Weird work situation

[okczol]

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Hi all,

this is my first post here and I'll try to be brief about my situation.

I'm a foreign grad pharmacist from Canada and worked there for 8 years.

Even though i was born there and English is my first language still had to go through all the FPGEC crap and take a TOEFL test.

I'm here in the US and am waiting on a greencard as my wife is sponsoring me.

I passed the Naplex recently (my score was actually pretty good - I honestly don't know how since I really felt like dog turds after the exam considering all the easy questions I'm sure I screwed up - I was like on the last question with 2 minutes left)

I haven't done the MPJE for the state that I want to ultimately work in but here is my weird situation:

The state board where I'm applying for a license graciously waived any required interning hours based on my 8 years of work experience in Canada plus my university rotation hours. Not only that I'm a BSc only.

So once I get a greencard and pass the MPJE I can apply to work in any chain or independent pharmacy in the state that I'm applying for a license.

My issue is that I'm a creature of habit and learn by repetition - I would like to practice and take baby steps in learning about a new healthcare system - something that an internship allows for. I don't want to walk into a brand new working environment thinking I'm competent simply because the employer thinks I am since I have a pulse and can sign my name 300 times a day.

Problem is is that if I want to work as an intern it means I'd have to voluntarily register as one in the state I want to work in even though the state is being so nice to me in allowing me to become a licensed pharmacist so quickly - I can't believe that I've been so lucky during this whole process of moving down here.

So for anyone reading this post what would you do if you were in my shoes? Would you do a voluntary internship or jump straight into being a pharmacist and tell any prospective employers about your lack of American pharmacy working experience and say you need some "practice time"?

FYI I hate chains and always tried to work in smaller, independent stores in Canada and if I have to walk into every one of them in my area here I will do so.

whew - so much for being brief.....I don't wanna say the name of the state but if you want to know pm me thanks.

 

[BidingMyTime]

I wouldn't intern--not only is it a paycut, it will make the board question your aptitude since they already offered you a pharmacist license, being an intern won't do away with the learning curve of your future pharmacist job, and I suspect it will be more difficult to find a job as an intern in your situation. I also wouldn't talk about needing baby steps to an employer. I think its find, even good, to be honest about this being your first job in the states and that you aren't really sure what to expect--but then I would focus on your can-do, willing-to-learn attitude. Then when you start the job, just ask all the questions you need to, its to be expected. There is a learning adjustment for anyone changing jobs, even when they are going to a similar job. Be confident in yourself.

 

[farmadiazepine]

You don't need to intern. Get your license. Any questions just call the next chain down the block and ask them. Or ask your supervisor. Or ask another colleague that works for the company, they can give you the answers. The health care system in America is pretty simple for pharmacy. Patient gives a prescription. You fill it. Then they pay for it. Any other kinks along the way your techs can address or you can ask somebody.

 

[Praziquantel86]

You'll have a training period at whatever job you start with, which should give you more than enough time to familiarize yourself with the U.S. way of doing things. It's not too different from what is done in Canada, with the exception of multiple regulations from multiple payors and jurisdictions. No need to do an internship to figure those out - passing the MPJE and a standard training course should be more than enough.

 

[okczol]

thanks everyone for the advice....many good points raised by all of you!