PILLS 4 th General Meeting Pre-Pharmacy Opportunities Guest Speaker: Longs Pharmacy Manager Danielle Tran Pharmacy Volunteer/Work Experiences: Highland Hospital Clinical Pharmacy Tang Center Pharmacy Elephant Pharmacy Abbotts Compounding Pharmacy Longs Drugs Walgreens Pharmacy Pharmacy Technician Information November 13, 2007

Danielle Tran, Pharm.D. Pharmacy Manager

Highland Hospital

Tang Center Pharmacy Volunteering Pharmacy Tasks: Collect prescriptions from patients Organize filled prescriptions Help pharmacy clerk/tech as needed Benefits: Experienced pharmacists familiar with pre- pharmacy process Invaluable opportunity to observe pharmacists and pharmacy personnel in retail setting Opportunity to learn about medications and to improve customer service skills Proximity to Pharmacist mentors How to Obtain Position: Application process begins in the middle of November Application can be downloaded online Application must be submitted to pharmacy by end of semester

Elephant Pharmacy 1607 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA Pharmacy Phone: (510) Joel Leu: Pharmacist-in-charge Chin Wong: Volunteer Coordinator Volunteers for Spring 2008 Requirements: Able to commit *two 4 hour shifts* per week (a total of 8 hours per week) Responsible, good communication skills, and motivated to learn. Interested in gaining hands-on experience in a retail pharmacy Why Volunteer at Elephant? Gain invaluable hands-on experience in a new, innovative, happy, healthy, feel-good pharmacy Acquire crucial skills and knowledge required for both the patient-care and business aspect of pharmacy Interact with pharmacists, technicians and patients

► Services  Hormone Replacement Therapy ► Perimenopause ► Andropause  Veterinary Medicine ► Tuna Flavored Suspension ► Transdermal Gels  Pain Management ► Sublingual Tablets ► Suppositories ► Capsules ► Clerk Duties  Package deliveries  Register  Assist Pharmacist and Technicians  Aid with compounding creams

1. Pharmacy Clerk at Long’s Drugs A hiring sign for part time clerks was posted at the pharmacy counter. Turned in the application directly to the pharmacy manager and introduced myself. If I were not able to get the position, I could have tried another pharmacy for openings (Walgreens, Luckys, another Long’s, etc.). 2. A pharmacy clerk. Mostly entering new prescriptions onto the computer, customer services, trying to handle insurance issues, RTS- ing, answering calls. Also get to chat with the pharmacists and pharmacy school interns doing their rotations. 3. During regular school semester, usually only around 4 to 8 hours a week.

Positions Available: Pharmacy Cashier Pharmacy Technician Assist pharmacists in filling prescriptions Use our Intercom Plus computer system to process prescriptions Process prescriptions though insurance Handle phone inquiries Work 8 hr shifts Apply online at

Pharmacy Technician Responsibilities Count, pour, weigh, measure, and sometimes mix the medication. Prepare the prescription labels, select the type of prescription container, and affix the prescription and auxiliary labels to the container. The prescription must be checked by a pharmacist before it is given to the patient. May establish and maintain patient profiles, prepare insurance claim forms, and stock and take inventory of prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Requirements for Licensure Formal pharmacy technician education programs Classroom and laboratory work in a variety of areas Learn medical and pharmaceutical terminology, pharmaceutical calculations, pharmacy recordkeeping, pharmaceutical techniques, and pharmacy law and ethics. Learn medication names, actions, uses, and doses. Students receive a diploma, a certificate, or an associate’s degree, depending on the program. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) administers the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination. This exam is voluntary in most States and displays the competency of the individual to act as a pharmacy technician.

Registering for the PTCE Must have a high school diploma or GED Register for the PTCE on Application fee is $129

PTCE Format The exam is exclusively offered in a computer-based testing format Given two hours to complete a 100 multiple-choice question exam Ten of the 100 questions are pre-test questions and will not count towards the final score  I. Assisting the Pharmacist in Serving Patients – 66% of exam  II. Maintaining Medication and Inventory Control Systems – 22% of exam  III. Participating in the Administration and Management of Pharmacy Practice – 12% of exam

Studying for the PTCE

Licensure A pharmacy technician application available on the California State Board of Pharmacy website 2” by 2” photo A certified true copy of your PTCB certificate Fingerprint submission: A copy of the Request for Live Scan Service form $50 check to the Board of Pharmacy

Recertification Must be recertified every 2 years Must complete 20 contact hours for continuing education (CE) in pharmacy-related topics Contact hours are awarded for on-the-job training, attending lectures, and college coursework At least 1 contact hour must be in pharmacy law Contact hours can be earned from several different sources: Pharmacy colleges Pharmacy technician training programs May earn a maximum ten hours at your workplace under the direct supervision of the pharmacist. Must complete specially assigned in-service projects or training. (computer training, inventory control, IV admixtures, etc.) May use one college course during your two-year certification period. The college course must be in either a Life Science (Chemistry, Biology, Anatomy, etc.) or Math, and counts as 15 hours

Relicense Approximately six weeks before the expiration date of your registration, a renewal application will be mailed to your last known address of record. $50 check to the Board of Pharmacy

Resources US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics ◦ California Board of Pharmacy ◦ PTCB.org