Nuclear Pharmacy Mentoring Thread

[nuclearRPh]

I'm a board-certified Nuclear Pharmacist with 4 years of experience working with radiopharmaceuticals. I'm happy to answer your questions about the process of becoming a nuclear pharmacist and obtaining board certification. I can also discuss the ways that nuclear pharmacy differs from traditional pharmacy practice and how you as students can prepare yourself during school to pursue nuclear pharmacy as a specialty.

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[nuclearRPh]

What is Nuclear Pharmacy?
Nuclear pharmacy is a specialty area of pharmacy practice dedicated to the compounding and dispensing of radioactive materials for use in nuclear medicine procedures. A specialty area of pharmacy practice is one that requires a concentration of knowledge in a once specific area. The development of nuclear pharmacy as a specialty area followed the development of nuclear medicine as a recognized specialty by the American Medical Association in the early 1970's. Click to read more: Purdue University Division of Nuclear Pharmacy

Click here to read about the History of Nuclear Pharmacy

What is meant by BCNP?
A board certified nuclear pharmacist is certified by the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties. Nuclear pharmacy has been recognized as a certified specialty practice area since 1978. To become a board-certified nuclear pharmacist one must be a graduate of an accredited school of pharmacy, hold an active pharmacist license, complete 4000 hours of training/experience in nuclear pharmacy and pass the Nuclear Pharmacy Speciality Certification Examination. Read more

 

[nuclearRPh]

I personally did not have any formal training while in pharmacy school for nuclear pharmacy. Upon being hired by my employer, I took a 10 week didactic training course through the University of New Mexico, a 3 week hands-on practical lab at the corporate office, and did 500 hours internship.
There are no restrictions as to who may be a nuclear pharmacist (assuming you have a pharmacy license and obtain authorized user status). In my company, pregnant women who declare their pregnancy are required to wear a fetal body dosimeter which measures the radiation dose to the fetus. This is usually never a problem as we have many safety precautions.
Job opportunities are not easy to find. You will most likely be in or near a major city, and perhaps not the city that you want. It wouldn't hurt to ask all the nuclear pharmacy employers to see what is available.

I am very interested in hearing from you regarding how to prepare during school to become a nuclear pharmacist as well as the process of becoming a nuclear pharmacist.
Also, are there any restirctions as to who is able to become a nuclear pharmacist (i.e., women of childbearing age or pregnant women) and are there many job opportunities around the country or are they limited?

 

[nuclearRPh]

What made you choose nuclear over retail and hospital?
More specialized atmosphere with more chance of career advancement. Also, less frustrations that can sometime be found in retail.

I hope to find a nuclear pharmacy internship later this year. What type of duties do nuclear pharm techs and interns have compared to nuclear pharmacists?
The nuclear pharmacy techs have a good deal of responsibility. There are certain procedures that only pharmacist may perform but this is still a good learning opportunity for the technician.

What is your typical day like? Is it hectic like a day in retail or is there quite a bit of downtime? I've heard the schedule can be difficult... involving very early morning shifts and late night shifts. If this is true, is it bearable and worth it?
The early morning shifts are the hardest part to get used to. However, the atmosphere is excellent. It is much more relaxed.

How long was your post-grad studying to get BPS certified?
I studied for the BPS exam part-time for ~2 months prior.

Do companies like Mallinckrodt and Cardinal typically pay fresh graduates full salary while working towards certification? Yes

Is the pay on the same level as retail? And how is the demand compared to retail? Would I be able to find a job in almost any city?
Pay is similar. Demand is much less, unfortunately.

Do nuclear pharmacists have a good chance to advance through the ranks of the company? yes

How much patient, doctor or nurse interaction do you have? limited

Are there parts of nuclear pharmacy that may spark a passion for the job? (what about the career do you absolutely love?)
I enjoy the professionalism and the general atmosphere in which I work. I feel that I can better serve the profession through this job.

 

[nuclearRPh]

How is the lifestyle of a nuclear pharmacist? I heard that some employers require you to take on call.
The lifestyle depends, like retail, on the location itself. In a lab with more than 3 pharmacists, the lifestyle is pretty relaxed and flexible. I currently have on staff 6 pharmacists at my location. I take call one night a week and work 1 week of night shift per month. I also work every 6th weekend. Personally, the benefits of working in a nuclear setting far outweigh the downsides.

Do nuclear pharmacists have the opportunity to work overtime just like retail pharmacists do?
Nuclear pharmacists in my experience have very little opportunity to work overtime at their lab. Many do work outside, in either retail or hospital, for extra income.

I've heard stories that some pharmacists working with chemo had to be stripped naked when they accidently spilled some chemicals on themselves, does that happen in nuclear pharmacy?
Fortunately, no. Our radiation precautions are very intense. Generally speaking, if someone spilled some radioactive material on their lab coat, they would simply remove the lab coat and put the lab coat in the decay area. If radioactive material ever got on someone's skin, such as a needle-stick, we have procedures in place to effectively deal with this.

 

[Neuronix]

This thread is closed until an advisor can be found. Would you like to be an advisor for this topic? PM me for details.