Pharmacy Careers After Actions

Pharmacy Careers After Actions

I was working on finding a pharmacist for an independent retail pharmacy in rural Kansas not too long ago.   I had found the perfect candidate, he matched all the criteria that they needed however, he had actions on his license – and not just minor infractions for a continuing education credit – but actions from theft due to an addiction to pain meds.   This pharmacist gave me the “watered down” version of why he had received actions, basically lied to me about why he had received actions on his license.  As a rookie, I bought it and passed along the information to my client. 

My client was willing to consider this candidate and was very excited to receive his resume in spite of the actions.  I had summarized very thoroughly the information the pharmacist had shared with me concerning his actions.   Next, the client googled the pharmacists name and found the board meeting notes of his hearing with the Board of Pharmacy.   The minutes of the meeting documented, in depth, what had actually occurred and this testimony of events was quite different than what the candidate had shared with me or my client.   Obviously the client decided not to hire the pharmacist or to even interview him.

It is very difficult in this day and age to find a descent pharmacy job in retail and if you have actions on your license you might be tempted to lie and cover it up.  It is always best to be upfront and honest with employers when you have actions.   You are absolutely going to be passed up for a lot of amazing jobs as a result of the actions on your license but, when you finally do find an employer who’s willing to consider you in spite of your past mistakes, you’ll know you’ve found a keeper.   Here are some tips for pharmacists who have actions on their licenses.

1.      Network!   Most states have a pharmacy recovery program, these programs are filled with sympathetic and empathetic pharmacists – some of whom make the hiring decisions for pharmacists in their companies.

2.      Be honest!   Own up to your mistakes.  Don’t be dismissive about small infractions.  A pharmacist who says to an employer, “My action was only a continuing education violation.” Is actually saying, “I don’t care enough about my career to follow the rules of the Board of Pharmacy and I don’t think it’s a big deal if I don’t!”   Instead own your mistakes no matter how big or how small they are and explain to employers, even in a cover letter, what you have done since the action to make sure the mistake never happens again.

3.      Go above and beyond!   Chances are if you have an action the Board of Pharmacy has imposed fines and required some therapy classes or additional training of some sort.  Every Pharmacist who wants to remain a pharmacist is obligated to comply with the boards requests.    If you go above what the board asks, that’s something you can show to potential employers and sends the message that you are serious about not repeating that mistake.   Take the continuing education classes required and then go above and beyond by taking an additional class.  Go to the group sessions that the board requires and then go above and beyond by attending an additional session.

4.      Address it up front!   From the moment you have an action on your license until the day you die, that action remains public record.   While you don’t want to advertise it all over your resume you do want to make sure you are upfront with employers about your actions.  If you have a chance to email a resume to an employer, or to send a cover letter or a message that they will read before they get your resume you have a chance to tell them upfront about your actions.   This is another great way to show ownership, to explain your side of the actions and what steps you have taken since then to make sure you don’t repeat your mistakes.

In conclusion, now that you have an action on your license it is going to be harder for you to find employment as a pharmacist.  That doesn’t mean it is impossible.   There are many great employers out there who realize that mistakes happen, people mess up and they are willing to give pharmacists a second chance.