Entry-Level Clinical Research Pharmacist Careers at UCLA Health
For undergraduates interested in a clinical research pharmacy career, pharmacy internships or technician roles at retail or hospital pharmacies provide foundational experience. A strong entry point into the research aspect, however, is a clinical research associate position, "working right next to the doctors" to ensure patients receive correct medications, a crucial step even if it "might look elementary."
Pharmacy Technician, Clinical Research Associate, Entry-Level Positions, Pharmacist, Research
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
David Park
Clinical Research Pharmacist
UCLA Health
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
Medical, Sciences & Related
Healthcare, Medical & Wellness
Medical
International Student
Video Highlights
1. To start a career as a pharmacist, consider entry-level positions like pharmacy intern, retail pharmacy clerk, or hospital pharmacy technician.
2. For undergraduates interested in the research aspect, a clinical research associate (CRA) position is a good starting point; CRAs work alongside doctors, manage paperwork, and ensure patients receive the correct medications.
3. While a pharmacist's license requires pharmacy school, experience as a CRA provides valuable early experience in the field and can help one better understand the clinical research setting before committing to a doctorate program in pharmacy.
Transcript
What entry-level positions in this field might an undergraduate college student consider?
As an undergraduate college student, if you want to be a pharmacist, you first have to look for pharmacy intern jobs. Some people start as a clerk at a retail pharmacy or a technician at a hospital pharmacy.
If you're genuinely interested, that's how you can start your career as a pharmacist. But it's not just about that. To focus more on the research aspect, it's very important to look into fields like clinical research associate.
I have several attendees with me who are graduates of the college. They work alongside doctors, ensuring all lab files and paperwork are gathered. It might seem elementary compared to what we do, but it's a crucial step.
This process ensures patients receive the right drug. So, to get an early foot in the door, I feel a clinical research associate role is a very good start. However, to be a pharmacist, you need a pharmacist's license, making pharmacy school important.
Advizer Personal Links