Hospital Pharmacist Q&A | Salary/Pay, Job Security, Career Switch, Hospital Shifts, Hospital Uniform

After 8 years of school and 1 year of residency, I finally accomplished my goal of becoming a clinical inpatient pharmacist! I'll be recording my pharmacy journey - navigating life as a first time pharmacist fresh out of my pharmacy residency. I'll also show you a glimpse of what my life is like outside of work as well!
Todays video is answering your questions about pharmacy! If you have not seen my first video yet, you can watch it here: • Questions for a Hospit...
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[@ThanhTran-wg8cs]

Just start my job as clinical pharmacist in one the LTACH. I didn’t have residency, so I felt little stressful at first but things get better now. I have been watching your videos to prepare my new job and those videos are very helpful. Thank you for sharing!

[@SarahPharmD]

Congrats on your job!! I am happy to hear my videos are helpful ☺️ Thank you for watching

[@k.i.1700]

Thanks for the info! I had no idea hospital pharmacists in the US made so much. That’s amazing!

[@SarahPharmD]

Thank you for watching! ☺️ The pay can vary a lot depending on location and what field of pharmacy you go into

[@shehryaralishah5053]

​@@SarahPharmD I am pharmacy graduate.i want to work in USA as a Pharmacist. I am about to start my preparation for FPGEE. What is the job market in USA is it good or i should prepare myself for another country?

[@SarahPharmD]

@@shehryaralishah5053 the job market in the US is saturated unfortunately :( it’s competitive for those already from the US so it might be even more difficult for you. But I am not 100% certain, that is just what I hear!

[@shehryaralishah5053]

@@SarahPharmD What about other Canada? And what is the highest pay of pharmacist in USA?

[@saqweq]

@@shehryaralishah5053retail usually pays more but the conditions are horrible. Usually other positions require residency or hospital experience.

[@mitthi4013]

Hi Sarah I am doing 3rd year of bachelor of Pharmacy from India wanted to know that can I do master in Pharmacy field from usa and give exams to become a pharmacist or i have to do 2 yrs course in USA intially and give the exam Simply - to become a pharmacist in USA from an abroad country have to give again undergraduation from usa too ?

[@rccosplay3249]

I work in a retail store and I'm bored, at least hospital has some adventure. 139K a year is just fine for me as my house is paid off. I can live good with that... Jetskis, twice a year holidays, Hmmm... Thailand sounds good😂

[@movieswala5010]

OMG you are amazing you are inspiration for us 💓 and dr Sarah can you tell after pharm.D what we do means in which field we do specialization which is highly paid

[@SarahPharmD]

Aww, thank you for watching and the support! The pay varies depending on the specialty and where they live so I don't have a definite answer to which specialty gets paid the most unfortunately!

[@movieswala5010]

@@SarahPharmD Oki Doctor

[@stefanugaz]

Do you need an additional degree after pharm school to be employed at a clinic?

[@krxshnaaa.05]

Hi Sarah, Thanks for the info. Could you please tell what you studied just after your high school?

[@SarahPharmD]

I majored in biochemistry in college!

[@jeeshanmohammad5498]

My Diploma pharmacy complete course so i want jobs in hospital as a assistance pharmacy ???

[@choonnam4265]

Hi! Great video! I'm also curious how your department view tattoos?

[@SarahPharmD]

My department is pretty progressive and open-minded! I doubt tattoos will impact any decision for hiring :) There are a lot of people working at the hospital with tattoos so I think in general people are more accepting.

[@choonnam4265]

@@SarahPharmD Wow, this is comforting to hear! Thank you so much for your response!

[@iamvamsi6573]

Madam can a b pharmacy student become a clinical pharmacist any idea about that

[@saqweq]

I’m currently in retail and I loathe it, however I don’t feel like I like clinical enough to go into it… I wish I never did this field.

[@SarahPharmD]

Aww, I'm sorry to hear that! I hear retail is very tough for everyone right now :( What about a remote call center pharmacist job? or some sort of remote MTM position? If you are open to it, it's never too late to apply for residency to gain clinical experience! One of my good friends did retail for several years until he decided to do a residency. He was then able to switch into ambulatory care pharmacy after the experience!

[@S2Sia]

Oh, i found this video of yours 😄. You don’t have to answer my previous comment on your video

[@movieswala5010]

Yeah tell Dr Sarah can a pharmcist can prescribe in any country and what we do to be able to prescribe ❤

[@SarahPharmD]

Certain pharmacist can prescribe, but it is limited to their scope of practice. For example, a diabetes pharmacist can only prescribe medications related to diabetes. They cannot prescribe anything outside that scope! A lot of our prescribing abilities is restricted to the type of hospital/facility we work at and what is allowed based our formulary.

[@movieswala5010]

@@SarahPharmD wow I have about this you are such a Fabolous person and I want to say I am for fan 😁 now God bless you and gave you success Amin

[@jahnaviadu2626]

hi sarah, love your videos. just completed my 6th year pharm. d in india. i want to pursue MS in usa. what courses do you recommend as i am much confused to select a course public health, health informatics, biology. another question is can we become a hospital pharmacist without naplex thanks in advance

[@SarahPharmD]

Hi! Unfortunately NAPLEX is required to become a pharmacist in the US. In addition to NAPLEX, you will also have to pass the pharmacy law exam for the state you plan to live in. For California, it is called the CPJE

[@jahnaviadu2626]

@@SarahPharmD thank you sarah Any what do you prefer in the above Ms in Public health Ms inHealth informatics Ms in Biology

[@SarahPharmD]

@@jahnaviadu2626 any of those should be fine!

[@phuotnuocmychannel3021]

According to you as a experienced pharmacist who has been already in the field, do you think it’s good to pursue pharmacy now? As I am admitted to pharmacy schools in Cali and Arizona but not sure if I should pursue pharmacy

[@SarahPharmD]

It is pretty saturated right now in terms of pharmacists graduating. If you’re willing to relocate or move for a job, then it won’t be so difficult! But if you are planning to settle down in popular areas like Los Angeles, Orange County, or San Diego - it is definitely more competitive for jobs. However, I do hear that the graduating class sizes are starting to become smaller so it is hard to say - it is possible that it won’t be as competitive by the time you graduate? It’s difficult to predict the job market! Sometimes it’s honestly just luck and timing

[@phuotnuocmychannel3021]

@@SarahPharmD thank you so much 👌

[@dumebinwekeoma2442]

Ohh that great I graduate four years later

[@saqweq]

I would avoid it unless you’ve worked in pharmacy before and you enjoyed it. Be prepared to either do a residency or work in retail for a few years after graduating

[@dumebinwekeoma2442]

@@SarahPharmD So like what areas or country do you think is unsaturated and would be best for a job?

[@kashishsingh6943]

Can we directly opt for the Clinical pharmacist after passing the CPJE/ MPJE exams or it takes a month or two to get into the clinical pharmacy?

[@SarahPharmD]

It can be competitive to break into clinical pharmacy, but completing a residency or having many clinical APPE rotations as a student will help make you a competitive candidate! Passing boards is required, but your experiences will help you get your foot in the door

[@stevendnguyen]

As a current pharmacy director in Southern/Northern CA, it is definitely saturated, especially with all the pharmacy schools opening up in CA. As we increase supply of pharmacists, demand and pay will go down. The trend I have been seeing in desirable markets.

[@SarahPharmD]

yes, we have way too many pharmacy schools in CA! Maybe the amount of pharmacy schools will go down eventually now that class sizes have decreased significantly. Hopefully things in the future will normalize again!

[@stevendnguyen]

@@SarahPharmD Hopefully ! Would love to collaborate on a podcast to learn more about your journey .

[@aballantyne27]

Can you explain how your PSLF works?

[@SarahPharmD]

To be eligible, you have to work for a nonprofit hospital and to be enrolled in a income based repayment plan. As long as you pay the minimum balance every month for the 10 years you work at the nonprofit, the remaining balance of your student loans will be forgiven!

[@drgravindranaik4291]

Iam complete pharm D 2020 in India . jobs in clinical Pharmasist in abroad plz tell me

[@rukhiyaaslam2489]

Hello ma’am!! Does clinical pharmacist has proper work life balance? Especially for a married woman?

[@SarahPharmD]

It can vary depending on what field you go into! If you become a clinician pharmacist in the clinic setting (amcare) then it’s a better work-life balance since clinics are only open M-F and are closed on holidays. Hospital can be a little tough at times because the hospital is open 24/7, but depending on your position - it is manageable! I only work one weekend a month so I find it not too bad ☺️

[@rukhiyaaslam2489]

Thanks ma’am!

[@lunghingyuen6141]

anthony santos meetat all the nurest inperson is that okay withyou ? and also amyimbe want to greeting allt he nurest is that okay withyou ? he is a famous dominican singer del la repblic Dominican

[@feelz1025]

Please which state do you work and how long have you being a pharmacist for the pay to go up twice.

[@SarahPharmD]

California! 3 years

[@feelz1025]

I’m a Uk pharmacy undergrad student. Planning to move to the US after graduation but I don’t have a masters in pharmacy. Can I secure a clinical pharmacy job ?

[@yasamannouri2851]

Hello I am a pharmacy student I am very interested in coming to Korea to study for a specialty. I wanted to know if the situation of pharmacists in South Korea is good? Do they have any problems? What is the average income in a month?! In my country, there is a continuous doctorate in pharmacy, and we have to study for 6 years for the general period, and then we take the exam for specialization.... Do you think Korea is a good country for pharmaceuticals?! Thank you for helping me My name is Yasman

[@SarahPharmD]

Hi, Sorry I am based in the US so I am not sure how the pharmacy profession is like in Korea :(

[@yasamannouri2851]

OK Thank you

[@i-cern4576]

hello, pharmacist Yasman. I am a student of pharmacy faculty. Which country are you from? Turkey?

[@yasamannouri2851]

Iran

[@rukhiyaaslam2489]

Ma’am could you also share the scope of clinical pharmacist in canada?

[@SarahPharmD]

Hi, Sorry I am based in the US so I am not sure how the pharmacy profession is like in Canada :(

[@alpa7480]

Hi doc sarah. i am a Pharmacist here jn the philippines, i would love to become hospital pharmacist there too. My question how i will start since im an overseas. btw , i am planning to work there too as pharmacy technician and eventually will oursue Pharmacist profession there. May i asks for your insights how am i going to start my studies there while im working at the same time? Thank you and i really inspired by your videos and i must say i admire your intelligence and personality, i hope to be like you someday 💓

[@SarahPharmD]

Awww thank you 💓 Do you plan to work as a pharmacy technician full time? If possible, you can work part-time while you are in pharmacy school. A majority of pharmacy students at my program worked at a hospital or a community pharmacy on the weekends or after class while studying!

[@alpa7480]

@@SarahPharmD awesome 👏 may i asks if overseas student … how many years will i need more if im a graduate of Bachelors degree in Pharmacy. Do you have a videos of your journey to Hospital pharmacist☺️ so i can watch it , i might be overlooking it …

[@jessamaeacevedo4025]

​ @al-pha Hi! We're on the same path; I'm also an RPh here in the PH. To be eligible for the FPGEE, we must have completed at least 5 years of college. recommended by other FPGEE takers to pursue either clinical pharmacy here or MS. Following the completion of the FPGEE, an internship will be followed by the NAPLEX.

[@alpa7480]

@@jessamaeacevedo4025 hi, thanks for reaching out on me, do i still have same chance since i grad with old curriculum of 4yrs ? can i take FPGEE?

[@jessamaeacevedo4025]

@@alpa7480 we still are on the same path. Will be taking clinical pharmacy this opening to make it 5 years since 1 year lang naman yung clinical. Need kasi 5 years to be eligible for fpgee

[@silkymagic2418]

How many hours do you work per a day

[@SarahPharmD]

I only work 8 hours, but once in a while I do 12 hour shifts if there is a sick call or vacation for shifts that are 12 hours. In general, I work a normal 40 hour work week!

[@kellysam2076]

The salary in uk is rubbish

[@sannasanna5256]

Hello ma'am, I'm a 12th grader from India 1)How to become clinical pharmacist? 2) If we completed pharmD, then which area have higher salary? 3) Is there any exams in abroad to join as a clinical pharmacist after completing pharmd? 4)Can you please say about the approximate salary of a clinical pharmacist per month?

[@SarahPharmD]

To be a clinical pharmacist, a residency is not required but it definitely helps a lot in terms of making yourself competitive. Salary varies depending on location and the type of hospital! If you live in areas with higher cost of living such as San Francisco or Palo Alto, the pay is significantly more - but the cost for housing etc will be higher as well!

[@SarahPharmD]

Sorry I unfortunately do not know the process for those who are abroad and want to become a pharmacist in the US :(

[@saqweq]

I’m surprised VA pays that much… Do you feel like there’s racial tensions there? This is one of the reasons I’ve avoided applying to these positions..

[@SarahPharmD]

I work in California where the pharmacist salary is much more competitive compared to other states. In California, we have a larger scope of practice to do many clinical tasks so it is probably the reason why the pay is nicer! The VA normally does not pay well, but it has increased significantly in recent years to account for high cost of living. California is a very diverse state so there’s no racial tension here