Pharmacists Working Second Job
Pharmacists are known for working two jobs. A commonly cited survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that approximately one out of almost every seven registered pharmacists (13%) work a second job in the United States. Although most people think the primary reason that pharmacists take on a second job and "moonlight" is simply for the money, there's also several other primary reasons that they do it:- Insecurity at their present job- Expanding their skill sets in a different pharmacy setting or specialty- Getting their "foot in the door" at a better place to work if an opportunity opens up in the future- Obtaining benefits such as better insurance or discounts- Alleviate boredom during spare time
Tips for Pharmacists Looking for a Second Job
Whatever the motivation is for looking for a second job, planning is the key to success. Plenty of pharmacists who "moonlight" have successfully figured out how to work both their full time job, plus a part time job without getting exhausted or "burned out" over time. So whether you're doing it to simply increase your income stream or for some of the other various reasons, consider some of the following tips when getting started.
- Have a Plan:
As with every other aspect of our lives, planning is always the key to our successes. Although the plan sometimes may need fine-tuning and adjusting, plus absolutely requires flexibility on our part at times to get where we want to be, a "road map" is always required to get us to our destination efficiently and as quickly as possible. Would you get into a car and simply start driving aimlessly without a road map or a navigation unit towards where you "believe" your destination to be? Of course not! The same concept applies to working a second job. Knowing where you want to end up is great, but planning on how to get there before "starting your engine" will save you both time and frustration.
- Set Goals:
As we've previously discussed numerous times in the past on our blog posts , setting realistic goals is the very best way we can measure our success in life. Goals should always be what are known as SMART - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time oriented. Having goals and checking how you are doing against those goals will give you a way of measuring how working a second job is working out for you.
- Separate Your Full-time and Part-time Jobs:
Never present yourself or your employer with a conflict of interest. Try to always remember that your full-time job takes precedence over working a second job and that your primary fulltime job is what enables you to work a second job in the first place. Additionally, don't use your full-time job's resources for your second job. This includes your time, but also items such as office supplies, copiers and phones.
- Consider the Geography:
Travel time is part of the planning. Does your schedule allow for it? Perhaps a second job opportunity pays less, but is closer to your home? Actually physically driving the route between the jobs at the same time of the day you normally would may be a great way to judge how long it would really actually take you to get to a second job.
- Time Management:
Most pharmacists who "juggle" two jobs have excellent time management skills. This may be something that you will need to practice in order to be able to perform at your very best. Try to always keep in mind that there are only so many hours in a day. You may find that working a second job in a pharmacy requires that you work odd hours and shifts - nights, weekends and holidays. Work, family, sleep, relaxation, travel time and simply running routine errands all require excellent personal time management skills and the ability to keep on a schedule.
- Make Your Full-time Job Your Priority:
It may be a good idea for you to initially check with your employer regarding any policies existing regarding working a second job. Most employers do not prohibit working second jobs, but it is certainly wise to check and make sure that you are not breaking any rules from the very beginning. Employers are primarily concerned regarding any conflicts of interest and your productivity while you are at work. As long as you keep this in mind and working a second job doesn't interfere with your productivity, then you should never have any issues. Additionally, if you signed a non-compete, non-disclosure and/or confidentiality agreement, you may not be legally able to work for your primary employer’s competition. It is best to check first to make sure that you never place your primary job in jeopardy in any way.
Where Do You Find the "Right" Second Job?
With the current shortage of pharmacists throughout the USA these days, the question of where to find the right second job has become more of an issue than in previous years. Here are a few examples of where the pharmacists who responded to the Bureau of Labor Statistics survey found a second job:1. Working for a previous employer. Already knowing the personnel and the work routine is a benefit to both the pharmacist and the employer. A great example of the old cliché "never burn your bridges behind you" when leaving a position.2. Working at a pharmacy that you hope to work for in the future. Getting a part time position in a setting that you feel may be part of your future work goals allows you to "try out" the job to see if it actually meets your needs and expectations. It also lets the employer see your work ethics and get to know you. This is extremely important in cases where a position is lucrative and hard to get when there is a full-time opening available.3. Volunteering in your community. It is enlightening to research how many communities actually need pharmacists as volunteers. There are various understaffed local programs that could use some help.4. Utilizing a third-party staffing company (such as Healthcare Consultants Pharmacy Staffing).Let HCC do the work for you! Healthcare Consultants Pharmacy Staffing is one of the leading pharmacy staffing agencies in the United States. Established in 1989, we serve all fifty states in the USA. We attribute our years of success to always placing the right pharmacist in the right job situation and environment.If you are a pharmacist looking for a second job, we urge you to talk with us. With positions immediately available, feel free to contact us and to take a few minutes to introduce yourself and meet us. Owned and operated by pharmacists for over three decades now, Healthcare Consultants Pharmacy Staffing is recognized as a national leader in the pharmacy staffing, recruitment and the pharmacist permanent placement arena. Call us today at 800.642.1652, or contact us online to meet us and start a discussion on how we may be able to help you.