Hospital Pharmacy Interview Question

[Teddybear123456]

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Hi guys,

Could you help me out with this question. I have been working as a retail rph for a chain for few years now, and I’m looking for a part time or PRN hospital staff job. I graduated in 2017 and The only clinical experience I had was rotations I had in my last year of pharmacy school. During the interview, if they ask me this question “ with your retail experiences, how can you prove that you will be a great candidate for this hospital Rph position” ? I will review all common hospital pharmacy related materials before the interview, but I’m not sure how to show them that I’m clinically competent for the job. (My plan is to review the clinical stuffs from the Naplex book before the interview). I know job market is so competitive and without any clinical experience, it s so difficult to set myself apart from other interview candidates. Thank you very much for your suggestions....

 

[Rouelle]

After being out only 2 years, you shouldn’t have lost too much of the knowledge needed to succeed in a hospital. Or if you have, it’ll come back quickly. I did something almost identical to you a few years back and got multiple hospital offers (and am still in the position that I eventually accepted). Emphasize your strengths, including an open mind to learning and confidence in your ability to do so. And, any place worth working at should train you fairly well before putting you out on your own. This is a very doable thing that you’re wanting to do.

 

[Teddybear123456]

Thank you for responding to my post so quick. They asked me that question last time and I didn’t prepare for it so I gave them the response they didn’t like. I don’t want to make the mistake again. I will take your suggestions...

 

[gwarm01]

Express that you are excited to learn, will take guidance from senior members of staff, and will follow any policies and procedures. Don't be afraid to ask questions when you need to.

Just make sure you mean it if you say this.

 

[Teddybear123456]

Express that you are excited to learn, will take guidance from senior members of staff, and will follow any policies and procedures. Don't be afraid to ask questions when you need to.

Just make sure you mean it if you say this.

Thank you !!!!!

 

[Xarelto-10]

There transferable skill sets between the two. So emphasize, your skills in prioritizing, drug information, utilizing clinical references to assist in drug interaction or compatibility, attention to detail etc.
hospitals are increasingly looking to cost avoidance through initiatives such as admission or discharge medication reconciliation. You can tell them how working in retail gives you the skills needed to do that and also assist patients with medication access and affordability issues when they are prescribed new meds they can’t afford.
Go shine, honestly, as long as you’re open to learn and willing to put the effort, hospital pharmacy isn’t all that it is made out to be.

 

[Rouelle]

Well stated, @Xarelto-10 .

OP, you are efficient, good at multitasking, have experience managing people in various settings, are used to performing in the face of adversity, attention to detail, and the list goes on. The specific knowledge is a just a detail...you’ll pick it up with a bit of time.

 

[Teddybear123456]

Well stated, @Xarelto-10 .

OP, you are efficient, good at multitasking, have experience managing people in various settings, are used to performing in the face of adversity, attention to detail, and the list goes on. The specific knowledge is a just a detail...you’ll pick it up with a bit of time.

Thank you for the ideas. I feel more confident now with my answers after reading all of your guys’ comments

 

[BidingMyTime]

It's a growing trend for hospitals to give a clinical knowledge test to prospective job applicants, so you may indeed get a chance to show them your actual knowledge.

 

[Teddybear123456]

My last PRN hospital interview I guess I was lucky they didn’t ask any clinical questions. But no I didn’t get the job

 

[gwarm01]

My first job had a handful of clinical questions, but it was really nothing intense. What steps would you take to evaluate a vanc trough, what would you do if an order comes through that is unsafe or inappropriate and the provider refuses to change it, stuff like that. It was like 5 minutes.

 

[gpb59]

Can anybody give me a good example if asked during an interview about a time you had to think outside the box?

 

[wucool33]

Thank you for the ideas. I feel more confident now with my answers after reading all of your guys’ comments

Everyone else already told you what the admin. Wants to hear. But if you want to stand out, don’t just tell them things like you are a quick leaner, actually provide specific examples that shows you are one. I jumped from retail to hospital too, so it’s definitely doable! Good luck!

 

[pharmgyal001]

did you ever apply to another hospital PRN staff job? did they ever mention to you why you didn't get the position?