HOW CAN PHARMACIST MAKE EXTRA MONEY?

Hello friends, welcome back to my blog.

For any pharmacists interested in making extra income, these are the methods I have used to increase my annual take-home. You might find that your salary is insufficient to meet your requirements. Some of the simplest ways that you can add some extra income on the side are as follows:

1. Working extra shifts

If someone calls out sick, they might ask you to come in. This situation sounds straightforward, right? Here is a tip to increase your chance of gaining an extra shift: let your boss know your availability and that you are interested in taking on a few more shifts. If your boss doesn’t know, they are less likely to make that arrangement for you. Once the schedule comes out, there might be even more shifts available. Make sure to watch out for the schedule email and let your boss know right away that you want to take over those availability slots.

2. Taking new projects

New projects also mean you will learn more about the world of pharmacy. Sometimes these cost-saving projects can earn overtime pay that will help you significantly support your current income.

Currently, my hospital is replacing Pyxis with Omnicell. These are the medication auto-dispensing cabinet. This project started in November of 2021, and we are two weeks out from completion. During the past five months, I have scheduled a bunch of extra staffing because of so many side projects: Planning, stocking meds, unloading med, … We are on track to complete the project according to plan because of the staff who are willing to sign up to help.

3. Adding to your credentials

You can also support your existing income by adding to your existing credentials. There are several credentials that you can earn along with your existing certifications, such as:

• Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist (BCOP)
• Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)
• Board Certified Nutrition Support Pharmacist (BCNSP)

These certifications can’t guarantee that you will make more money. It can, however, potentially help make it easier for you to earn an extra income in the future. For instance, I recently completed Master of Business and Administration (MBA) at the University of La Verne in September 2021. I haven’t made any more money since but the MBA is a considerable addition to my resume. It makes me a better candidate when I want to get a position to manage a more significant hospital pharmacy. If I want to take a non-traditional pharmacist career route, such as Chief of Operation or managing a pharmaceutical company, I can.

 In addition, if your employer is prepared to pay for the courses, you will find that it reduces the financial burden and prepares you for better opportunities in the future.

4. Apply for a moonlighting pharmacist gig

A moonlighting gig means a job outside of the current organization. If you have an additional day off and rather make money versus staying home, you can look in Indeed for a perdiem pharmacist position. For instance, if you are a pharmacist at Rite Aid, look for a perdiem job at a hospital. If you are a hospital pharmacist, you can see if any other hospital in the area offer perdiem position. When interviewing with the new company, be honest about your schedule and tell them your willingness to pick up a consistent schedule.

When I was a pharmacist at Barstow Community Hospital, my schedule was seven days on and seven days off. I wanted to make more money on those seven days off, so I applied for the perdiem position at a hospital near my house. I will not sugarcoat it because it is not easy to get a per-diem position. Jobs are very hard to come by nowadays. I sent my application to many places and was very lucky to gain acceptance.

Thus, as a pharmacist, you can look for several ways to supplement your income, which can help you repay your student loans. It is essential to stay updated with the world of medicines and develop people skills. These are skills that you will have to cultivate if you are looking to earn extra income as a tutor, grants director, project manager, or any position, along with being a pharmacist. Undoubtedly, all of these positions will be associated with your current position as a pharmacist ad related to your knowledge of pharmacy. Still, you will find that these help you expand your horizons.

References

12 February 2021, Side hustles: how pharmacists can turn their passions into a money-spinner, The Pharmaceutical Journal,                   

https://pharmaceutical–journal.com/article/feature/side–hustles–how–pharmacists–can–turn–their–passions–into–a–money–spinner

2 February 2020, 19 ways to make extra money as a pharmacist in 2020, Your Financial Pharmacist

https://yourfinancialpharmacist.com/14-practical–ways–to–make–extra–money–as–a–pharmacist–in-2019/