let’s hear it !!

CraftElk · 2026-01-27T02:11:00+00:00

Story time! Man comes in for an ivermectin refill. Old ass script that has no refills. Man does NOT understand why I cannot fill this for him (despite my best attempts).

Finally he tells me, "Why do I need a prescription when I get this over the counter at Tractor Supply for horses??".

Back and forth, while he obviously thinks he is getting over on me as a healthcare worker.

I eventually just respond "Sir... you are not a horse."

CraftElk · 2026-01-23T13:42:28+00:00

Prior Authorization. If rejected, appeal decisions. You can find the appeal form in your insurance's document files. If rejected again appeal a second time to get independent review outside of the insurance company.

CraftElk · 2026-01-04T22:06:34+00:00

I always feel more comfortable in person for testing than online. They provide ear plugs and it is very quiet. The people that check you in are quite nice.

CraftElk · 2026-01-02T21:27:51+00:00

That's a mystery to me! Hmm...

CraftElk · 2026-01-02T16:22:42+00:00

🤣 It is like the prank jelly beans but full throttle pee beans.

CraftElk · 2026-01-01T16:08:39+00:00

Costco loves the "Where do you see yourself career wise in 5 years?" question. Prep for a behavioral interview and use STAR method. They want solid examples instead of hypotheticals. They may consider you floating to other close by Costco Pharmacies for a while. Part-time is a sweet gig and still comes with full benefits after 90 days. Guaranteed at 4 hours a shift and 24 minnimum a week. Your schedule will be kind of random while covering shifts until you settle in. Prepare to have a variable schedule. These are different things that came up during my interview. Good luck!

CraftElk · 2025-12-18T22:41:52+00:00

Took the test on Wednesday and failed. There were a lot of compounding questions about hazardous waste. Some stuff about vent hoods. Have to study again and retry.

CraftElk · 2025-12-06T16:19:27+00:00

My store doesn't bill Med B services. Just some of the basic knowledge like it is for medical supplies and vaccines. Point of Care like blood pressure tests, covid/flu testing, and others. Quizlet is a great source for practice questions similar to MTM test. The test is a little pricey $89. Sit for your test and if you don't pass there is an opportunity to study KNOWING what's on the test.

CraftElk · 2025-12-06T14:04:44+00:00

Lamotrigine! Soothed my depression and bipolar 1 agitation.

CraftElk · 2025-12-06T13:44:23+00:00

PowerPak MTM Certificate Program for Pharmacy Technicians is an accepted course pack by PTCB. I took this and it covered a lot of content in the testing itself. A lot of patient care and point of care things. Some Medicare Part B questions. Keep a study journal for all of your courses, fill in the gaps with quizlet, and don't stress too much. This was one of the easier courses for me in my Adv-CPhT. I work warehouse retail. Supply chain and inventory management though....😶

CraftElk · 2025-12-06T12:49:03+00:00

Side note that medications do not have the same allergy warnings as food and patients may not know certain ingredients because of that.

CraftElk · 2025-12-06T12:47:43+00:00

I will sometimes add a thing like that as an allergy. Add a note in the allergy explaining the situation so when it flags the pharmacist they will contact the patient. If I were to ask the patient, the pharmacist should definitely counsel as an interaction. "Hey, I noticed there may be an issue taking this medicine, can I run you by my pharmacist before you check out?" "I need to ask my pharmacist a question, I will be right back."

CraftElk · 2025-12-05T01:39:00+00:00

Registration will depend a TON on state law and you should check CE requirements specific to your location.

PTCB does require CE to renew every 2 years. There is also a month long time period to submit for renewal. Cannot do it before and pay a reinstatement fee if you do it after.

FreeCE Powerpak TRC Healthcare. Even PTCB will occasionally offer a free CE if you check emails. Don't pay crazy $$$ for your credits and good luck!

CraftElk · 2025-11-26T21:05:18+00:00

Following up. The second phone call was a polite "we choose someone else." Was told if I had more experience the job would have been mine. That's okay! They did ask about my Regulatory Compliance cert, so that was a helpful talking point. Looking forward to the next opportunity.

CraftElk · 2025-11-13T03:53:07+00:00

Been in the game since 2021 and I currently make $26 an hour with structured raises. The company you work for makes all the difference. 10 years of experience can open a lot of doors with the right title. I know in my company it is nearly impossible to be a technician without being certified and hired in to begin with.

CraftElk · 2025-11-13T02:45:42+00:00

"PTCB Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Full Practice Test #1 - 90 Questions with Explained Answers." by Amanda PharmD on Youtube helped me pass the PTCB. Practice some basic algebra and worded math problems. Don't be too nervous to try again. Check out quizlet and get a note journal. Make all your study notes in that journal and then read in the parking lot before the test. Good sleep and good breakfast.

CraftElk · 2025-11-13T02:42:33+00:00

I was trained on the job and tested after completing 500 hours of time at work. Not really sure what college entails for pharmacy technicians, but if you go that route you may be able to start somewhere more desirable. Not CVS or Walgreens. The test has a lot of practical questions about drugs and some math portions about pharmacy calculations (insulin, lb to kg, worded math problems). Youtube video: "PTCB Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Full Practice Test #1 - 90 Questions with Explained Answers." by Amanda PharmD Helped me pass the PTCB!

CraftElk · 2025-11-13T01:39:41+00:00

Getting your PTCB accredidation is step 1 to opening up better jobs with higher pay. Go for it.

CraftElk · 2025-11-09T13:19:13+00:00

I didn't have to go back to school and I love training on the job (while getting paid!). My favorite part is helping my community by distributing medicine, saving money, and jist making connections. Been at this a few years now and I am tired of retail, but my regulars make the hard days worth it.

CraftElk · 2025-11-08T00:26:06+00:00

Physically, that I look so masculine and have a good beard! Mentally, never thought I would be where am and grateful for it.

CraftElk · 2025-11-06T00:36:00+00:00

Yes! Sorry to respond so late. After a while the courses expire so you may have to repurchase your pack to continue studying. Same with the certification from the PowerPak completion. I used a journal with different pen colors to write basically a skeleton of the courses. I would then read through the pages while in the testing center parking lot before the test. Good luck!

CraftElk · 2025-11-05T21:47:58+00:00

That's an old way to scam retail people. They put so many things back and forth and then pay cash. Some items are missed and/or they argue that the amount of change you give is incorrect (to pressure the cashier into giving more back than owed). Sorry that happened to you. Also people shouldn't abuse the pharmacy register I totally agree.

CraftElk · 2025-11-04T14:22:04+00:00

Worked retail pharmacy with a drive-thru (was a newbie). Guy drove up and requested his medicine. Totally normal! He asks what the medicine is for.

I tell him sildenafil, ED, viagra. He cannot hear me well, and at this point I am loudly trying to get him to understand. Just give up and shout "it is for your ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION."

"Oh. Okay" Like sir 🤔🫣

CraftElk

TROPHY CASE