Hello, I could use some help.

16 Comments

1. Ann B.October 11,2021 at 4:55PM UTC

   Wow! I never realized how brutal pharmacist jobs are! 12-15 hours on your feet with no breaks! Geez, my heart goes out to you! How about trying for a pharmaceutical sales rep job? I have a friend who did that and made good money! I don't know how it compares with a pharmacist's salary but it seems like it would be easier than what you've been through. Best of luck to you!

2. AnonymousOctober 11,2021 at 5:29PM UTC

   Publishers of health sciences publications are sometimes looking to hire pharmacists as subject specialists. I would suspect the pay is horrible compared to pharm., but something to consider. Take a look to see what's available and what else you may need in order to get a job like tht. ALso, my friend is a pharm who works from home. It doesn't sound like a good gig at all (huge workload no patient contact) but it would allow you to sit down and not be robbed... good luck. I know pharm is a miserable field right now :(

3. Heather CutlerOctober 11,2021 at 5:34PM UTC

   I'd look at some pharmacy benefit managers like CVS Health, Express Scripts, and Optum where you can work remotely.

4. Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterOctober 11,2021 at 5:49PM UTC

   Sandra,

   Thanks for reaching out to the group! I think you are asking the wrong question. Instead of "what kind of jobs I'm qualified for" your question should be "what kind of jobs do I want to pursue?"

   As long as you don't want to be a doctor, lawyer, or other profession that requires a specific credential, you can go in most any direction you want. I recommend working with a career coach to determine your motivated skills, your values, and what you are looking for in an ideal employer.

5. AnonymousOctober 11,2021 at 6:23PM UTC

   Pharmaceutical sales would be a great transition and I hear that it pays extremely well. I think companies would be falling over themselves to nab someone with your qualifications.

6. AnonymousOctober 11,2021 at 8:35PM UTC

   What about clinical research admin work for a drug maker? I have no idea about this type of role but I'm sure drug companies need people like this.
   Retail pharmacy is crazy!
   Good luck!

7. Barb HansenOctober 11,2021 at 8:45PM UTC

   You could look at getting a job as an account manager, product manager, subject-matter-expert at a pharmacy-related, medication management or medication-adherence startup.

   Many startups in highly technical spaces (like medication adherence/pharmacy) want to hire experts, so in this case PharmDs, to help their clients (pharmacies, hospitals, or patients) learn the software or help internal teams (development, marketing, sales) stay on track.

   You may not have specific product/account management skills (although you already have plenty of transferrable soft skills), your PharmD education and experience could be invaluable to the right startup.

   I did something similar after 15 years of working in a hospital laboratory. I leapt from that career to doing product work in one of the first healthcare websites many years ago, and since then I've worked exclusively in startup Product (across many different industries) and I've worked in the medication management space, where I hired a few PharmDs to work in my Product departments. The company that I worked for in the MTM-space (Mirixa) merged with Pharmacy Quality Solutions, you could take a look to see if they are hiring.

8. Connie HymanOctober 12,2021 at 3:56AM UTC

   How about looking into pharmaceutical labs? Research and development.

9. Coach Nancie Kay ShumanOctober 12,2021 at 8:01AM UTC

   One of the best people to know at the VA Hospital is the Pharmacy Counselor. They take the time with each patient to double check their scripts and make sure that the patient knows what they are taking, how to take it, etc. It is a fabulous service. If you are interested in staying in the medical field, I would think this would be a great option.

   Another which comes to mind is teaching. The obvious is a position in a Pharm school, but also chemistry, biology, etc.

   But aside from that, as someone said, what do you want to do? What sparks your joy? What, as I ask my Coaching Clients, would make getting up in the morning exciting, where you yell, "YES!" and can't wait to get out the door? What would that look like?

10. Parrish McMichaelOctober 12,2021 at 1:28PM UTC

    Pharma sales

11. Kelly FosterOctober 12,2021 at 2:20PM UTC

    I would suggest looking at managed care and insurance jobs in pharmacy auditing type roles. There are also auditing and investigation type jobs available in government positions, particularly with OIG agencies that monitor for health care fraud, waste and abuse. Check to see if your state has a Health and Human Services OIG. Also, what about teaching?

12. Jennifer ElliottOctober 12,2021 at 6:03PM UTC

    I'm not a pharmacist, but I'm a recruiter in the life Sciences industry and I've spoken with many candidates that moved into a medical information role. There are agencies as well as pharmaceutical companies that offer these roles. From what I've heard, it can be easier to transition to a medical communication company than big pharma.

13. AnonymousOctober 13,2021 at 12:54PM UTC

    If you take short-term disability, you'd have some time off for treatment for PTSD. During that time you can also think about career options. I'm a librarian, and there are always openings for librarians in medical or science specialties. You can earn a library degree 100% online. That's just one of probably jillions of options for you.

14. AnonymousOctober 13,2021 at 1:49PM UTC

    You may have to take a pay cut but try to switch over to an clinical environment. Several non profits have pharmacies and you are actually able to use your clinical skills. Start looking for military positions but you may have to travel to sparely populated areas which is a negative but you can move over to a federal position if you start as an contractor. Do not throw the baby out with the bath water!!! Pharmacy is a wonderful career unfortunately retail has basically destroyed it. Take a deep breath and go forward.

15. AnonymousOctober 13,2021 at 6:46PM UTC

    Clarissa; is this a free service or are you looking for customers?

16. Angela MasonOctober 13,2021 at 9:38PM UTC

    usajobs.gov