Hospital summer placements 2009

[ficklefiend]

Hi,
Im in 3rd year too, but unfortunately have no experience whatsoever in neither a community pharmacy or anything to do with a pharmacy, which is really bad. I want to do my summer placement this year in a hospital pharmacy and im not sure where to start and how to go about it especially with the fact that i have no work experience at all.. :s
any tips?

I live in Manchester, so do the rules for applying to hospitals differ than other areas of England?
i hope any of you can help. I really dont know where to start from (

Thank goodness someone is in the same position as me! So many little reasons and worries have stopped me applying or getting a job or placement. Some people in my class really look down on me for it, but I think I'm just a bit younger and less driven than they are. Also criminally indecisive.

I've got to send of a letter to the nearest hospital and right now it;s treading a fine line between enthusiastic and desperate (!) so any tips would also be much appreciated from me!

[johnep]

I am amazed that people are considering entering a profession without any idea of what it is like. I worked at BTC for couple of years while doing A levels. Surely you must have asked someone in pharmacy for their views. I suggest that you go straight round to your local pharmacy and ask if you could see the pharmacist when available. if you feel shy, ask to speak in private.
johnep

[Fleegle]

Bang on John.......Talk to your classmates..anyone's Dad/Mum looking for Saturday help? Visit local hospital pharmacies, and ask to speak to the head pharmacist. Approach the owners/managers of retail pharmacies. Talk to them...we're all in the same profession, and by definition, we ALWAYS have time to talk with one of our peers.

I did exactly the above in 1980..ended up working summers in the local hospital pharmacy..£90 a week..bliss!

You will soon feel at home...welcome!

Fleeg.

[ficklefiend]

I have applies for jobs and for summer placements, but my lack of experience always gets in the way as other students come to snap up the places. I didn't have a chance before I cam to Uni because of where I lived and money/time issues at uni have various scuppered my enthusiasm.

I didn't really know what I wanted to do when I left school and Pharmacy seemed like a good course. I thought I would slide into it, but even though the uni side of it has been fine, the rest has not gone so smoothly.

I actually think I should have been discouraged from taking the course because I didn't know what I wanted. I wish someone had said "this course is too specific for you to change your mind" but they all bent the truth and told me I could go where I wanted with it. *le sigh*

[Fleegle]

Where are you from?

Fleeg.

[ficklefiend]

Where are you from?

Fleeg.

I just meant I lived in a little village with no bus service so I had a hard time getting any kind of work.

I just sound like I'm making excuses now. Which is why I say I am not as driven as some others, because if it was my burning passion and ambition to work behind a pharmacy counter I would have done it by now!

[Nik]

Ok so I've just checked my email and it seems I've got an interview for a placement. After jumping up and down like a moron, I now feel slightly nervous. Anyone got any tips on what to expect on an interview ?

[johnep]

I too had no idea of what I wanted to do except something connected with chemistry and was steered into pharmacy at a career advisory interview.

I lived in a town so no problem in finding Saturday work, had previously worked as a paperboy.

However, you have been exposed to some pharmaceutical experience by virtue of this forum and I would add this to your CV.

With regard to being a narrow degree, that is arrant nonsense. I have met pharmacists in hospital, community and industry and also working as a cosmetic chemist (pharmaceutics useful for this) and another was a perfumer and a third a flavourist. I think we should start a thread on non pharmaceutical careers for pharmacists. Winifred Attwell, a pianist in the 50s was a pharmacist. US naval submariners often had a 'pharmacist mate' acting as a medical man. I met pharmacist working on large cruise liners which usually have a small hospital.

Coca-cola, matches and a host of other inventions all introduced by pharmacists.

Who would you want on a desert island or 'survivors', a BSc chemist or a pharmacist.
johnep

[Fleegle]

Ok so I've just checked my email and it seems I've got an interview for a placement. After jumping up and down like a moron, I now feel slightly nervous. Anyone got any tips on what to expect on an interview ?

I posted this a while ago regarding a similar request...In my opinion, it still applies....

The questions you will be asked largely depend on the work you will be expected to do. As it is your first application, I assume it would start with general counter work, and some limited dispensing if community, and general ward-requisition supply, bulk preparation, the odd extemp, and perhaps some T.P.N. if hospital. Questions would be generally about yourself, maybe,for example, if you have operated a till before (again if community)..that type of thing..nothing you won't be able to handle..just tell the truth and be yourself.

If you have some sort of CV prepared, take a copy of that if they don't already have one, and make sure you know what is in it yourself. I always found a packet of mints handy as well..no offence..your mouth may get a bit dry. Don't have one in your mouth during the interview though.

Turn up clean, neatly dressed, and five minutes early. The rest is up to you. Best of luck.

Fleeg.

[Nik]

Thanks for the comments johnep + fleeg, i'll take it all on board . Thinking about it, hospital placement interviews will probably not be as daunting as pre-reg !