for it or am I too old? Has anyone over 50 years old taken and passed the PTCB exam? If yes, how did you prepare for it?

Am I able to work part time in retail and part time in a hospital while finishing my undergrad degree? If so, should I let either job know? I enjoy working with my co workers in retail but I also want to gain experience in a hospital setting.

had a customer call for a refill but we needed a new prescription so we sent in a request, because they ran out of refills.

the person screams at me that they need it now otp, but on their profile it said they were due for a new prescription in a month.

i asked them how they were taking it and they were taking their medicine 3 times instead of once. so i tell them they were taking it wrong, but regardless they’ll either have to wait for their doctor to send in a prescription or they can pay out of pocket for a partial fill.

they told me they wasn’t taking it wrong and i just want their money and hung up.

30 minutes later they come in wanting their partial fill, i said it will be 15 minutes and they started yelling saying, “I CALLED EARLIER SAYING I WANT IT FILLED” and i said, “actually you didn’t say if you wanted a partial fill, you told me i was taking your money and you hung up.”

so they drove off and filled their medicine.

an hour later they come back screaming about having to pay out of pocket and that i’m robbing them. i tell them they agreed to pay out of pocket bc they took more than they were supposed to, and their insurance will not cover it.

they kept yelling about how we did this the last time (last time they did the same bs bc they refuse to read the instructions that say, “take by mouth ONCE a day”)

anyways they ended up paying. it was a total of 3 hours going back and forth with this person, on the phone, and in the store. i almost passed out bc of how mad i was getting and my blood pressure was rising but i had to remain semi calm.

This goes out to all my fellow IV technicians, this has probably happened to y'all at one point or another.

I'm a pharmacy tech for inpatient Hem/Onc. A fun thing about my hospital's Hem/Onc department, notorious for last minute orders and indecisiveness ( I do understand that there's a lot involved like labs and stuff).

Well patient hasn't arrived yet they won't start treatment today maybe tomorrow or Monday. Just kidding nevermind we're doing it today actually. Get the label and everything. FOURTEEN VIALS OF 5-FU. Yes F-U to me. Keep in mind this was a minute before cut off so it was a scramble.

Got it made, there may have been crying along the way but it was made.

Walk in today with the dose on the counter needing to be wasted.

I mean like insanely too soon to fill. They’re like 70 days too soon to fill “but I’m out!!” They insist we did not give them 270 tablets despite the multiple checks a script has to go through. Inventory isn’t off. Oh and they don’t wanna pay for it either. I just stare blankly asking what they wanna do in between their babbling. This has happened nearly daily now idk what else to say to people. I need a new way to argue with them because my version doesn’t work

I genuinely feel like I’m expected to be a secretary/personal assistant to some patients. I’m the only tech in an independent owned pharmacy, and I’ve been getting a lot of complaints from patients because I don’t call them to update them on their prescriptions. I’m supposed to call when we receive the script, call when it’s done, call for refills, call when they’re out of refills, call them to tell then they should talk to their doctor, call to tell them the prescription they never ordered is not done ??? Call them to tell the exact time of delivery etc. And if any miscommunication happens or I fail to keep up I get questioned on my credentials? ( mind you I studied 5 years of pharmacy abroad and I’m a certified pharmacy technician) I’m honestly getting really annoyed of being expected to handle phone calls for people who are irresponsible enough to not read how many refills they have and can’t remember the names of their doctors and their medications. Being the only tech I feel like i’m handling phone calls, E-scripts, patients in the register machine and keeping up with the pharmacist and their questions, and after all that I end up falling short because I forgot to call a certain patient to update them on how the prescription is going. Is my annoyance rational or is it a part of the job to keep up with the patients like that? I really am trying to improve my communication with the patients but I genuinely sometimes can’t afford to waste an hour going between calling patients and doctor’s offices

One of the hardest things I’ve dealt with personally is seeing some of our more frequent patients. I get along quite well with them and enjoy helping them, I’ve noticed for one of our patients in particular their health has worsened in the months I’ve been working at my pharmacy. It breaks my heart. They went from bright and lively to kind of a shell of a person. My coworkers say it doesn’t bother them but I have a difficult time with it.

The form needs to be written in ink and cannot be scanned. I think I have to mail this form to Walgreens cooperate. Anyone has experience with this process? Thank you

of course this isn’t all of them but

i just started working (small regional) hospital pharmacy right. so i’m there today stocking the omnicell with just a couple items and a nurse opens the med room door, sees me in there, and i say “hi!! :)” so as to be inviting if she needs something! she proceeds to huff and loudly slam the door.

around 4 minutes later, this male nurse walks in, folds his arms, and sits there staring at me while i work. when he starts idling i ask him, “oh! do you need something from here? you can grab it if you want!!” and he puts a dismissive hand up and goes, “no, i can wait.” as if i was making him wait anyways.

i kind of tried to rationalize it as “oh ED is always bad and chaotic it’s probably just that” but it was really calm in there today. only like 3 exam rooms were occupied and there was a single code stroke all day as the most exciting bit, and i had to rush a stat vitamin K for a GI bleed but that’s about it.

other floors’ staff (esp like PCU, L&D, medsurg) have the common sense to like… just ask, or nod if i offer to let them grab what they need. i feel like im pretty inviting and am 1000% always willing to scoot over as my pull can wait but a patient can’t and shouldn’t but there’s so much hostility for no reason 😭

Me: Okay so it looks like we have two scripts that need to be compounded, so we'll need to transfer those to our sister store since we're not a compounding pharmacy.

Patient: so you don't compound?

Me: no, we need to transfer them

Patient: but how will I get them?

Me: they'll be delivered. Our sister store will call you with pricing information and for payment

Patient: but can't you guys fill it? I want to come pick it up

Me: no, we're not a compounding pharmacy.

Patient: how much will it be if I come pick it up?

Repeat ad nauseam for like 5 minutes. By the end my hands were literally shaking with anger. So if this guy was just a 60 year old troll, then he accomplished it swimmingly.

my answer: drive thru and anything insurance related.

insurance is easy but sometimes it gets old after the 12 patient has a new insurance card or they want to try 50828272936 discount cards.

My coworker that has worked in IV pharmacy for 10+ years needs to take her certification test and she’s struggling hard with retail info. On the practice tests, she always gets 70-75%. Would this be enough to pass?

Hi, I work at a large hospital as a Inpatient tech. All pharmacy staff were given a wellness survey and it showed pride in the work done but also that burn out and stress are issues that need attention. I know that taking PTO and self care are key but have you guys had success with wellness initiatives and what not that have helped? Im also curious about the occasional after work gathering, contests, etc that are engaging and fun. Hopefully I’m not looking for a unicorn here. 🦄 TIA. 🙂

Great way to start my Friday!! Not enterprise and pickpoint crashed at the same time. Our help desk phone isn’t even answering! Nothing like knowing I’m going to be working over 8 hrs to try to play catch up… anyone else having the same issues?

Hey guys. Does anyone happen to have a rec for a rolling stool preferably with a back? Obviously would have to be tall enough to reach the counter comfortably. I’m thinking maybe a bar stool, but I don’t wanna break the bank since I’m the one buying it and will be taking it with me whenever I leave the job.

I have RA and some spinal issues, so occasionally need to sit down when working and the one stool we have is usually occupied by either the other tech with issues or another tech with no issues who just sits all the damn time.

I went in for a outpatient pharmacy tech interview at a hospital. While at the interview the manager said they were looking to open a new position for a clinical pharmacy tech role and If I was interested. I said yes of course she explained the role but it's very different then what I've ever done. I've worked in retail and all the research I've done of pharm techs are either retail or out/inpatient. I got the job and start soon but was wondering if anyone has experience being a clinical pharmacy tech and how that is/what I should prepare for. Im so nervous since this is all going to be new to me. Im hoping someone is a clinical pharmacy tech and can give me some advice of how the day to day goes.

I am looking for a career change. I actually started on the job training dental assisting (and got licensed) but it’s been horrible. I was at an office for a month but didn’t vibe well with the doctor or how she did things. I started at a new office this week and quit after two days because the other assistants weren’t supportive and didn’t help me with anything and I felt so lost and overwhelmed. I cried every night and was anxiety-ridden. I couldn’t go back.

Will I feel the same way as a pharmacy technician? My cousin is a pharmacist and told me I wouldn’t like it (even working in a hospital setting - not retail) because I’d have to call doctors and insurance and type up prescriptions. Is it as bad as she’s making it out to be? Now I’m doubting myself. I don’t want to “fail” at another thing. Any advice?

Hello, I take my ptce tomorrow for the first time and l'm so so nervous. My coworker just took his today and failed, this was his 2nd attempt. I've been studying hardcore a few weeks now. Any advice for me tomorrow?

What is the dumbest/weirdest/most unhinged instruction you saw where the prescriber legit meant to write it that way and have it filled? The craziest one I’ve seen yet is 100mg Losartan, 1-4 per day prn. Just absolutely wild. The rPh told the guy to not take more than 2 ever, and to probably get a new doc. She also asked him if the dr told him when to take more than one, and he said idk, probably when my BP is really high or something?

Grad intern here. Traveled to a different store today (home store is a high volume, well-staffed location) because they needed some help due to rapid turnover, vacations, etc. Guys… in this store it’s currently normal for the pharmacist to be ALONE some days… WHAT?

Guy comes in. I say 5/6 prescriptions ready. He throws a FIT and tells me to hurry it up. I say I’ll put it through, then go to step away to fill it. The pharmacist is on the phone, checking a billion other things… plus the guy couldn’t even see there was anyone else here and I’m wearing a white smock (like I could’ve definitely been the only one here as far as he knew?).

This guy throws an even bigger fit as I try to go to the fill station?! Saying, “Well at least get my other 5 READY AND ON THIS COUNTER SO I DON’T HAVE TO WAIT LONGER?!!!” (Why are you raging sir?)

I was like, “Sir… didn’t you want me to fill the other script?”

No response… just a blank stare… yeah buddy let’s let the gears turn and the logic sink in.

It doesn’t fill itself…

The end.

I was working a location today let's call it Store A, and a patient called wanting script pulled from Store B in the same chain, and refilled. Ok, cool. When we went to do it, the Rx image was a fucking transfer pad fully filled out by Store B with Dexmethylphenidate as the drug... It had the info of the other pharmacy it was transferred from (a supermarket chain), their pharmacist, the MD's info, DEA numbers, everything. So there had to be multiple complete fucking idiots involved in this. And the pt had no history with our chain at all before that script. 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️ WTF????? Seriously WTF? Literally how does this happen I'm speechless. I thought I'd seen it all but nope... this has to be a new low