Interview tips for Jhoots.

[pharmacist1954]

I've heard some very bad reports about this company from a reliable source. I usually just read and don't post on the forum but all Pre-reg's from what i hear should think carefully before choosing a pre-reg place. Best of luck to everyone in getting a place!

[koksy]

@pharmacist..
am starting my pre-reg there in August,please what bad reports have you heard about the place?

[lawaljummy]

Can you please share the bad reports you have heard about them?

[pharmacist1954]

bad training - quite a few trainees having to repeat the year, not living up to their promises at interview
low salary
Offering many people places- most people back out


Pre-reg's should ask questions to the employer for ex how may pre-reg's did you have last
year ! You might find they say one. What is the pass rate of the pre-reg students? zero

How many study days will I have?- some companies will wait until january and squash them all in. Some won't have adequate resources.

Ask how busy the Pharmacy is? How many items are you doing? Some will have you packing shelves in the name of learning management from the bottom.

Don't be shy because small companies NEED pre-reg's if you jump in you will regret it and have to slog it out for a year.

From what I've heard they are one to stay away from- This has came from a legal friend of mine who has quite a bit of experience dealing with this company- not a good sign. It's still quite early in the year so dont panic too much,

Best wishes

[koksy]

But i have already accepted their offer and i dont think all the branches will be that bad.
so what can i do?

[pharmacist1954]

Well acceptance of an offer doesn't really mean anything as i'm sure your aware many people chop and change places according to what suits them, hence why even hospital places can pop up during the year. I think each branch may be different but the actual structure of your training may be deficient and therefore the individual pharmacist you are working with won't have much to do with company procedures i.e It's not up to them to take days out and train you individually. That would usually be left to external agencies npa or a co-ordinator within the company. However the problem you will soon come to find with Pharmacy is; what head office says, is what goes. I believe with a family company such as Jhoots things won't be as organised as other companies. Thats why sometimes its better to go with an independent who will send you on training days- That way you will get to meet other Pre-Reg's and have proper formal training as well as half a day a week off to study I know buttercups do one as well as NPA.

My suggestion would be to go to the RPSGB website and search for approved premises in your area Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
I would then phone each Pharmacy individually and ask them if they have recruited anyone. If you want to tell them you have a place you can- shouldnt make much difference. Then compare salaries, training time- usually half day a week on or off premises, training provided - internal or external and who pays for the training- does it come from your salary. How much time off before exam- You get the idea.

This might seem like alot of effort considering you already have a place. However take it from the hundreds of students that have had terrible placements- It's not worth being complacent now to end up in a horrible job where you hate every day. I am not going to go into the details of what I have heard about this company however rest assured it was negative enough for me to bother writing on this forum.

Yes alot of pre-reg places are bad, you may not like the staff, your tutor etc however at least you know you can pass the exam because you are being trained, the pharmacy is busy and your getting that vital experience.

Also check chemist and druggist jobs and PJ online.

Best Wishes

[Fleegle]

I believe with a family company such as Jhoots things won't be as organised as other companies.

Purely in the common interest of the forum...Why should a family-run company be less organised than 'other companies'? Please elaborate.

Fleegle

[pharmacist1954]

I was reffering specifically to the company in question where certain roles are filled by people wholly unqualified for the job due to being a family member. Hence why employment laws are not followed etc.

[johnep]

Lots of cases in stat com where member of proprietor's family were dispensing etc without actual pharmacist being present. Of course, won't matter when RS comes in.
johnep

[Fleegle]

I was reffering specifically to the company in question where certain roles are filled by people wholly unqualified for the job due to being a family member. Hence why employment laws are not followed etc.

Oh right...Fair enough...straight to the point. Thanks.
Fleegle