Transitioning to Industry from Hospital

[eaglesfan1392]

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Hello

I am a current clinical pharmacist who is <1 year into the job and fresh off of 2 years of residency training. I have always had an idea of being clinical, but I plan to transition to an industry position or FDA/NIH job due to the lifestyle, but also that is where I have some interest.

Don't get me wrong, I love taking care of patients and plan to do so for the beginning of my career. But, I would like to know if there is anyone out there who has made the transition, could tell me about what type of job they got, industry vs. government, and any tips for someone who sees them self taking the same path. I know MSL is a popular position among pharmacists in industry, but are there any other options?

Thanks in advance!

 

[bacillus1]

I've applied to a few MSL positions, and no replies so far. They all want MSL (or similar) experience. I've seen a few of my coworkers go to the FDA. Seems like a nice lifestyle, but the pay is a bit low there. Also regulatory work may get somewhat boring, depending on what you're looking for in a job. I myself would consider CMS as I like formulary management, but again, pay is low there. Could probably negotiate a salary match, but then I would be at the top of their payscale with no room for raises.

 

[JWNGeorge]

All I can say is it's unfortunate you did two years of residency instead of a one or two year Fellowship.

 

[DOOM N GLOOM]

Hello

I am a current clinical pharmacist who is <1 year into the job and fresh off of 2 years of residency training. I have always had an idea of being clinical, but I plan to transition to an industry position or FDA/NIH job due to the lifestyle, but also that is where I have some interest.

Don't get me wrong, I love taking care of patients and plan to do so for the beginning of my career. But, I would like to know if there is anyone out there who has made the transition, could tell me about what type of job they got, industry vs. government, and any tips for someone who sees them self taking the same path. I know MSL is a popular position among pharmacists in industry, but are there any other options?

Thanks in advance!

A clinical pharmacist trying to break into industry is in the same situation as a retail pharmacist that is trying to break into a hospital role. Do such cases exist? Yes. But you won’t get very far without connections since your skill sets are too different.

 

[eaglesfan1392]

On the contrary JWNGeorge, I am very happy that I chose the residency route because I like the patient care aspect - but I do like keeping my options open. Especially since I do like some parts of the industry side. I just had dinner with an ex-coworker who made the transition from Critical Care Clinical Pharmacist at a large academic medical center to MSL for a company. He seems to like it so far, but I will probably follow up a year from now.

DOOM N GLOOM, my impression when talking to industry pharmacist is that quite a few do have significant clinical training whether that be a residency or even just hospital experience. I thought that industry people would value that I have clinical experience as opposed to retail people or fellowship grads.

I guess my best option is to just look when my contract at my current hospital is up and maybe go for it if I'm qualified...

 

[DOOM N GLOOM]

On the contrary JWNGeorge, I am very happy that I chose the residency route because I like the patient care aspect - but I do like keeping my options open. Especially since I do like some parts of the industry side. I just had dinner with an ex-coworker who made the transition from Critical Care Clinical Pharmacist at a large academic medical center to MSL for a company. He seems to like it so far, but I will probably follow up a year from now.

DOOM N GLOOM, my impression when talking to industry pharmacist is that quite a few do have significant clinical training whether that be a residency or even just hospital experience. I thought that industry people would value that I have clinical experience as opposed to retail people or fellowship grads.

I guess my best option is to just look when my contract at my current hospital is up and maybe go for it if I'm qualified...

There is a higher proportion of pharmacists with “clinical backgrounds” in MSL and med info roles in industry, but these jobs represent only 5-10% of all pharmacist jobs in pharma. Most industry roles you would never hear about if you worked in hospital/retail, since the only industry folks you’ll ever see are the field-based ones that come to your hospital. If that is your impression of what a pharmacist does in industry, that is fine, but just know that you are grossly overestimating the number of pharmacists who have clinical backgrounds in industry.

Put another way, if 50% of MSLs have residency/hospital background but only 10% of industry pharmacists are MSLs, then you might be thinking that you have a 50% chance of getting into industry but in reality have a 10%x50%= 5% chance of getting into pharma as an MSL.

 

[spacecowgirl]

Most of the people on my team have a "clinical background" (hospital or ambulatory care w/board certification) and residency training.

 

[ornithoptor]

If you are already in hospital setting, you are in luck.

Try to squeeze into investigational drug division, I have know people who made the transition. You will likely get chance to with manufacturers. You could network to land you a job.

Governmental work is a lot more difficult, but systematic. State job are published, and you just have to monitor and apply. Sometime they don't respond for 6 to 9 months. Federal job can be easier if you have the connection and passed clearance and background check.