Hospital summer placements 2009

[Pharmanaut]

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 !

Managed to get a stint in hospital during my 3 year course, during the second year vacation. Did this by getting on the bus, going to the pharmacy and asking who the principle pharmacist was. Then sat in the pub across the road and completed the letter (filling in the gaps). Walked back across the road and handed the letter in at the dispensary. A week later got a letter offering 4 weeks experience. Spent some time in all departments. It got extended another 2 weeks. This really helped in the third (final year), with UV spectroscopy, Aseptic, manufacturing and practical dispensing, as could put it all into a practical context. This was a big contrast to first year vaction, working at a well known chain beginning with B, filling up the dog food and selling gift vouchers.

This is leading to the advice; scrub yourself up (looking clean and tidy actually does create the right impression), get along to the pharmacy, find out who to write to an drop the application in personally.

[johnep]

Very sound advice. It is no good expecting jobs to find you, you must get out and find them yourself. Similar advice to 'faint heart never won fair lady'.
johnep

[Pharmanaut]

Very sound advice. It is no good expecting jobs to find you, you must get out and find them yourself. Similar advice to 'faint heart never won fair lady'.
johnep

Fair comment John. In either case, job or a date with a pretty girl: Get a "no" - move on to the next one! You don't end up with "what if" then.

[Nik]

scrub yourself up (looking clean and tidy actually does create the right impression).

one thing that I need is a major haircut - i've got a kevin keegan thing going on at the moment...

[Pharmanaut]

one thing that I need is a major haircut - i've got a kevin keegan thing going on at the moment...

Good for you.
Appearances do matter.
Plus if you look sharp - you feel sharp.

[royal priest]

Hi,

Does anyone know where i can find a list of career progression in hospital pharmacy and the years needed to get to the different bands?

[johnep]

Typical 1st post, ask a question assuming you are the first one!
Answer, when shortage of applicants, then promotion rapid. If surplus of applicants then promotion is dead man's shoes. Noel-Hall created lots of jobs in hospitals and it was possible to become a chief within a few years. This generation now retiring and just look in advert section of PJ to see all the opportunities.
johnep

[Nik]

Oh man everything is buggered the hospital which i was supposed to be starting my placement with next week now cannot do any placements with any students in their trust over the summer. I was really enthusiastic about doing the placement and getting stuck in but now i have nothing to look forward to this summer. I feel soo depressed.

[Asterix]

Oh man everything is buggered the hospital which i was supposed to be starting my placement with next week now cannot do any placements with any students in their trust over the summer. I was really enthusiastic about doing the placement and getting stuck in but now i have nothing to look forward to this summer. I feel soo depressed.

o no sorry to hear that, I think in general there is a problem with hospitals and their recruitment policies these days.

[Nik]

Part of the reason, i was told, was because there wouldn't be enough staff to cover the teaching of all students across the hospitals in the trust. The pharmacist who i spoke to was only aware of the situation last night. I've decided to look into voluntary work now anywhere i can get it.