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pharmsuni · 04-03-2008, 07:05 PM

Hello. All..
Well, how are you guys hired or even interviewed?

I am sending my resume through my e-mail account for two weeks now. I got only two responses and Walgreens turned me down yesterday. The other one is very positive but the recruiter is out of town until 04/08. Yeap!! I will miss the big date for H-1B. My OPT will expire soon and I am ready to waste a whole year.

I thought I had good qualification(nontraditional pharm.D graduate 2007 in U.S., licensed in one state, one license transfer is pending, some experience in my home country, lived in US for six and half years although my communication skill may be not good, no experience as a pharmacist in U.S.,) but truth may be not.

Am I too lazy to find a job? I am searching jobs through the internet and sitting and waiting their response. I thought it is pretty decent way to find a job but it turns out that I am just too lazy.
Any advice will be helpful. I am currently appying for a pharmicist position in AZ with a pending license.
Thank you.

fpgeecol · 04-04-2008, 04:06 AM

Hi, just saw you got non-traditional pharmD in US? which scool? can yo prodive me a link? and what's the tuition cost and how long does this program last?
Thanks

OPOO · 04-04-2008, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pharmsuni

I was admitted in 2003 when the NTPD was closed for new enrollment. I was the lucky last one. I am sorry for that it does not help you, but I know Purdue University and University of Florida have NTPD. You will find info by google search.

.

hi pharmsuni,
can you please explain further on the non traditional pharmd? are you saying it is not helpful for one to take the course? please let me know

pharmsuni · 04-04-2008, 09:18 AM

As far as I know, the length of study and the tuition of NTPD are different from school to school.
Based on the one I graduated, the tuition (in-state and out of state tuition are same) was $350/credit at that time I started and was increased to $450/credit at that time I graduated. The program was flexible; I was mostly a part-time student so that I can raise my child and manage other things in my family. The content of the program might be similar with other schools. Mines have didactic courses (required & elective) and clerkship (specialty & ambulatory). Required courses are pharmacotherapy modules. It was a great opportunity to learn and get some clinical experience. Although I was too excited to learn clinical stuff (most of my rotation were at the hospital pharmacy), I regret that I did not include any retail pharmacy rotation that should have helped me find a job. Please know that NTPD at the school I attended is closed for new enrollment although it still has traditional pharm.D program. If you want to find more info about NTPD schools, please use google search.

Regarding the length of study, it took four years for me to complete. I heard the other student finished the program in 2 1/2 years. It could take up to six years. The program I took is so flexible that you can adjust/decide the length of study.

pikatchou · 04-04-2008, 03:04 PM

I started my job search last month. I am an experienced pharmacist in Canada, and I do not need sponsorship. I sent my cv to the customer service website of the main retail companies. (I could not use their online application, because I was blocked when I had to answer questions about where I studied, etc..) I got no response from Rite aid (and I sent a second e-mail with no response also, and left a phone message to the DM with no response), got a strong NO from Walgreen because I do not have the FPGEE certificate (but being a licensed canadian pharmacist and graduate from an approved canadian college I do not need the certificate to obtain my license in Ma, but Walgreen doesn't care it is no), and I got a very quick response from CVS for an interview. That interview led to an offer, and I decided to take it. I could have search more, supermarkets, wal mart, target, etc... But I was just happy to get an offer, they seem very interested, and I can now concentrate on doing my internship and studying for the dear NAPLEX. Good luck to you. Pikatchou

pharmsuni · 04-05-2008, 07:59 AM

Thank you millions.

camci1124 · 04-06-2008, 05:45 AM

Would you let me know why your license transfer to AZ is pending and Walgreens turned you down? Walgreens is usually in shortage of pharmacists. I don't get why they didn't give you job offer if you are a licensed pharmacist. Thanks...

pharmsuni · 04-09-2008, 01:49 AM

I do not know the reason why Walgreens pharmacy turned me down. After submitting copies of visa, passport, transcript, and etc, they sent me a rejection letter.

Arizona board of pharmacy personnel told me that I need H-1B visa to transfer my license. Being in a valid employment status is the law in AZ. Here is the dilemma. Employers want me to have pharmacist license in AZ before they do something. If I could not find a job within three months, my OPT will expire. If I get hired, I might extend my OPT until next year. According to Board of pharmacy,I am authorized to work as an intern but can not work as a pharmacist that I do not agree with them. I am working on it with ISS.

I do not want to move to get a job since my family is here in AZ. I had to be apart from my family for about a year, that was really painful. Staying at home mom (of course, unemployed) seems to be better than the family separation, but I will keep trying to transfer my license.

Now, I am getting responses from employers but my visa status is a big problem.

ramki.swan · 04-09-2008, 02:39 AM

As far as I know Walgreens does not allow any one to do their internship while in OPT status. You should try other chains. I know that CVS and Rite-Aid hire interns in OPT status. Also, try explaining to the District Manager of Walgreens and the international pharmacist that you did PharmD in U.S. They might reconsider your case. Best of luck.

ramutha · 04-09-2008, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ramki.swan

As far as I know Walgreens does not allow any one to do their internship while in OPT status. You should try other chains. I know that CVS and Rite-Aid hire interns in OPT status. Also, try explaining to the District Manager of Walgreens and the international pharmacist that you did PharmD in U.S. They might reconsider your case. Best of luck.

Can we give a reminder call for Walgreens and Cvs once in two days? will it sound bad for them? Please reply.

04-03-2008, 07:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
pharmsuni Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 5	Please share the job searching strategy Hello. All.. Well, how are you guys hired or even interviewed? I am sending my resume through my e-mail account for two weeks now. I got only two responses and Walgreens turned me down yesterday. The other one is very positive but the recruiter is out of town until 04/08. Yeap!! I will miss the big date for H-1B. My OPT will expire soon and I am ready to waste a whole year. I thought I had good qualification(nontraditional pharm.D graduate 2007 in U.S., licensed in one state, one license transfer is pending, some experience in my home country, lived in US for six and half years although my communication skill may be not good, no experience as a pharmacist in U.S.,) but truth may be not. Am I too lazy to find a job? I am searching jobs through the internet and sitting and waiting their response. I thought it is pretty decent way to find a job but it turns out that I am just too lazy. Any advice will be helpful. I am currently appying for a pharmicist position in AZ with a pending license. Thank you.

04-04-2008, 04:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
fpgeecol Eager! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 92	Non traditional pharmD Hi, just saw you got non-traditional pharmD in US? which scool? can yo prodive me a link? and what's the tuition cost and how long does this program last? Thanks

04-09-2008, 01:49 AM	#8 (permalink)
pharmsuni Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 5	I do not know the reason why Walgreens pharmacy turned me down. After submitting copies of visa, passport, transcript, and etc, they sent me a rejection letter. Arizona board of pharmacy personnel told me that I need H-1B visa to transfer my license. Being in a valid employment status is the law in AZ. Here is the dilemma. Employers want me to have pharmacist license in AZ before they do something. If I could not find a job within three months, my OPT will expire. If I get hired, I might extend my OPT until next year. According to Board of pharmacy,I am authorized to work as an intern but can not work as a pharmacist that I do not agree with them. I am working on it with ISS. I do not want to move to get a job since my family is here in AZ. I had to be apart from my family for about a year, that was really painful. Staying at home mom (of course, unemployed) seems to be better than the family separation, but I will keep trying to transfer my license. Now, I am getting responses from employers but my visa status is a big problem. Last edited by pharmsuni : 04-09-2008 at 02:06 AM.

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04-04-2008, 09:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
pharmsuni Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 5	As far as I know, the length of study and the tuition of NTPD are different from school to school. Based on the one I graduated, the tuition (in-state and out of state tuition are same) was $350/credit at that time I started and was increased to $450/credit at that time I graduated. The program was flexible; I was mostly a part-time student so that I can raise my child and manage other things in my family. The content of the program might be similar with other schools. Mines have didactic courses (required & elective) and clerkship (specialty & ambulatory). Required courses are pharmacotherapy modules. It was a great opportunity to learn and get some clinical experience. Although I was too excited to learn clinical stuff (most of my rotation were at the hospital pharmacy), I regret that I did not include any retail pharmacy rotation that should have helped me find a job. Please know that NTPD at the school I attended is closed for new enrollment although it still has traditional pharm.D program. If you want to find more info about NTPD schools, please use google search. Regarding the length of study, it took four years for me to complete. I heard the other student finished the program in 2 1/2 years. It could take up to six years. The program I took is so flexible that you can adjust/decide the length of study.

04-04-2008, 03:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
pikatchou Making my kids proud! Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 14	I started my job search last month. I am an experienced pharmacist in Canada, and I do not need sponsorship. I sent my cv to the customer service website of the main retail companies. (I could not use their online application, because I was blocked when I had to answer questions about where I studied, etc..) I got no response from Rite aid (and I sent a second e-mail with no response also, and left a phone message to the DM with no response), got a strong NO from Walgreen because I do not have the FPGEE certificate (but being a licensed canadian pharmacist and graduate from an approved canadian college I do not need the certificate to obtain my license in Ma, but Walgreen doesn't care it is no), and I got a very quick response from CVS for an interview. That interview led to an offer, and I decided to take it. I could have search more, supermarkets, wal mart, target, etc... But I was just happy to get an offer, they seem very interested, and I can now concentrate on doing my internship and studying for the dear NAPLEX. Good luck to you. Pikatchou

04-05-2008, 07:59 AM	#6 (permalink)
pharmsuni Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 5	Thank you millions.

04-06-2008, 05:45 AM	#7 (permalink)
camci1124 Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 2	Would you let me know why your license transfer to AZ is pending and Walgreens turned you down? Walgreens is usually in shortage of pharmacists. I don't get why they didn't give you job offer if you are a licensed pharmacist. Thanks...

04-09-2008, 02:39 AM	#9 (permalink)
ramki.swan Eager! Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 46	As far as I know Walgreens does not allow any one to do their internship while in OPT status. You should try other chains. I know that CVS and Rite-Aid hire interns in OPT status. Also, try explaining to the District Manager of Walgreens and the international pharmacist that you did PharmD in U.S. They might reconsider your case. Best of luck.

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