Becoming a pharmacist is a rewarding and fulfilling career path. Still, many aspiring pharmacists graduate with substantial student loan debt, which can
be daunting to manage while starting their careers. However, various pharmacist loan forgiveness programs can ease this financial burden and pave the way to
debt-free living. This article will explore six pharmacist loan forgiveness programs that can help pharmacists achieve financial freedom.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
According to Bankrate, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program is a federal program designed to forgive the remaining balance on federal Direct Loans
after 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer. Pharmacists who work for non-profit organizations, government agencies,
or public health organizations may be eligible for this program.
Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) Loan Repayment Program
The Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) Loan Repayment Program encourages healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, to work in areas with a shortage
of healthcare providers. Pharmacists who commit to working in designated HPSAs for a specified period can receive loan repayment assistance.
Dr Michael Gamlen, the inventor of Gamlen instruments presents a tablet press machine to the students at the School of Pharmacy on 16 October.
The equipment not only solves the challenge of producing lab-scale tablets under precise conditions but also offers valuable insights into material
compaction properties.
It is also known as a powder compaction analyser which has been given on loan to the University of Sunderland for five years.
Dr Gamlen talks about the machine and how pharmacy students will benefit, saying: "It allows you to make tablets under tightly controlled conditions and enables
you to make accurate comparisons between different materials and processes.
"The students will be able to easily see the impact of the tablet compaction conditions on tablet properties. This is very important to understand when developing
new tablet formulations and manufacturing products."
Doctors are highly driven professionals seeking exceptional care and service for their clients. Some doctors may have private practices, while others serve
in different capacities in various healthcare institutions. Doctors are among the busiest professionals in the field and may also experience burnout if they're not
careful.
Fortunately, there's an alternative to such a scenario, and more and more healthcare professionals are looking into it. Locum tenens jobs are on the rise as doctors,
and other health workers seek to take advantage of various benefits that can lead to a better career. While doctors hold down their private practice, they also work
with other institutions and colleagues to provide expertise to patients in other locations. This can be rewarding as the doctors can improve their craft tremendously.
Here are some reasons to consider if you wish to explore locum tenens posts.
Better control and schedule flexibility
While career stability is quite important for most doctors, it can be intense for some and lead to burnout. When taking a locum tenens position, a doctor will have
the opportunity to explore other horizons that present themselves. They can see other patients and be exposed to scenarios that may not be present in their practice.
Locum posts also allow you to set your schedule and be flexible with your working hours as necessary. It can lead to better performance and job satisfaction, too.
Opportunity for better income
Accepting a locum position may entail getting extra shifts at another hospital or clinic. It may also mean getting some time with patients during your off days. You
can receive a significant bump to your income as you get to earn more aside from your regular salary. If you're looking to pay off student loans, build a college
fund for your kids, or set up an account to buy a house, working with locum posts may be the key.