Re: Pharmacy Technician Instructor

[Guest guest]

Microword,

With only 1 year experience, it may be difficult to find a position

teaching. Most will require 3-5 yrs experience in the field (unless you have

previous teaching experience, then possibley less). Experience in both

hospital and

retail will also be a plus (more than an externship). Did you attend a

formal program and receive a certificate or degree ( this may help with less

experience).

Have you thought of getting involved in training for the Pharmacy where you

are working? Do they have a documented training program for Technicians, or

are Techs " thrown in " (most of us know the reality - even " documented

training " can be sink or swim).

If you want to get your " feet wet " , volunteer to help teach or TA (that's

how I started - without the intention of making it a career).

If you are interested in teaching at a Community College level, you will

need to have a degree at least one level above what you teach (it doesn't

necessarily need to be " related " ) - for example if the program is a Certificate,

you would have to have an Associates Degree, if the program is Associate level,

you would have to have a Bachelors. Vocational instututions may accept

experience if you don't have a degree.

I am currently mentoring 2 former students wishing to teach. One of them

has 3 years experience and is working toward her Associates, the other is only

1 year out. The first one I am able to hire as a lab TA, the second is

" volunteering " for the experience in teaching. She is also working toward her

Associates. Personally - teaching is the best job I never thought of, and

never

knew I would love. I actually decided against Medical School to continue to

teach. I have taught at both a Vocational school as well as a Community

College and had (too) many years training experience (I think about 15) as well

as a degree.

Good luck on your search and let us know how it goes.

Anne LaVance, BS, CPhT

Texpert

Director - Pharmacy Technician Program

Delgado Community College

New Orleans, LA

[Guest guest]

Dear Microword,

1. First of all find out what the state requierments are in your state to

work/teach at a private post secondary school vs community public college. Ask

yourself if you qualify. The req vary from stateto state. If you do then

continue to #2

2. Build a winning resume, emphasize the ability to tuor, train, coach,

mentor, teach, educate, communicate.

3. Find a list or build a list of all the schools that are available in the

area that you want to teach at and. Complie a list with contact information.

4. Call each one and ask to speak to the personnell department and ask about

the application process. Ask about the requierments to teach at their facility,

because some will have more stringent req than the state. For example the state

says 3 yrs in Ca as a tech before teaching, but my boss hires if you have 5 yrs

of teching.

5. Follow the procedure to the letter. If they say there are no openings, then

follow up with a letter that refers to your conversation, let them know that you

are interested even if part-time position, will accept a TA position or a tem

position. Ask them to let you know whenthere may be an opening. Refer to an

enclosure of your resume and references upon request (only). CC this letter to

the pharm department head or director but USE his or her name.

6. An alternative is to go in person to the college.

MAKE sure that you do all the research online about mission statement and

other classes that they offer. KNOW them very well before you go in.

7.OPTIONAL- find a place that does NOT have a program and offer to create one.

Devise a biz plan and show NEED for this program. And any projections.

Hope this helpsand let me know if this works for you and what esle did or dose

work for you.

Any other instructors out there want to answer this too? Go ahead, we can all

appreciate everyone's input.

Respectfully,

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

Hawks <microword77@...> wrote:

Hi Jeanetta: I am looking for a teaching position as an Instructor of

Pharmacy Technician. How would I go about this? My experience is no more

than 1 year. Please advise on a strategy.

Thanks

Microword

[Guest guest]

Wow! Ms. LaVance ..... this sounds sooooooooooo familiar!

Ashanti C. La Roche, CPhT

InstructorCPhT@... wrote:

Microword,

With only 1 year experience, it may be difficult to find a position

teaching. Most will require 3-5 yrs experience in the field (unless you have

previous teaching experience, then possibley less). Experience in both hospital

and

retail will also be a plus (more than an externship). Did you attend a

formal program and receive a certificate or degree ( this may help with less

experience).

Have you thought of getting involved in training for the Pharmacy where you

are working? Do they have a documented training program for Technicians, or

are Techs " thrown in " (most of us know the reality - even " documented

training " can be sink or swim).

If you want to get your " feet wet " , volunteer to help teach or TA (that's

how I started - without the intention of making it a career).

If you are interested in teaching at a Community College level, you will

need to have a degree at least one level above what you teach (it doesn't

necessarily need to be " related " ) - for example if the program is a Certificate,

you would have to have an Associates Degree, if the program is Associate level,

you would have to have a Bachelors. Vocational instututions may accept

experience if you don't have a degree.

I am currently mentoring 2 former students wishing to teach. One of them

has 3 years experience and is working toward her Associates, the other is only

1 year out. The first one I am able to hire as a lab TA, the second is

" volunteering " for the experience in teaching. She is also working toward her

Associates. Personally - teaching is the best job I never thought of, and never

knew I would love. I actually decided against Medical School to continue to

teach. I have taught at both a Vocational school as well as a Community

College and had (too) many years training experience (I think about 15) as well

as a degree.

Good luck on your search and let us know how it goes.

Anne LaVance, BS, CPhT

Texpert

Director - Pharmacy Technician Program

Delgado Community College

New Orleans, LA