Re: surviving the transition when states change their requirements

[Guest guest]

Vicke,

GREAT questions! I hope to see some replies

Jeanetta

vicki <vixenve@...> wrote: One of the previous posts reminded me

of a question I have been

meaning to throw out to the group...

This is especially geared towards anyone from any state which has

recently (in the last few years)started requiring certification of

its' technicians:

how was the process handled?

How long were existing techs given to fulfill this requirement?

Was there any sort of " grandfathering? "

Did the state track down all working techs, did employers become

responsible for making everyone complete their requirements, or was

everything the responsibility of the individual technician?

I would really like to see some members post a brief description of

how the experience was for them.

As anyone who has ever seen me post here or at PTCB knows, I continue

to dream of the day when New York steps up and starts requiring more

of its technicians. I am a go-to person when it comes to getting

information out to the many technicians I come in contact with. I

want everyone to be prepared (although we already do quite well with

encouraging everyone to voluntarily become certified)

Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

Vicki

Rochester, New York

[Guest guest]

Virginia started requiring state licensing of techs a couple years

ago. I work retail at CVS so not sure where it works everywhere and

they have done some changes since the initial push. Everyone has to be

licensed after working a certain length of time, I think it is 6

months. A test is required. CVS initially paid for the test and the

first licensing fee. It is up to the individual to maintain your

annual CEs and licensing fee. I think now the newer techs may have to

pay for their own test but am not sure. CVS will also pay your first

test fee for the PTCB Exam but not additional testing if you need to

retake and they don't pay the renewal fees. You must be state licensed

even if you pass the PTCB. The reasoning given is that the state does

a " license " and the PTCB is a " certification " . If you have passed the

PTCB you may waive the licensing test and apply for your license based

on your PTCB certification. I think that is based on the PTCB being a

more comprehensive test. I do not believe there was any

grandfathering. I had been working as a tech for several years and

when the requirement came out, I had a specific deadline for completing

the test and licensing.

> This is especially geared towards anyone from any state which has

> recently (in the last few years)started requiring certification of

> its' technicians:

>

> how was the process handled?

> How long were existing techs given to fulfill this requirement?

> Was there any sort of " grandfathering? "

> Did the state track down all working techs, did employers become

> responsible for making everyone complete their requirements, or was

> everything the responsibility of the individual technician?

[Guest guest]

Thank you Karla. Your experience is worth noting and very informative.

My understanding is that Virginia requires PTCB OR a state exam. My

question is does Virginia require education?

's program is Virginia state board approved. But does

Virginia require education? or training?

can you clarify this?

Respectfully,

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

Pharm Tech Educator

F/O

>

> > This is especially geared towards anyone from any state which has

> > recently (in the last few years)started requiring certification of

> > its' technicians:

> >

> > how was the process handled?

> > How long were existing techs given to fulfill this requirement?

> > Was there any sort of " grandfathering? "

> > Did the state track down all working techs, did employers become

> > responsible for making everyone complete their requirements, or was

> > everything the responsibility of the individual technician?

>

[Guest guest]

My understanding is that you MUST obtain the VA license, (at least

for CVS) but may waive the State EXAM (and maybe the training

requirement as well) if you have passed the PTCB and your

certification is current. CVS is responsible for making sure

everyone obtains their license within the timeframe or can not allow

them to work behind the pharmacy counter.

You can get the state license without the PTCB, but the PTCB on it's

own is not enough. You must obtain the state license. I found this

out the hard way. After passing my PTCB, I let my state license

expire, believing that the PTCB, being much more difficult to obtain

and National instead of State, would have higher precedence. I was

wrong. I had to pay the late penalty to reinstate my state license

because the PTCB will not stand on it's own in VA CVS pharmacies.

(Actually, my manager paid my late fee because we had discussed the

situation and she had believed as I did that if you had your PTCB you

did not need the state license. We now know better.)

I do not believe there is an education requirement, but I do think

you have to have completed an approved training program (CVS is an

approved program). Our CVS Pharmacist had to sign off on the initial

application that we had completed the training program, if I am

remembering correctly. I have had no formal education other than the

OJT but I am a very motivated self-study and was able to obtain my VA

license through examination and a short time later passed the PTCB as

well.

There doesn't seem to be much incentive for the younger hirees to

obtain or maintain a PTCB Certificate, the only benefit seeming to be

waiving the easily passed state exam. I have had several of them

tell me that they do not plan on making pharmacy a life career and

did not care to maintain a certification that they had to pay for out

of pocket. I realize that this does not apply to all young hirees,

so please don't blast me on that point, I am just reflecting what I

have been told by several. I also am not making a life career out of

pharmacy. I have worked retail pharmacy part-time for almost 5 years

in addition to my full-time career that is in no way related to

pharmacy. My full-time career pays more than I can earn as a

pharmacy tech (otherwise I may have switched). I work part time to

put my kids through college and I studied and passed the PTCB because

I prefer to excel wherever/whenever I can and learn for the sake of

learning. I do enjoy pharmacy work and will maintain my

certifications/licenses and continue learning because I may well

decide to continue on a part-time basis after retiring from my other

career. I do plan on taking a pharmacology course at the community

college (if they will allow me to take a nursing course without being

in the nursing program). This will help me both at the pharmacy and

in fulfilling elective credits for the unrelated degree I am puruing

as well.

An interesting note - Before the state license requirement, CVS used

to reward passing the PTCB with a cash bonus and possible salary

increases. I understand that is no longer in affect. Those that are

serious and wish to pursue lead tech status do still go ahead and sit

for the PTCB.

Karla Benson CPhT

CVS, Spotsylvania VA

> >

> > > This is especially geared towards anyone from any state which

has

> > > recently (in the last few years)started requiring certification

of

> > > its' technicians:

> > >

> > > how was the process handled?

> > > How long were existing techs given to fulfill this requirement?

> > > Was there any sort of " grandfathering? "

> > > Did the state track down all working techs, did employers

become

> > > responsible for making everyone complete their requirements, or

was

> > > everything the responsibility of the individual technician?

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Karla,

Thank you for this invaluable information. Yes I did understand it correctly:

State License with PTCB

OR

State License with VA state exam.

It is most interesting to note that PTCB is more difficult to pass. I will be

using this piece of information soon and I will contact you regarding how I

need to use it.

For the record: I would not 'blast' you on this site regarding your

opinions. I may not agree with all opinions posted on this site, but I try to

give valid reasons as to why I would disagree or agree and site supporting

documents etc. I am very vocal and some may find this too strong. However we

are all entitled to our opinions. However if you were a non-pharmacy person

(ie a nurse or janitor) giving your two cents when you have no foundation or

roots in pharmacy, I may blast you! {in reference to a recent letter to DT

that I wrote}. I hope this clears that up

Thank you again for this important message.

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

Pharm Tech Educator

F/O

Karla <Karla62@...> wrote: My understanding is that you MUST obtain

the VA license, (at least

for CVS) but may waive the State EXAM (and maybe the training

requirement as well) if you have passed the PTCB and your

certification is current. CVS is responsible for making sure

everyone obtains their license within the timeframe or can not allow

them to work behind the pharmacy counter.

You can get the state license without the PTCB, but the PTCB on it's

own is not enough. You must obtain the state license. I found this

out the hard way. After passing my PTCB, I let my state license

expire, believing that the PTCB, being much more difficult to obtain

and National instead of State, would have higher precedence. I was

wrong. I had to pay the late penalty to reinstate my state license

because the PTCB will not stand on it's own in VA CVS pharmacies.

(Actually, my manager paid my late fee because we had discussed the

situation and she had believed as I did that if you had your PTCB you

did not need the state license. We now know better.)

I do not believe there is an education requirement, but I do think

you have to have completed an approved training program (CVS is an

approved program). Our CVS Pharmacist had to sign off on the initial

application that we had completed the training program, if I am

remembering correctly. I have had no formal education other than the

OJT but I am a very motivated self-study and was able to obtain my VA

license through examination and a short time later passed the PTCB as

well.

There doesn't seem to be much incentive for the younger hirees to

obtain or maintain a PTCB Certificate, the only benefit seeming to be

waiving the easily passed state exam. I have had several of them

tell me that they do not plan on making pharmacy a life career and

did not care to maintain a certification that they had to pay for out

of pocket. I realize that this does not apply to all young hirees,

so please don't blast me on that point, I am just reflecting what I

have been told by several. I also am not making a life career out of

pharmacy. I have worked retail pharmacy part-time for almost 5 years

in addition to my full-time career that is in no way related to

pharmacy. My full-time career pays more than I can earn as a

pharmacy tech (otherwise I may have switched). I work part time to

put my kids through college and I studied and passed the PTCB because

I prefer to excel wherever/whenever I can and learn for the sake of

learning. I do enjoy pharmacy work and will maintain my

certifications/licenses and continue learning because I may well

decide to continue on a part-time basis after retiring from my other

career. I do plan on taking a pharmacology course at the community

college (if they will allow me to take a nursing course without being

in the nursing program). This will help me both at the pharmacy and

in fulfilling elective credits for the unrelated degree I am puruing

as well.

An interesting note - Before the state license requirement, CVS used

to reward passing the PTCB with a cash bonus and possible salary

increases. I understand that is no longer in affect. Those that are

serious and wish to pursue lead tech status do still go ahead and sit

for the PTCB.

Karla Benson CPhT

CVS, Spotsylvania VA

> >

> > > This is especially geared towards anyone from any state which

has

> > > recently (in the last few years)started requiring certification

of

> > > its' technicians:

> > >

> > > how was the process handled?

> > > How long were existing techs given to fulfill this requirement?

> > > Was there any sort of " grandfathering? "

> > > Did the state track down all working techs, did employers

become

> > > responsible for making everyone complete their requirements, or

was

> > > everything the responsibility of the individual technician?

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Vicki,

In Texas, you must both pass the PTCB and become registered with the

Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) before you can get behind the

counter and fill scripts.

In Texas, during your first year as a CPhT, by state Law, in the

retail setting, you may not 'completely affix' a prescription label

to a filled script or an order for a medical device until a

Pharmacist has checked the filled prescription order.

So, you get a refill order which the computer has already printed

out the label and patient information insert for, get the stock

bottle, count out the pills on the tray, fill the patient bottle,

affix the left hand side of the label to the patient bottle,

retrieve a bag for the pt., and the RPh is supposed to

review/recount/correct? if necessary. After a period of time, in my

experience, 'if it looks right' the RPh will normally just go ahead

and 'affix' the Rx label.

This has a positive and negative side, though.

Anyone can count from 1 to 30 Cialis... This is a 'no brainer...'

But when you work with dilutions of oral medications, how can the

Pharmicist really 'check your work'?

You must be extremely careful with m/v equations, or you just might

give a child a bottle of medicine that tablespoon full of the

medication will really make him/her 'SEE ALICE', hopefully in

Wonderland.

If the above sentence made you laugh, then read it again. Imagine it

is your child who ingested that tablespoon of medicine.

Then, it does not seem so funny.

Vicki, in Texas the requirement for registration as a CPhT is

passing the PTCB, then a thorough background check in which you must

give quite a bit of personal information to the state.

There is no educational requirement per se. (other than a High

School Diploma), but unless you have either some education or prior

experience as a CPhT, you will have a hard time finding a job.

The state of Texas will run a quite thorough background check on

you. This will include your credit report from the three major

credit bureaus. Normally, a business can not discriminate against a

person because of anything 'medical' that is considered a bad debt

on an applicant's credit report.

BUT...

If you happen to live in Texas, make sure that any medical bills are

not put on your credit in any way.

In Texas, we have the 'Moral Terpitude' statute meaning that once

you sign the paperwork allowing the state of Texas to 'background'

you, it would be in your best interest to not have any bad debts to

doctors or hospitals. This is most especially important if the Dr.

or hospital debt happens to be of the psychiatric nature, whether it

be inpatient or oupatient. Remember that this does not necessarily

mean that you had to be the recipient of the service of the Dr. or

hospital, just that you might have either put it on your credit card

or incurred the bad debt from a dependant OR spouse.

Hope this helps.

Christian B. Oliver RCPhT (TX)

>

> One of the previous posts reminded me of a question I have been

> meaning to throw out to the group...

>

> This is especially geared towards anyone from any state which has

> recently (in the last few years)started requiring certification of

> its' technicians:

>

> how was the process handled?

> How long were existing techs given to fulfill this requirement?

> Was there any sort of " grandfathering? "

> Did the state track down all working techs, did employers become

> responsible for making everyone complete their requirements, or

was

> everything the responsibility of the individual technician?

>

> I would really like to see some members post a brief description

of

> how the experience was for them.

>

> As anyone who has ever seen me post here or at PTCB knows, I

continue

> to dream of the day when New York steps up and starts requiring

more

> of its technicians. I am a go-to person when it comes to getting

> information out to the many technicians I come in contact with. I

> want everyone to be prepared (although we already do quite well

with

> encouraging everyone to voluntarily become certified)

>

> Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

> Vicki

> Rochester, New York

>

[Guest guest]

Christian, thank you for your information. I am more specifically

looking for a description of what it was like for everyone WHEN these

requirements first took place. If you can, please describe what you

had to go through once the state of Texas decided to make

certification/registration a requirement.

From my previous email:

> > how was the process handled?

> > How long were existing techs given to fulfill this requirement?

> > Was there any sort of " grandfathering? "

> > Did the state track down all working techs, did employers become

> > responsible for making everyone complete their requirements, or

> was

> > everything the responsibility of the individual technician?

Thanks, Vicki

> >

> > One of the previous posts reminded me of a question I have been

> > meaning to throw out to the group...

> >

> > This is especially geared towards anyone from any state which has

> > recently (in the last few years)started requiring certification

of

> > its' technicians:

> >

> > how was the process handled?

> > How long were existing techs given to fulfill this requirement?

> > Was there any sort of " grandfathering? "

> > Did the state track down all working techs, did employers become

> > responsible for making everyone complete their requirements, or

> was

> > everything the responsibility of the individual technician?

> >

> > I would really like to see some members post a brief description

> of

> > how the experience was for them.

> >

> > As anyone who has ever seen me post here or at PTCB knows, I

> continue

> > to dream of the day when New York steps up and starts requiring

> more

> > of its technicians. I am a go-to person when it comes to getting

> > information out to the many technicians I come in contact with.

I

> > want everyone to be prepared (although we already do quite well

> with

> > encouraging everyone to voluntarily become certified)

> >

> > Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

> > Vicki

> > Rochester, New York

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hello Christian,

The last paragraph " 'Moral Terpitude' on your credit history here in Texas, can

you explain this more? I have not heard this, espexially when they do a back

ground check.

Two more days and job less......Thanks To grace,I'm getting through it.. I

think. You know I used to say I loved stress, I did my best work under stress,

I don't think I can say that now... It is effecting me all over

my body...heheee

Donna job less in Texas

vicki <vixenve@...> wrote: Christian, thank you for your information.

I am more specifically

looking for a description of what it was like for everyone WHEN these

requirements first took place. If you can, please describe what you

had to go through once the state of Texas decided to make

certification/registration a requirement.

From my previous email:

> > how was the process handled?

> > How long were existing techs given to fulfill this requirement?

> > Was there any sort of " grandfathering? "

> > Did the state track down all working techs, did employers become

> > responsible for making everyone complete their requirements, or

> was

> > everything the responsibility of the individual technician?

Thanks, Vicki

> >

> > One of the previous posts reminded me of a question I have been

> > meaning to throw out to the group...

> >

> > This is especially geared towards anyone from any state which has

> > recently (in the last few years)started requiring certification

of

> > its' technicians:

> >

> > how was the process handled?

> > How long were existing techs given to fulfill this requirement?

> > Was there any sort of " grandfathering? "

> > Did the state track down all working techs, did employers become

> > responsible for making everyone complete their requirements, or

> was

> > everything the responsibility of the individual technician?

> >

> > I would really like to see some members post a brief description

> of

> > how the experience was for them.

> >

> > As anyone who has ever seen me post here or at PTCB knows, I

> continue

> > to dream of the day when New York steps up and starts requiring

> more

> > of its technicians. I am a go-to person when it comes to getting

> > information out to the many technicians I come in contact with.

I

> > want everyone to be prepared (although we already do quite well

> with

> > encouraging everyone to voluntarily become certified)

> >

> > Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

> > Vicki

> > Rochester, New York

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Donna

" Of good character and moral turpitude " usually go together. Having good

morals. integrity that your morals willnot change. No 'black' marks regarding

your morals and judgement regarding them.

Mr Christian is much more verbose than I, and I am sure will have MORE to say

on this subject.

Love ya

Jeanetta

Donna Mackey <donna34056@...> wrote: Hello Christian,

The last paragraph " 'Moral Terpitude' on your credit history here in Texas, can

you explain this more? I have not heard this, espexially when they do a back

ground check.

Two more days and job less......Thanks To grace,I'm getting through it.. I

think. You know I used to say I loved stress, I did my best work under stress,

I don't think I can say that now... It is effecting me all over

my body...heheee

Donna job less in Texas

vicki <vixenve@...> wrote: Christian, thank you for your

information. I am more specifically

looking for a description of what it was like for everyone WHEN these

requirements first took place. If you can, please describe what you

had to go through once the state of Texas decided to make

certification/registration a requirement.

From my previous email:

> > how was the process handled?

> > How long were existing techs given to fulfill this requirement?

> > Was there any sort of " grandfathering? "

> > Did the state track down all working techs, did employers become

> > responsible for making everyone complete their requirements, or

> was

> > everything the responsibility of the individual technician?

Thanks, Vicki

> >

> > One of the previous posts reminded me of a question I have been

> > meaning to throw out to the group...

> >

> > This is especially geared towards anyone from any state which has

> > recently (in the last few years)started requiring certification

of

> > its' technicians:

> >

> > how was the process handled?

> > How long were existing techs given to fulfill this requirement?

> > Was there any sort of " grandfathering? "

> > Did the state track down all working techs, did employers become

> > responsible for making everyone complete their requirements, or

> was

> > everything the responsibility of the individual technician?

> >

> > I would really like to see some members post a brief description

> of

> > how the experience was for them.

> >

> > As anyone who has ever seen me post here or at PTCB knows, I

> continue

> > to dream of the day when New York steps up and starts requiring

> more

> > of its technicians. I am a go-to person when it comes to getting

> > information out to the many technicians I come in contact with.

I

> > want everyone to be prepared (although we already do quite well

> with

> > encouraging everyone to voluntarily become certified)

> >

> > Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

> > Vicki

> > Rochester, New York

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Donna,

I want to clarify and besure that you understant that technically

turpitude has negative connotations. But when used with the words 'of

good turpitude " its meaning is reversed.

Here are two legal definitions:

Everything done contrary to justice, honesty, modesty or good morals,

is said to be done with turpitude.

* www.new-york-lawyer.ws/law-dictionary/tribute.htm

depravity: a corrupt or depraved or degenerate act or practice; " the

various turpitudes of modern society "

wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=turpitude

I hope this helps you.

Respectfully,

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

Pharm Tech Educator

Founder/Owner of this site

> > >

> > > One of the previous posts reminded me of a question I have been

> > > meaning to throw out to the group...

> > >

> > > This is especially geared towards anyone from any state which

has

> > > recently (in the last few years)started requiring certification

> of

> > > its' technicians:

> > >

> > > how was the process handled?

> > > How long were existing techs given to fulfill this requirement?

> > > Was there any sort of " grandfathering? "

> > > Did the state track down all working techs, did employers become

> > > responsible for making everyone complete their requirements, or

> > was

> > > everything the responsibility of the individual technician?

> > >

> > > I would really like to see some members post a brief description

> > of

> > > how the experience was for them.

> > >

> > > As anyone who has ever seen me post here or at PTCB knows, I

> > continue

> > > to dream of the day when New York steps up and starts requiring

> > more

> > > of its technicians. I am a go-to person when it comes to

getting

> > > information out to the many technicians I come in contact with.

> I

> > > want everyone to be prepared (although we already do quite well

> > with

> > > encouraging everyone to voluntarily become certified)

> > >

> > > Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

> > > Vicki

> > > Rochester, New York

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>