Hi, i'm a pharmacy student at bradford, going to start my 2nd year this september and was wondering if I would be able to get into hospital pharmacy after I graduate.
The problem is that a week before i started my first year, my girlfriend gave me a football ticket that she had found in a taxi. i watched the whole match and was arrested on the way out. I was cautioned for "HANDLING STOLEN GOODS".
This sounds terrible and has got me soo worried. What do you guys think? Will I be able to register as a pharmacist? And is there any chance that, if I do get to register, I will find work in hospital pharmacy? I know that hospital pharmacy requires an enhanced CRB check and this caution will definitely show up. Hospital pharmacy is what I really wanted to do and I can't see myself working in retail if I have to.
Any advice would be really apreciated guys, thanks
Last edited by DavidS; 18th, August 2010 at 02:39 PM.
Registration Section
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
1 Lambeth High Street, London, SE1 7JN
Tel: 020 7572 2322
Fax: 020 7572 2506
e-mail: registration@rpsgb.org
I don't expect there'll be a problem with registering; there's a definate move towards minor problems being ignored when not connected to pharmacy (you might have more trouble with a drugs related one!).
You will probably have to explain what happened every single time you have an extended CRB check; I don't think it'll put anyone off hiring you if you're already at that stage. I'd probably mention it in advance though, so you and they don't waste time if it does change their minds (you'll look more honest and trustworthy, too).
On another note, as you've realised, accepting a caution isn't a quick and easy way off a problem - it's a permenent admission of being guilty to a crime. Anecdotally, the police seem to use them at times when they wouldn't have a chance of conviction (or even the CPS taking the case forward). Always take legal advice first...
The rule is NEVER accept a caution without speaking to the PDA first, even as a student. So often prosecutions are not followed through because of a basic lack of evidence, or because it isn't in the public interest, or some such, and when a professional accepts a caution, or, more often, is bullied by the police into accepting a caution, it always creates problems career-wise.
However, we are some way past that, unfortunately. Its a shame, and not too bright TBH (You were almost certain to get caught), that you did not report the ticket as found because this would certainly be regarded as unethical behaviour and gross misconduct if it happened in a hospital where an absent-minded patient had left something lying around, for instance.
In your position I would get a complete transcript of the charge for which you accepted the caution, and send that up to the regulator asap. I would also ensure that you get short references from your course tutor and head, and anyone you have worked for, to demonstrate that you are by nature honest. I would send these to the hospital with your application, and if possible discuss it personally with the hospital staff before applying.
I do hope you have learned from this.
Last edited by DavidS; 19th, August 2010 at 08:43 AM.
ye, I do regret it. The fact that it was the night before the A level results were released made it even worse. I didn't want to spend the night in the cell as I didn't want to pick my results up late. was worried that I might not get the required grades and so would have had to ring up the unis. Wish I had taken up their offer of speaking to a solicitor first, I just wanted to get out of there.
Was also wondering if I got in touch with the registration people, will they be able to make a decision now? I don't want to complete the whole degree and pre-reg only to be told that I cannot register. And if I am allowed to register, is it compulsory for a pharmacist to fill in a CRB form when applying for a post in hospital or community?
Thanks
Last edited by smmiah1; 18th, August 2010 at 05:54 PM.
well there's two years before you register, and TBH I don't think you will have any problem registering at all.
As far as CRB checks, in two years the system may have changed completely so I wouldn't worry about that now. I just wanted you to see how someone screening applicants for a job working with access to other's possessions might have some concerns about it, and that these concerns need to be addressed when you do apply.
The only bit of advice I can give is to be upfront with any future employers about past problems. There will be some who will not take your application further because of this ticket thing but others will offer you a position.
hey, just to update - i'm in my 2nd year of the 5year sandwich course at bradford. That means i take my first 6month period of pre reg in february 2012. I have applied and been offered a place with Cohens and have had no problems with the crb check so far.
for anybody that may have the same problem as me, this is what I've been advised by the uni -
1. to send an email to the registration body, explaining the situation and asking about any problems when it comes to registering (they will almost always say they cannot comment until you are ready to apply and will look at it at a case by case basis). the fact that you have emailed can be used as evidence that you are not trying to hide anything and should be saved on your computer.
2. get as many references as possible, through work placements, voluntery, anything realy. I've got 2 so far, from a restaurant where i worked on weekends and a from a pharmacy where i did my summer placement. I explained what i needed from them and they agreed that they would give a good reference when required.
I'm still not sure how this would affect my plans on working in hospital pharmacy though. I'm planning on doing my 2nd pre-reg placement (5th year) in hospital. And again, the ones that I have asked about my situation (leeds, bradford and blackburn) have all said that if the right candidate became available, they will not look into the matter as much.
Last edited by smmiah1; 1st, March 2011 at 06:38 PM.
Police caution - help!
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