Superdrug Application Form

[Spoony]

Hey, anyone else applying for superdrug pre-reg? deadlines in a few days time. Also, what is it like working at superdrug?[to anyone who may have worked in one]

Just wondering what you would put for these questions, ive got some ideas but need some more , thanks

-why do you feel you are suited to work as a community pharmacist in superdrug?

-why are you attracted to a career in community pharmacy?

-what do you need to do during your pre reg year, to ensure that it is successful, you pass the exam and are elible to register as a phrmacist

[Sir_Dispensalot]

i've never worked for superdrug but from what i've heard they're a pretty nice bunch.
a lot of them seem to end up as big methadone / needle exchange hubs (at least the ones near me are) so maybe mentioning an interest in specialist services and pushing of enhanced services (under the new contract, blah blah) might generate some interest from them?

[Web Ferret]

PM Sent...

[hktony]

I am afraid i can't find a pre-reg placement next year, since I dont have any experience of pharmacy practice in any retail or hospital pharmacy.

Besides, I am also thinking how to reply these questions ...i have some ideas but i could want to need more details about superdrug could someone who work in superdrug or any brothers who know any ideas for the application, please help me.
thank you so much ~

Tony.

[johnep]

Superdrug originally grew from a chain of 'drugstores' selling toiletries set up by Alan lloyd of lloyds. He sited them as near to BTC stores as possible to annoy BTC and also because he reasoned that BTC would have chosen the best locations. He sold out and the chain eventually taken over by AS Watson who were one of the 'hongs' of Hongkong and wanted a base in UK as insurance about what might happen after the Chinese take over.

They acquired local high street pharmacies and moved them into SD together with the staff.

Because of their nearness to BTC, they only tend to get the pts who have been to BTC first and find item not in stock or too long a waiting time.

Generally a friendly lot, and big advantage is they have Pharmacy Manager system instead of the dreadful BTC smartscript.

I have been happy to work for them.
johnep

[laurabuk]

hktony - how have you managed to get to the start of 4th year without any experience in the field

i've never worked for superdrug, i find them very pink and bright and crazy stores but i wouldn't rule them out ... there is a mad one near in my area - in a largish shopping centre BTC is right next to the Superdrug and both survive quite happily...

is pharmacy manager Cegedim? or is that something else??

[hktony]

i have tried to apply those summer placement program in boots, lloyds, co-op etc in the start of my 2nd and 3rd year, however, they were all rejected..
Until now, i am so worried about the application of pre-reg next year as well as the application of retail, hospital pharmacy.

[Lazy Nite]

Hey Hktony….

Its gud to have some pharmacy experience before you apply for pre-reg, but it won’t stop you from getting a pre-reg place.

Have you tried?

1. Pharmalife website for hospital
2. Pharmalife – NPA community jobs
3. Pj online – jobs/careers sections
4. Speak 2 sum1 at Uni
5. Your local pharmacies – ask if they can take on a pre-reg. you can check if they can train pre-regs by looking at the RPSGB (preregistration training sites)

I know many people who had no pharmacy work experience, but were really keen students. They went on holidays during the summer etc etc. They still got placements in good community posts like Boots, lloyds and very famous teaching hospitals like Charing cross.

I also knew a student who got a 1st at Uni, she went thru clearing because she cud not secure a place. She ended up in an independent chemist and she did very well. I know because I was the summer student there. She got one-2-one attention and the pharmacist there was great. After she got the pre-reg experience, passed the exam, she cud go where ever she wanted.

I mean to say, dnt worry n keep trying u will get a place. You just need to get thru the pre-reg year, pass the exam and make the most of it.

Getting your first job after qualifying is harder, esp 4 hospital….

Gud luck, hope it all goes well….

[Rafael]

is it possible to have a "similar PM sent" about your experience with superdrug?
i just got back from Lloyds intervie( have a feeling that i got the place) and found a superdrug pre-reg invitation to the 2nd stage" assessment centre".
cheers

[Web Ferret]

I've had a few PMs recently about superdrug.
I worked for them for seven years in a variety of roles but had to leave in 2004 when they cut my support staff by 25% - In that branch where I was at the time I was already 25% up year on year and it was not safe in my opinion to carry on working there.
I tutored 3 pre-reg students in my time there - Their pre-reg programme was one of the better parts of their operation but the training chaps I worked with have also left and I have no idea who is there now.

I recently did an emergency locum for them, I did 150 items and my only assistant was in her sixth week of working on the pharmacy counter. She was nice and tried to be helpful but knew very little.

I'm still happy to answer PMs by the way - its not all negative!