Question by Mona!: How can I get a pharmacy technician job without experience in IL?
I’m going to be a junior in college, I am planning on becoming a pharmacist. I can get a license online but it would take some time to get certified…please help I need a job in my field so I can get into pharmacy school! I live in Chicago, if that is relevant.

Best answer:

Answer by iloveu2_21
firstly, getting certified online is not such a good idea for multiple reasons: many of those “programs” are a scam, theyre expensive end up costing you a lot more than what you expected, and getting it online doesn’t even guarantee a job placement. my grandmas neighbor, (both her and i are in the chicagoland area), went to a junior school for an rx tech, spent 10,000 on her certification, and couldnt find a job. shes now working as a “caregiver” for an elder. she wasted all that effort, money, and time on going through this, that it doesnt even matter.

secondly, there is an option that is an advantage, and a lot of people dont know about this. i was working at a retail store as a camera clerk, and my manager knew i wanted to go into the pharmacy field, and since the stores pharmacy needed a tech, they hired me in the pharmacy. through them, they trained me; first by doing administrative tasks, like garbage and answering phones, and let me watch and learn by on-the-job. they had me take 8 hour “classes” via satilite from the store, (8 hours sounds horrible, but its not like a class. they just have a person that you watch on tv, going over a workbook that youre given and answer live questions). all i had to do was take a few of those classes, (which was considered to be on the job, so i got paid), and pass the govt test that they paid for, and now im a certified tech. :)

lastly, the only thing is that in todays economy, no one is really hiring unless youre already certified…let alone willing to pay for you at their expense. what i suggest is, is if you know anyone, accquaintences, family, literally anyone…and see if they can help you get into a retail pharmacy. connections really do help in this kind of case. if not, search online for employers that will do this for you, and/or have a good point in why they should train you in your application. also, look at all types of outputs for rx techs- independent schools, retail stores, biotech companies, even small, independent pharmacies…you never know! but i hope this helped, and goodluck!:)

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