So You Want to be a Pharmacist?Pre-Pharmacy Workshop

Fall 2012

Dr. Shirley Kovacs, Biology Dr. Prudence Lowe, Computer Science Dr. Joy Goto, Chemistry Dr. Santanu Maitra, Chemistry Dr. Paul Crosbie, Biology

Pre-Pharmacy Advising

Hospital Pharmacy Academic Pharmacy Consulting Pharmacy Community Pharmacy Public Health Pharmacy Managed Care Pharmacy Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Regulatory Agency Pharmacy Pharmaceutical Sciences/Industry

Pharmacy Career Choices: A Broad Spectrum from Retail to Research

To make a good pharmacist requires: A strong understanding of science

◦ Biology, Chemistry and Physics◦ Anatomy, Microbiology and Physiology◦ Calculus and Statistics◦ Biochemistry and Pharmacology

Communication skills◦ Explain indications, side-effects and contraindications to

individuals who are perhaps not at their coherent best People skills Counseling skills

Pharmacists:Biomedical-Generalists

Specific Academic Coursework and Strong Academic Performance

Community Service and Volunteer Work Knowledge of Pharmacy and the Health Care

Industry Evidence of Leadership Maturity Participation in Extracurricular Activities and

Student Organizations Pharmacy Experience

Pre-Pharmacy Prerequisites

Construct an academic program that helps you succeed

Join the Pre-Pharmacy Club◦ Community Service Activities and Volunteer work

with Club members◦ Club Speakers offer insight on Pharmacy Careers

and Health Care Issues◦ Field Trips to California Pharmacy Schools◦ Opportunities for Leadership Roles

Consider becoming a Pharmacy Technician to obtain pharmacy experience

Help in Meeting the Prerequisites

California Board of Pharmacy requires that an applicant for a pharmacy technician permit must meet one of two following criteria:◦ Complete certified training in one of four ways:

Associate Arts degree in pharmacy technology Course meeting training specified by the Board Graduate from an approved School of Pharmacy Train through the Federal Armed Services

◦ Be certified by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board by passing their exam

Pharmacy Technician

To practice pharmacy in California, individuals must meet State Licensing requirements, which includes passing the Licensure Exams (NAPLEX and California Jurisprudence Exam)

Eligibility: To be eligible for examination, the applicant must be Complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of practical pharmacy experience prior to the application deadline◦ Intern Experience conducting the duties of a pharmacist ◦ Hours count during and after Pharmacy School◦ Pharmacy Technician experience does not apply

Experience for Licensure: Must have completed 1,500 hours (500 additional hours over and above the examination requirement)

Licensure as a Registered Pharmacist in California

Sensory:◦ Observe, Speak, Write, Comprehend and Listen to achieve communication goals with

patients and health care professionals

Mobility:◦ Coordinate gross and fine motor movements, equilibrium, and functional use of touch

and vision◦ Physical maneuvering, including balance, orientation and stamina for assisting a

person in need of support or using a mobility device

Cognitive:◦ Measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize information◦ Understand and apply scientific methods and principles◦ Concentrate in distracting conditions and for prolonged periods of time

Behavioral:◦ Understand and comply with ethical and legal standards of the pharmacy profession◦ Tolerate stress and exercise judgment in emergencies◦ Maintain a professional demeanor and manners to patients and health care

professionals◦ Accept feedback and respond with appropriate behavior or modification of behavior

Competencies in each of the four categories are expected to be demonstrated throughout the program. These technical standards are consistent with the expectations of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. They will be reviewed and updated to reflect the competencies necessary to safely and adequately perform in both an academic and clinical setting.

Technical Standards (UOP version)

Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS)—Required by California Schools◦ Electronic Application

Application Cycle from Early June to Early January NOVEMBER 1 Deadline is common in CA—start process early

◦ Electronic Submission of Letters of Recommendation◦ Other information and distribution tools

Supplemental Application◦ School-specific questions with School-specific distributions and

deadlines!

Transcripts◦ Multiple Updates required throughout the year◦ Final Transcript with Degree Conferral before matriculation

Application to Pharmacy School

Your PharmCAS ID Number.

Written essay information (may be copied and pasted from Word or other word processing software). This essay is in addition to the essay on the PharmCAS application. The topic is: Describe how you have explored the profession of Pharmacy, and UCSD in particular, to determine this is the career path and the school for you.

List of schools, organizations, community services, leadership positions and outside interests

Letters of Evaluation must be submitted through PharmCAS directly

UCSD’s Supplemental Application For Students Entering Fall 2013

School Avg GPA M/F Ratio CA Acceptance Northstate 3.21 38/62 87% of 105 UOP 3.5 36/64 94% of 200 Loma Linda 3.3 33/67 72% of 85 Touro 3.43 27/73 90% of 104 UCSD 3.7 27/73 ?? % of 60 UCSF 3.6 25/75 85% of 122 USC 3.61 25/75 ?? % of 190 Western 3.41 20/80 ?? % of 120

California Pharmacy School Statistics

Not Required for California Pharmacy Schools◦ UOP and Loma Linda will NOT review; Touro will

Required by most Out-of-State Pharmacy Schools

Computerized, timed exam (4 hours) with seven sections:◦ 240 multiple-choice questions for five sections:

Verbal Ability, Biology, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Ability, and Chemistry

◦ Two Writing sections, each allowing 30 minutes to construct a problem-solving essay

Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)

Interview Periods vary by School◦ UOP has a three tier admissions review and

interview process◦ UCSF has about a 3-4 week window from late

January to mid-February Prepare

◦ Know about School and be prepared to elaborate on what you wrote in your personal statement

◦ Familiarize yourself with current issues in Pharmacy and Health Care

The Interview

Be yourself Be calm and relaxed Demonstrate self-confidence and discipline Demonstrate your intellectual capability,

but avoid arrogance and egotism Exude maturity and emotional stability Be disciplined and on-time Be professional and friendly Try to enjoy the experience and learn

whether this is the right school for you

The Interview