apply for internship without having the FPGEC certificate

[smakmee]

Hi Jaken,
I have an internship license since Last Feb before I took FPGEE. I started looking for internship in Jan 09 because I was in the maternity period. I tried the large retail pharmacy corporations( you may know these stores, but I just don´t want to name them). I haven´t passed TOEFL yet even though I have been living in the states since 2002. I am obviously so frustrated. Actually, I am in Rhode Island. My state requires FPFEC. Thatś why I registered in MA instead. No luck so far.
Yeh, we can help each other out for this matter if you want too and I hope to hear from you soon.

[Jaken]

Hi Smakmee,

We are on the same boat. I passed FPGEE and no TOEFL yet. I just registered with MA board of pharmacy for internship. I started looking for internship this month too. I submitted resumes to the big chain of pharmacies around but no response yet. One recruiter offered me in Lebanon,NH hospital pharm. They are willing to accept intern with sign-on bonus and relocation expenses paid. It is too far and I have family so I did not accept it yet. Right now I am just going to concentrate on my TOEFL. It is really hard to find job now because of the recession. Goodluck to us!

[smakmee]

Hi Jaken,

When are you taking TOEFL? I am taking on March 7. Which section are you working on? I took once last May, I need to work on speaking and writing sections. You English sounds very good. Otherwise, good luck for your test.

[Jaken]

Hi Smakmee,

I am planning to take TOEFL on Feb 21. I failed speaking on my first try. I am very disappointed with ETS. I have been practicing pharmacy in Canada for 5 years. In Canada, IELTS is accepted. I wonder why it is not here in the States. Pharmacy practice is much better there than here. The only reason I move here in the States is my family. I have to go through these exams again. Well, Goodluck to us!

[nissi08]

Hi smakmee and Jaken
I am also from Massachusetts. I have just passed FPGEE in Dec 08.
Could you please tell me how you got your intern license. Where did you apply for this license ? Is it right that i can apply for the intern license without having my TOEFL?
Please provide me with some information about this

[Aussiepharmer]

Hi Smakmee,

I am planning to take TOEFL on Feb 21. I failed speaking on my first try. I am very disappointed with ETS. I have been practicing pharmacy in Canada for 5 years. In Canada, IELTS is accepted. I wonder why it is not here in the States. Pharmacy practice is much better there than here. The only reason I move here in the States is my family. I have to go through these exams again. Well, Goodluck to us!

Hi, what do you mean by that the pharmacy practice is better in Canada?(what makes it better?) Can you explain more about it? As far as I know, the pay rate is better in US.

[marvel135]

Hello nissi08,
You dont need toefl to apply for internship in MA,all you need is a proof from NABP that you qualified to take FPGEE and this should not be a problem for you.Go to this link http://www.pcshq.com. Print out the forms that apply to you,fill and return to PCS.
In 2-3 weeks you should get your intern license.All the best.

[Jaken]

Duplicate****see below

[Jaken]

Hi Aussiepharmer,


In Canada, the licensure exam consists of parts I (Multiple choice) and II (Objective Structured Clinical Examination or OSCE). OSCE is to test candidates on both communication skills and pharmaceutical knowledge. It is a simulation of a pharmacy setting wherein there is an actor, being a patient, a doctor or a caregiver, presenting problem and the candidate, being the pharmacist, has to solve the problem by giving advice or recommending OTC for example. It consists of around 12 stations and it is timed per station. The assessors are licensed pharmacists. I truly believe that this is a better way to test communication skills for pharmacists and not the 26 passing score for TOEFLibt in the US. Same as here, there is a shortage of pharmacists in Canada and they pay up to $100 an hour plus mileage for relief works. Canadian and US dollars were almost the same but not sure now because of the economy. I am looking forward though to be a licensed pharmacist in the US. I was just frustrated with the TOEFLibt. I am waiting for the rescore report in the mail. I hope they will consider IELTS. In IELTS, you talk to real people and not the computer.

Hi Nissi08,

Yes, you can register for MA internship with just the EE number from NABP. Marvel135 gave you the link. It takes only up to 3 days to process it from the day PCS receives it. I suggest though to take the TOEFLibt asap. They still prefer to hire FPGEC certificate holder for internship. Goodluck!

[smakmee]

All,

My experience of applying for internship is most of hospitals accept only interns from US colleges. They said they concern about liability. I guess we can apply for only retail stores where they are hiring only foreign graduates who already have FPGEC. Good luck all.