expat opportunities in pharmacy

[Dred Pirate]

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I wish I would have done this 10 years ago when I knew the job market would be waiting for me when I return, but the wife and I are seriously considering becoming expats - at least for a couple of years. Financially we are in a good place, student loans almost paid off- minimums are very very low.

That being said, for a couple of reasons I would actually like to work as a pharmacists where ever we would end up. I don't need to make US salaries, but would like to at least live "decent", meaning a relatively safe area with basic amenities. Also I would like to keep working as a pharmacist so my resume doesn't have some huge whole in it when we want to move back. (As much as I wold love to work as a bartender in a beach bar, that doesn't help me to get a job when we come back). Also would like to have at least reasonable access to fly back to the US without sacrificing my first born child to buy a plane ticket.

Anybody have any ideas of places to consider? Also remember, I am English only, not that I don't mind trying to learn survival (insert any language here) - but I will never be proficient in another language enough to use it for work.

I know there are some military bases overseas that may employ health care workers, but not sure if those are military only positions. We are thinking someplace with a much slower pace of life (love the tropics, etc).

Open to ideas!

 

[WVUPharm2007]

If Trump gets elected, my wife claims she's on the first plane to somewhere else. I figure I'll have to go with her.

 

[Digsbe]

Only country I could think of that would have cheaper flights and speak English is Canada, but then again it feels very very much like the US so if you're wanting something new that might not be the best option.

I see job adds for pharmacists on military bases, it indicates the only requirement is any state license and to be a US citizen so you may be able to land one of those positions. You could also look into moving to a US territory like Puerto Rico or the US Virgin islands.

Other obvious English speaking countries would be the UK, Australia, New Zealand (which I hear is amazingly beautiful), South Africa, and Singapore (which surprisingly supposedly has a high English speaking population). With these countries though you're looking at expensive flights home except for maybe some deals in and out of the UK. You might want to look into what steps you'd have to take to get a pharmacist license in those countries as well as permanent resident status. Also note the US will tax you on your foreign income even if you don't live here, but if you make less than ~120k in US dollar equivalence you can usually write it off from what I'm told.

 

[ldiot]

If Trump gets elected, my wife claims she's on the first plane to somewhere else. I figure I'll have to go with her.

Better reserve your ticket, lol

 

[holymolys]

DoD do have RPh positions in military bases overseas (usajobs.com), some contractor may have them as well (much harder to find if you don't know where to look), you can get those jobs as a civilian. Tho, they are probably extremely competitive as they are Gov positions

 

[ldiot]

I see US army postings for a base in Hawaii. I don't know if these jobs actually exist/how competitive they are and I think you would be considered active duty.

 

[Dred Pirate]

I see US army postings for a base in Hawaii. I don't know if these jobs actually exist/how competitive they are and I think you would be considered active duty.

pretty sure Hawaii is part of the united states 🙂

Back in school I saw a job posting for Yap - very good salary (more than I made in the US) - and included 2 flights a year home to the US - some sort of American hospital - canada? naw - just like the US but colder -
The UK could be cool, as would New Zealand, but part of me wants a total chill life - Puerto Rico? Think I would need Spanish - the USVI are an option, I have had two friends work there, one loved it, one hated it. So who knows. I know the middle east has options in "american hospitals" - whatever that means, but that is not my style.

thanks all!

 

[WVUPharm2007]

Better reserve your ticket, lol

That frickin' snake oil salesman ain't gonna win.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

Only country I could think of that would have cheaper flights and speak English is Canada, but then again it feels very very much like the US so if you're wanting something new that might not be the best option.

I see job adds for pharmacists on military bases, it indicates the only requirement is any state license and to be a US citizen so you may be able to land one of those positions. You could also look into moving to a US territory like Puerto Rico or the US Virgin islands.

Other obvious English speaking countries would be the UK, Australia, New Zealand (which I hear is amazingly beautiful), South Africa, and Singapore (which surprisingly supposedly has a high English speaking population).

English is spoken fluently by the majority of the population all over the world in numerous places, too. Belize and many countries in the Caribbean speak English natively. You also forget to list Ireland in obvious primary language countries category. Plus European countries like Iceland, The Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway have a population where pretty much everyone under 50 speaks English.

 

[holymolys]

pretty sure Hawaii is part of the united states 🙂

Back in school I saw a job posting for Yap - very good salary (more than I made in the US) - and included 2 flights a year home to the US - some sort of American hospital - canada? naw - just like the US but colder -
The UK could be cool, as would New Zealand, but part of me wants a total chill life - Puerto Rico? Think I would need Spanish - the USVI are an option, I have had two friends work there, one loved it, one hated it. So who knows. I know the middle east has options in "american hospitals" - whatever that means, but that is not my style.

thanks all!

You shouldn't need to learn the local language for work purposes if you are working in a US mil base, majority if not all of your co-works are going to be american citizens. Infact most would need to give up their dual citizenships when obtaining security clearance, so I'm gonna guess basic English is pretty much expected.

 

[BidingMyTime]

pretty sure Hawaii is part of the united states 🙂
but part of me wants a total chill life - Puerto Rico?

Pretty sure Puerto Rico is consider part of the United States as well (even if it isn't officially a state.)

 

[Dred Pirate]

Pretty sure Puerto Rico is consider part of the United States as well (even if it isn't officially a state.)

as is the USVI - but at least you feel like you are in a different country -(although Hawaii does feel like a different country)

 

[Dred Pirate]

DoD do have RPh positions in military bases overseas (usajobs.com), some contractor may have them as well (much harder to find if you don't know where to look), you can get those jobs as a civilian. Tho, they are probably extremely competitive as they are Gov positions

and where would one start to to try to find the contractor jobs? USAjobs.com doesn't have any rph jobs overseas - already looked 🙂

 

[Digsbe]

and where would one start to to try to find the contractor jobs? USAjobs.com doesn't have any rph jobs overseas - already looked 🙂

There are a few: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/417225400/

Looks like Belgium, Hungary, Germany, Italy, and Japan have spots.

 

[holymolys]

and where would one start to to try to find the contractor jobs? USAjobs.com doesn't have any rph jobs overseas - already looked 🙂

Check the link in the post above this one, they usually say they have positions.

Contractor jobs are hard to say, since staffing companies probably varies from region to region even within the US, so you don't know where to send your CVs or who to call til they post those jobs on job boards, which you just have to keep an eye on and frankly I am not sure where you'd begin your search for positions overseas.

 

[ldiot]

That frickin' snake oil salesman ain't gonna win.

Time will tell. The Republican field hasn't consolidated even even if they do it may already be too late. Trump has cross-over appeal in the general which he is already leveraging... not to mention he would be running against Hillary Clinton. Even Mickey Mouse would win that match-up. I personally like Cruz but Rubio and Kasich won't get out of the way and who knows why Carson is even running at this point.

 

[sosoo]

singapore would be perfect. the lifestyle is westernized, and english speakers are everywhere. salary, im guessing $3,000 a month?

 

[Dred Pirate]

singapore would be perfect. the lifestyle is westernized, and english speakers are everywhere. salary, im guessing $3,000 a month?

I never realized singapore was a predominant english speaking country - I think we would love more of a laid back area - not metro crazy city - maybe northern australia? (although the flights to the US are another story)

 

[panasoniku]

Mid East (mostly Dubai) has a lot of openings for US PharmDs. Don't know if your wife would like living there, though.

 

[Dred Pirate]

Mid East (mostly Dubai) has a lot of openings for US PharmDs. Don't know if your wife would like living there, though.

thanks, but no thanks, not our cup of tea

 

[gwarm01]

Mid East (mostly Dubai) has a lot of openings for US PharmDs. Don't know if your wife would like living there, though.

Any English speaking gigs? That sounds like fun.

 

[Dred Pirate]

Any English speaking gigs? That sounds like fun.

There are - I know somebody who took one - although they were arabic (born in US)

 

[panasoniku]

Any English speaking gigs? That sounds like fun.

An old thread:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/once-in-a-lifetime-pharmacist-offer.1061439/

 

[Dred Pirate]

lets move to Guam? Sure the hospital isn't accredited, but who cares!
http://www.gmha.org/gmha_new/GMHA_Current_JOBS.htm