what options do I have besides retail pharmacy? and how do I get there?

[2set50]

Hey everyone!

Happy new year I was wondering if someone can help me answer a few questions ..Having worked as a tech for a year and now a P1 student, I don't really like the retail setting where I have to deal with insurance issues and filling every day..what other career options do I have?

I would like to work in a clinic and/or hospitals where I get to counsel patients and help them manage their medications for the most part of my time, what do I need to do to land a position like that when I graduate? How do I get there?

Also, is there a difference between being a clinical pharmacist working in the hospital versus being a staff pharmacist..what's the difference?

Any comments from upper class students and experienced pharmacists who have worked in different areas are greatly appreciated!

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[Sparda29]

In the hospital as a staff pharmacist, the job is as clinical as you want it to be. Especially when you work 2nd shift, night shift, the clinical pharmacist's job is part of your job. Doctors call me at least 6-7 times a shift looking for dose/drug recommendations. I make IV to PO switches all the time, recommend vanco dose adjustments, etc.

Start working at a hospital as an intern/tech ASAP.

 

[samven582]

In the hospital as a staff pharmacist, the job is as clinical as you want it to be. Especially when you work 2nd shift, night shift, the clinical pharmacist's job is part of your job. Doctors call me at least 6-7 times a shift looking for dose/drug recommendations. I make IV to PO switches all the time, recommend vanco dose adjustments, etc.

Start working at a hospital as an intern/tech ASAP.

its kind of hard to work at a hospital when you have no experience at all.

 

[bacillus1]

You could go into ambulatory care. Lots of counseling patients and medication management in that field. Only problem is that there aren't too many ambulatory care jobs out there unless you do a PGY2.

 

[PharmA2016]

Hey everyone!

Happy new year I was wondering if someone can help me answer a few questions ..Having worked as a tech for a year and now a P1 student, I don't really like the retail setting where I have to deal with insurance issues and filling every day..what other career options do I have?

I would like to work in a clinic and/or hospitals where I get to counsel patients and help them manage their medications for the most part of my time, what do I need to do to land a position like that when I graduate? How do I get there?

Also, is there a difference between being a clinical pharmacist working in the hospital versus being a staff pharmacist..what's the difference?

Any comments from upper class students and experienced pharmacists who have worked in different areas are greatly appreciated!

Managed care

 

[xiphoid2010]

Most clinical pharmacist in a hospital don't do much patient counseling. Not because they can't but that's not their job which is full of dosing, rounding and recommend treatment regimens. For counseling you need ambulatory care, and places like VA or kaiser are the most renowned places, where pharmacists are even given limited prescribing rights.

You will want to work towards securing an internship or residency there if that's your goal.

 

[Sparda29]

its kind of hard to work at a hospital when you have no experience at all.

#1 - Look out constantly for pharmacy intern/tech jobs at hospitals online.
#2 - Ask your IPPE preceptor to hire you after completing the IPPE.

I did #2 after leaving Costco, and that's how I got into hospital.