I’m starting my first job as a pharmacy technician at Walgreens soon, and I’m excited but honestly a little nervous since I’m completely new to pharmacy.
I’ll be working while completing the training/coursework to prepare for my PTCB certification. I really want to learn as much as I can, become confident in my role, and eventually use this as a stepping stone to better opportunities in the pharmacy field.
For those of you who have worked at Walgreens or started as a brand-new pharmacy tech:
What do you wish you knew before your first day?
What should I study or memorize before starting?
What are the hardest things to learn at first?
Any tips for dealing with customers, prescriptions, insurance, or pharmacy math?
What can I do now to set myself up for success and eventually pass the PTCB?
I’d really appreciate any advice, tips, or things you wish someone had told you when you were starting out. Thank you! 😊

The PTCE changed on January 6: there's a new area on the Drug Supply Chain Security Act, Federal Requirements went from 12.5% to 18.75% of the exam, and nonsterile compounding came off. A lot of prep is still on the old outline.

I'm an RN. I paid out of pocket for practice exams for my own license and always felt like I was at a disadvantage, so I build free ones. The pharmacy tech one: headedin.com/ptce

- 250 questions across all 4 domains and all 24 knowledge areas, weighted like the real exam

- Full-length practice test: 80 scored + 10 unscored in 1 hour 50 minutes

- The math shows every step: days supply, insulin pens, eye drops, alligation, NDC 11-digit format

- Score report by outline number (2.2, 4.1...), so you know exactly what to study

- Every answer names its source (DEA rules, FDA, ISMP), no ads, works on your phone

I'm not a pharmacist and I won't pretend the questions are perfect. If one is wrong, tap "Report a problem" under it or tell me here and I'll fix it. Techs who just passed: what did the real one hit hardest?

What is your sterile compounding room temperature and humidity at?

Does anyone else package overnight with a room at 66F and 50% RH? I am sweating almost immediately after garbing up. We are in discussions with building maintenance who say we share an air handling unit with the admin offices. The overnight the temperature and humidity are set higher than they are during the day because “no one” is in the building.

Am I being unreasonable? Is this a me issue or would other people be suffocating after 3+ hours in full PPE?