Which tech job do you think is better?

[romaniangirl]

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So I'm starting pharmacy school in the fall and currently work for a large retail chain (I've been there 2 years). I really feel like I'm not learning anything valuable anymore that would benefit me for pharm school, so I'm looking for a new job. I know that seniority at a company comes in really handy when looking for a job as a rph, so I don't want to just pick any place. I'm currently hoping to do a PGY1/PGY2, but I wouldn't mind a staff position either (obviously I would prefer hospital if at all possible). I'm looking for a job I can keep throughout pharmacy school and have a good relationship with my employe,r so that I can either get a PGY1 spot or a staff position. That being said, I have two options at this point:

Both hospitals are the same company

Small, 300 bed community hospital
Pros:
It's closer to my house
I don't have to pay for parking
It's a PRN Weekend position so fits in really well with school schedule
I have family friends who work in the pharmacy
I have family who work here (not in the pharmacy)

Cons:
Not a teaching/research hospital
Possibly just doing basic tech work for 4 years

Large, 1,200 bed teaching hospital
Pros:
Teaching hospital with highly reputable residency program
Lots of pharmacy students do their APPEs here so good for networking
High possibility of being able to do various research projects

Cons:
Kinda far (~1 hour from where I live)
Have to pay for parking :/
I don't have any connections here
Most likely job would be in Children's section of the hospital, but I'm not really interested in a PGY2 in pediatrics

Pharmacy students and current pharmacists, what's your opinion?

 

[Old Timer]

Go and meet your preceptors. You have a crappy one now. My kids learn from me all the time. I presently have 4 interns and when they graduate they will have plenty of experience. Last year in our district the best two interns got fellowships.

 

[Topcat15]

I think commuting an hour (each way?) to work and paying for parking to work in an area that doesn't interest you would get old pretty fast during pharmacy school. Do you know for a fact the first job will be "basic" tech work? I started as a technician at my job but by the end of P4 year I was entering TPNs and doing vanco/warfarin dosing. You say you have family friends in the pharmacy, so ask them if they'll be willing to show you more clinical things while you're at work.

That said, don't underestimate the value of tech work in a hospital. Every time you fill a drug in the Pyxis, you can go over its mechanism, brand/generic, major counseling points, etc in your head. Getting experience making IVs will put you ahead of many of your classmates, as this is an area most pharmacy schools do not emphasize but is a valuable skill for being a hospital pharmacist. You will understand the processes in the hospital from the bottom-up and therefore know what common errors and problems to be on the lookout for as a pharmacist.

Both jobs sound valuable but personally I'd go for the more pleasant, less inconvenient work environment. Working as an intern does not guarantee you a residency or job at that place four years from now, so personally I wouldn't base my decision on thinking that is a certainty.

 

[romaniangirl]

Thank you so much for your advice! I'm not 100% sure it would be just basic tech work, but since it is a smaller community hospital, that's what i figured. I'm not sure that they will upgrade me to intern and might just keep me as a tech all 4 years, but I guess I see your point that either way I would still get valuable hospital experience. I do know that it's not for sure that I would land a position with them, but I figured it's more likely to get a residency spot/hospital staff position if I have some hospital experience rather than staying with a large, retail chain.

 

[Lucky One]

The drive is too long and the first option would still be listed under "hospital" experience so I'd go with the first. You are correct in assuming that hospital experience would you can snag one of those spots it would help for residency or hospital staff. Just have to make sure to keep your grades up as well to remain competitive.

I just started training at a chain with a great group of individuals right when 5 spots just opened up at my academic medical institution . Well at least we'll see if I like the retail warrior life.