A pharmacy student is a pharmacy student. But as soon as you are released from the safety of university into the working world, a great chasm seems to open down the centre of the profession, dividing those who choose community practice and those who plump for the hospital environment. It may feel like you have little time or opportunity to assess these different career paths before you find yourself marching headlong down one of them. But switching between the two sectors remains an option, even several years into your career.
If you're a community pharmacist looking for a more clinical role, then making the move into hospital could be worth considering, says Professor Ray Fitzpatrick, clinical director of pharmacy at the Royal Wolverhampton Hospital, and chair of the RPSGB's hospital pharmacists group.
One of the biggest differences between the community and hospital sectors, he explains, is that hospital pharmacists spend a lot less time in the dispensary, which is often managed by technicians. “The vast majority of a hospital pharmacist's time is spent in the ward environment,” Professor Fitzpatrick says. On the wards, pharmacists are involved in reviewing and checking prescriptions clinically, before they are sent back to the dispensary.
Additional clinical training is a must as hospital pharmacists develop their careers, and many end up working in specialised areas. Within these they may be as knowledgeable in therapeutics and prescription notes as the other medical staff, and at a higher level than many of the junior doctors.
So is it really possible for someone working in community pharmacy to take on all of this? “Yes, they can: I'm a living example of one [who has],” says Professor Fitzpatrick, who moved to hospital pharmacy after being a manager in the community sector. And Jane Lumb, training manager at Numark, agrees: “One of the benefits of a career in pharmacy is that many of the core skills and competencies in the various fields are transferable.” Skills such as communication, patient focus, and the ability to work as part of a team will be valued in both sectors, Ms Lumb explains.
To make your case stronger, Ms Lumb suggests a clinical diploma. Professional development and additional clinical training are high on the agenda throughout hospital pharmacists' careers.
Communication is also important, as hospital pharmacists must be able to deal with patients who are very unwell, as well as working closely with a range of healthcare professionals. Anything you can do to demonstrate that you have these skills would help.
Professor Fitzpatrick also advises pharmacists to make the move as early as possible, as switching sectors in more senior roles can be more difficult. You might also need to be prepared to come in at a lower level than you were at in your own sector, he warns. “That's part of the sacrifice you have to make for long-term career development,” he says.
If you are looking to move later on in your career, though, don't give up, as it could be possible, for example if you have lots of managerial skills. You may just need to be more selective about which job you go for, matching the competencies needed to your experiences.
Above all, it's important to have the right attitude and to show enthusiasm for making the move. A good way to demonstrate this enthusiasm would be to get some understanding of hospital pharmacy. Consider getting in touch with your local chief pharmacist and asking if you can do some work experience or even just a day seeing how it works.
Professor Fitzpatrick says pharmacists shouldn't be frightened of trying to make the move, as ”with the right training, anybody can be a hospital pharmacist”. He says: “All you have got to have is the desire and motivation to do it.”
It's worth remembering also that there are some things you will be able to do better than your hospital colleagues and these could help you land that dream job. Professor Fitzpatrick says of community pharmacists: “They are much more self-reliant because they have had to be, they are put in charge of a team of staff. They understand the business side of pharmacy as well and that's something we have probably neglected somewhat in our hospital pharmacists.”
So approach the move with enthusiasm, and the confidence to show off your key skills and attributes, and there should be nothing to stop you making that switch from a community to a hospital setting.