Best time to look for per-diem jobs?

[StriveForGlory]

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Im going to be graduating pharmacy school in May, and have decided to pursue further graduate education. However I am still interested in obtaining my license and practicing pharmacy. Im looking for a job that where i can work 1-4 shifts a month, with a few random last minute shifts thrown in. I would also be willing to pick up shifts during breaks from school.

-What is the best time to start looking for such a job? Should I start calling around now or wait until closer to graduation?
-What is the best way to approach setting up a schedule like the one I have outlined above? My free time will be dictated by school work, which will be quite variable over the course of the school year.
-How do hospital and retail per-diem jobs compare? I have a little retail experience but have done a ton of hospital work (6+ years at multiple hospitals).

Thanks for any help you guys can offer me!

 

[hereticmnk]

I am in the same boat as you. There isn't really a best time tbh. Looking for jobs around graduation would work cuz retail chains get their budgets to allow for the influx of the new grads. Looking for a job way later can work as well. Pharmacists leave for some unforeseen circumstances all the time. When I didn't have a job, I would compulsively check indeed for part time/prn jobs. I found that places that are looking for full time help will consider part time/prn help as well so its always good to check. So in conclusion, no best time, always be vigilant.

 

[Alby]

Make connections and let people know what you are looking for, per diem gigs help everyone involved. I lucked out and got a per diem job early in my first year of med school. It is challenging to handle both schedules... You have to be able to commit 100% to all the shifts you take. Also, if you are very flexible, you will be appreciated. I often take last minute weekend shifts and have gone in with <1 hour notice to cover emergencies, also offer to work all holidays! My hours vary widely from one shift every 2weeks to 40 hour weeks... It's very possible! Best if luck! Welcome to the small but growing family of future PharmD/MDs.

 

[xiphoid2010]

When another quit or when budget gets approved are good times. I don't have control over the first but the second happens at regular times. However, each company's fiscal year is different, the HR is also notoriously slow, and there may already be pre-selected candidates.... OK, so the answer is its hard to tell. Who you know is big. Why would I hire someone never knew with someone I worked well with before?

 

[rxlea]

Are per diem jobs in am care an option you think? I'm going to be looking for a per diem or part time job while I finish my grad degree.

Has anyone done per diem for rural locations?

I'm not really a retail kind of person (I think I would suck at it). Maybe at an independent place.

The per diem people I know have a lot of work experience already. I'm not sure I could compete with that. How competitive are these gigs?

Consulting would be another option but I don't want to be completely out of touch with clinical/patient interaction skills.