Inspiron

Hi

I'm a registered Community Pharmacist, working as a locum,with ,managerial experience for 10 years. I want to know wether its best to gain experience,then work for a chain like Walgreens or work as a locum hospital or community and in which state.

christmasoompa

The answer may depend on if you have the freedom to work for whoever you choose to or not, so to help people respond to you accurately can you just clarify what visa you'll be on? Or if you're an American citizen?

Thx.

Inspiron

I'm assuming its a work-permit visa having gained the prerequisite resident experience in the US as a Pharmacist

christmasoompa

Ah, ok. So if you'll need an employment based visa then you will only be authorised to work for your sponsoring employer on that.

If they are happy to support your 'green card' application further down the line, you will then be able to work for anybody (which is why a lot of employers are reluctant to sponsor green cards).

HTH.

Inspiron

Then after how many years, becoming a permanent US resident etc. does the ability to work for anyone happen?

christmasoompa

As soon as you're a Legal Permanent Resident (have a 'green card') you can work for anyone. How long it takes to get to that point will depend on how amenable your employer is to sponsoring it (some have a requirement to work for them for x years first, some won't sponsor at all), and the category they apply under (some employment based categories are much quicker than others).

ddsrph

I am a retired U.S. pharmacist and worked part time for a county hospital until 2012. In the 90’s there was a big shortage of pharmacist in the US but the number of pharmacy schools has doubled since then. There is now an over supply which could make finding a job very difficult. Are you knowledgeable about what it would take to get licensed in US with UK credentials? I am not but you should look into that as it may not be easy to do. Any updates to your status or progress?