- Email: [email protected]
Points to consider when entering the job market
Points to consider when entering the job market Where do you want your pharmacy career to be in 5 years? 10 years? As you have read, there are numerous settings from which to choose. Which interests you most? And have you thought about your retirement planning yet? Yes, these are a lot of questions to ponder, but there is no better time to think about these issues than right now. So take a deep breath, sit back, and thoughtfully consider these career planning tips from Curtis Pryor, vice president of Allied Consulting, a national allied health care professional search firm based in Irving, Tex. • Explore before you decide. How do you know which setting is best for you? You might try working as a pharmacy technician while still in school. It will give you a big "leg up" on the competition while allowing you to experience several settings. • Find a mentor. Cultivate the acquaintance of pharmacists in both retail and clinical settings. Find out what they like and dislike about their positions. When reviewing opportunities, deter-
PHARMACISTS If you're interested in joining an internationally known and respected facility which sets the standard in healthcare. look no further! Henry Ford Hospital, a 903-bed specialty care teaching and research hospital. has challenging opportunities in our diversified pharmacy department for motivated and clinically oriented Pharmacists. Clinical Pharmacists routinely monitor patients' therapy and consult with other health providers to help assure safe and effective drug utilization. The inpatient pharmacy division has state-of-theart computerized operations throughout the HFHS system. University affiliation provides opportunities for involvement in education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and active research programs help keep our staff on the cutting edge of pharmaceutical and medical practice. In-house continuing education and training programs are designed to help staff development and maintain practice skills, and when combined with experience, could open a whole new world of career opportunities. Potential for professional growth in clinical practice is available through a unique professional development plan. Open your career to a world of choices. A competitive salary is complimented by exceptional benefits. Michigan licensure (or eligibility for licensure) is required. For additional information, call Edward G. Szandzik, Department of Pharmacy Services. at 313.916.3753. email: ESZANDZ1 @hfhs.org. An equal opportunity employer
January/February 2001
mine who at your first position will provide you with direction.
If possible, find a setting where a mentor will be available to show you the ropes.
• Ask lots of questions during the interview. Do not forget to ask about the number of scripts expected per day, working relationships with physicians (how open are they to suggestions from pharmacists?), longevity of current pharmacists/pharmacy technicians, hours and rotation (which may seem basic, but pharmacists sometimes get locked into hours they did not expect), and the computerlinventory system. • Balance wants versus needs. You may want to live in a beach or mountain resort, but what you may need is a position that offers advancement in a community with a reasonable cost of living and good schools. • Know the going rate. With demand for pharmacists high, salary offers are increasing virtually month to month. On the clinical side, employers we work with are offering new graduates salaries from the low-to-mid $60,000 range up to $70,000. Retail salaries are higher. • Ask about perks. Add-ons like signing bonuses are pretty common now. A $5,000 bonus may be advanced with no payback necessary, provided you stay in the community for 1 to 2 years. Bonuses also can be paid in 6-month increments. Payment for relocation is a standard perk, with a bonus/relocation package often combined. Relocation allowances vary, but $4,000 to $5,000 is not uncommon. Retirement plans also are standard- a 401 (k)type plan with employer matching or a variety of other defined or tax-sheltered annuity plans. Health insurance is a given; dental insurance may be an add-on; and, in clinical settings, liability insurance is almost always provided by the hospital.
PHARMACISTS If you're interested in joining an internationally known and respected facility which sets the standard in healthcare. look no further! Henry Ford Hospital, a 903-bed specialty care teaching and research hospital. has challenging opportunities in our diversified pharmacy department for motivated and clinically oriented Pharmacists. Clinical Pharmacists routinely monitor patients' therapy and consult with other health providers to help assure safe and effective drug utilization. The inpatient pharmacy division has state-of-theart computerized operations throughout the HFHS system. University affiliation provides opportunities for involvement in education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and active research programs help keep our staff on the cutting edge of pharmaceutical and medical practice. In-house continuing education and training programs are designed to help staff development and maintain practice skills, and when combined with experience, could open a whole new world of career opportunities. Potential for professional growth in clinical practice is available through a unique professional development plan. Open your career to a world of choices. A competitive salary is complimented by exceptional benefits. Michigan licensure (or eligibility for licensure) is required. For additional information, call Edward G. Szandzik, Department of Pharmacy Services. at 313.916.3753. email: ESZANDZ1 @hfhs.org. An equal opportunity employer
January/February 2001
mine who at your first position will provide you with direction.
If possible, find a setting where a mentor will be available to show you the ropes.
• Ask lots of questions during the interview. Do not forget to ask about the number of scripts expected per day, working relationships with physicians (how open are they to suggestions from pharmacists?), longevity of current pharmacists/pharmacy technicians, hours and rotation (which may seem basic, but pharmacists sometimes get locked into hours they did not expect), and the computerlinventory system. • Balance wants versus needs. You may want to live in a beach or mountain resort, but what you may need is a position that offers advancement in a community with a reasonable cost of living and good schools. • Know the going rate. With demand for pharmacists high, salary offers are increasing virtually month to month. On the clinical side, employers we work with are offering new graduates salaries from the low-to-mid $60,000 range up to $70,000. Retail salaries are higher. • Ask about perks. Add-ons like signing bonuses are pretty common now. A $5,000 bonus may be advanced with no payback necessary, provided you stay in the community for 1 to 2 years. Bonuses also can be paid in 6-month increments. Payment for relocation is a standard perk, with a bonus/relocation package often combined. Relocation allowances vary, but $4,000 to $5,000 is not uncommon. Retirement plans also are standard- a 401 (k)type plan with employer matching or a variety of other defined or tax-sheltered annuity plans. Health insurance is a given; dental insurance may be an add-on; and, in clinical settings, liability insurance is almost always provided by the hospital.