Bands in Hospital Pharmacy!

[billy5]

I have a placement interview next week, and was looking at questions that may come up. I noticed this question about future aspirations. To be honest if anyone asked me that today, i would say progress up a few bands and specialise in medicines management. But to be frankly honest, i get confused with the bands in hospital pharmacy. I know band 5 is your pre reg, but what are the other bands about? What jobs are involved in each? When can i specialise? And how long does it take to progress up bands? Any help is appreciated guys!

[Nik]

Do a quick search - you'll get plenty of info, such as this for starters:

Progression throught the bands!

Working up to become clinical

Also check PJonline discussion area on hosp pharmacy.

[bleepholder]

i wouldn't worry about being band specific in interviews.....the band is irrelevant...i think they just want to see you being committed to pharmacy and have motivation to move on up and be interested in the job..its always good to say you want to stay on in the same place even if its the last thing you want to do...i've heard on many occasions that hospitals love to train people and retain them

band 6 is usually 2 years or even 3 depending on how long they do the diploma over. band 7 is for as long as you want depending on when you feel comfortable to move up to band 8. you could probably expect to be at band 7 for a couple of years (but depends how adventerous you want to be)

but you start of at band 5 as a pre-reg..then go to band 6 for residency (rotate thorugh msot specialities) and do oncall if applicable....then after you have completed the diploma its onto band 7. these can either be rotational or you can specialise in certain areas of pharmacy..then your bands 8a and 8b are the senior management roles and directorate work...thats what it seems to be like for me when i see other 8a's and 8bs around