Looking for work in St. Louis

[Dine 1]

Hello,

there are LOTS of voluntary jobs in hospitals, and if you start as a volunteer you might be a top pick when a permanent position opens up. That's how I got my job...

Good luck!

Hi there

Thanks for the reply. I don't mind doing volunteer work, I have done some already, but I really need a job now. Working as a PT aide for example is almost the same as working as a volunteer, the pay is almost non existent But I would be more then happy to do that right now.. I need to have an income.

People help!!!!! )

[Darnell 8,478]

tempus fugit.

sorry. yer probably used to 'online' stuff back at yer home country.

it doesn't work that way here, in many industries and professions.

many times, it's who ya know and who knows you.

no one knows you, you know no one.

bring sandwiches, make new friends, 3rd shift (you missed that part, and I surmise you not know what it means) also.

You get involved with LOCAL professional organizations, as well? if not, why not?

[Dine 1]

tempus fugit.

sorry. yer probably used to 'online' stuff back at yer home country.

it doesn't work that way here, in many industries and professions.

many times, it's who ya know and who knows you.

no one knows you, you know no one.

bring sandwiches, make new friends, 3rd shift (you missed that part, and I surmise you not know what it means) also.

You get involved with LOCAL professional organizations, as well? if not, why not?

Again, thanks for the advice. I am involved with local organizations, I am connected to a professional employment group and so on..

As for your other advice, I have been advised not to do that actually.

But I appreciate any input. And yes, things were different back home. But as I wrote in my first post, I am only applying for jobs that I am well qualified for. I do not expect a great job with great pay all at once. New beginnings can be rough anywhere. I would just like it to be a job within healthcare, because that's what Im good at.

Edited May 31, 2012 by Dine

[Maria TH 20]

I am a licensed pharmacist in my home country, but as you have said, to get the license here is a long road to go.

I just got a job here so I would like to share my experience, hope it would be helpful for you.

Since I cannot work as a pharmacist here yet, I decided to go for Pharmacy Technician career so I can get my feet in the door while trying to obtain the license here.

From what I read, you are not yet certified or registered even as an assistant/aid.

First of all, you have to check if the requirement of Physical Therapy Assistant is certified and registered with the State, if it is needed, then you will have to get it before going out for the job hunting. It will open a lot more opportunity for you.

After I got my Green Card, I went to take the exam and got certified Pharmacy Tech within a week. Of course I have studied and practiced the exam while I was waiting for my Green Card to get approved.

Then I registered with Texas State Board of Pharmacy. This process took me around 4 weeks.

I was about to send applications while waiting, but all their application forms asked if I am registered and some asked for registered number which I didn't have it yet.

So I waited because I think if I sent them, they will just throw my resume away and it would be problem to re-apply again even after I got registered.

I got my registered number on May 13th. then I started to sent out a lot of applications that I can find on Job Boards online, I sent around 30 apps in 2 days.

2 weeks passed, I haven't got any call/contact back from the jobs that have posted on big Job Boards like Indeed, Monster, Simplyhired or CareerBuilder. NONE.

After I sent all those apps till I couldn't find anymore job to apply, then I tried Craigslist. I found a few there which were not posted on those big Boards. I sent 2 applications on May 16th, I got a call the next day and scheduled the interview on Thursday May 24th. My first interview for Pharmacy Tech!

And that was it! They hired me with the standard rate. I am now waiting for drug screen test result which I am sure I have no problem about it.

My new employer is not a small one, they are just conservative and do not have open position often enough to have recruitment agencies or post on the big job boards out there.

So.. my advice is:

1.Get yourself certified and registered

2.Craigslist is a good source, less competitiveness, less recruiting steps (because most of the jobs there, are posted by employers not agencies). Most likely your emails or phone calls will reach your future boss directly.

3.Believe in yourself and be patient!

I hope this help and good luck! (F)

Edited May 31, 2012 by Maria TH

[Dine 1]

I am a licensed pharmacist in my home country, but as you have said, to get the license here is a long road to go.

I just got a job here so I would like to share my experience, hope it would be helpful for you.

Since I cannot work as a pharmacist here yet, I decided to go for Pharmacy Technician career so I can get my feet in the door while trying to obtain the license here.

From what I read, you are not yet certified or registered even as an assistant/aid.

First of all, you have to check if the requirement of Physical Therapy Assistant is certified and registered with the State, if it is needed, then you will have to get it before going out for the job hunting. It will open a lot more opportunity for you.

After I got my Green Card, I went to take the exam and got certified Pharmacy Tech within a week. Of course I have studied and practiced the exam while I was waiting for my Green Card to get approved.

Then I registered with Texas State Board of Pharmacy. This process took me around 4 weeks.

I was about to send applications while waiting, but all their application forms asked if I am registered and some asked for registered number which I didn't have it yet.

So I waited because I think if I sent them, they will just throw my resume away and it would be problem to re-apply again even after I got registered.

I got my registered number on May 13th. then I started to sent out a lot of applications that I can find on Job Boards online, I sent around 30 apps in 2 days.

2 weeks passed, I haven't got any call/contact back from the jobs that have posted on big Job Boards like Indeed, Monster, Simplyhired or CareerBuilder. NONE.

After I sent all those apps till I couldn't find anymore job to apply, then I tried Craigslist. I found a few there which were not posted on those big Boards. I sent 2 applications on May 16th, I got a call the next day and scheduled the interview on Thursday May 24th. My first interview for Pharmacy Tech!

And that was it! They hired me with the standard rate. I am now waiting for drug screen test result which I am sure I have no problem about it.

My new employer is not a small one, they are just conservative and do not have open position often enough to have recruitment agencies or post on the big job boards out there.

So.. my advice is:

1.Get yourself certified and registered

2.Craigslist is a good source, less competitiveness, less recruiting steps (because most of the jobs there, are posted by employers not agencies). Most likely your emails or phone calls will reach your future boss directly.

3.Believe in yourself and be patient!

I hope this help and good luck! (F)

Hi

Congratulations, great to hear you got a job! I cannot work as physical therapy assistant either, because this is a degree of its own and you must be licenced in the state of Missouri as a PTA. It doesn't matter that I am already a PT, I would have to go to school to earn a degree as a PTA. I can however work as PT aide, and I do not need any licence for this.

I have, just like you, tried all the 'big' sites, with no luck thus far. I have also sent my resume to two or three postings on craigslist, but these turned out to be false. I am always looking though, its the first thing I do in the morning, when I wake up I have sent my European PT diploma to be verified by a US credentialing commisson, waiting for the results. This will then tell me what I need to do further to obtain a PT liscence in MO.

Thank you for sharing your experience. It is much appreciated.

All the best,

Eldina

[Maria TH 20]

Hi

Congratulations, great to hear you got a job! I cannot work as physical therapy assistant either, because this is a degree of its own and you must be licenced in the state of Missouri as a PTA. It doesn't matter that I am already a PT, I would have to go to school to earn a degree as a PTA. I can however work as PT aide, and I do not need any licence for this.

I have, just like you, tried all the 'big' sites, with no luck thus far. I have also sent my resume to two or three postings on craigslist, but these turned out to be false. I am always looking though, its the first thing I do in the morning, when I wake up I have sent my European PT diploma to be verified by a US credentialing commisson, waiting for the results. This will then tell me what I need to do further to obtain a PT liscence in MO.

Thank you for sharing your experience. It is much appreciated.

All the best,

Eldina

Ohh, so it is different..

Well, so I think the idea to walk in is a good one.

This time of the year also a lot of newly graduated students are in the market.. wish you luck in job hunting. (F)

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

http://www.indeed.com/q-Physical-Therapy-Assistant-l-Belleville,-IL-jobs.html

http://payscale-jobs.jobamatic.com/a/jobs/find-jobs/q-Physical+Therapy+Assistant/l-Belleville,+IL

Openings in STL and the metro east.

[Darnell 8,478]

As for your other advice, I have been advised not to do that actually.

Interesting. The 3rd shift nursing crew knows all, and knows everybody.

The BEST way to get them to open up, and TALK to you,

is to feed them.

Sorry, yer still not getting it.

[Dine 1]

http://www.indeed.com/q-Physical-Therapy-Assistant-l-Belleville,-IL-jobs.html

http://payscale-jobs.jobamatic.com/a/jobs/find-jobs/q-Physical+Therapy+Assistant/l-Belleville,+IL

Openings in STL and the metro east.

[/quo

As I mentioned earlier I cannot work as a PTA. This is a seperate degree. But thank you for the input!

Hopefully something will come along soon..

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Noted, but you can enter any position into the search bar for STL and metro east.

[Dine 1]

Noted, but you can enter any position into the search bar for STL and metro east.

Fully aware of that Thanks. Do you live around here?

[Penny Lane 8,159]

then that would be a no. You not walk around. 'applying online' won't work for you.

you should walk in, on the third shift, talk with folk in the nursing stations, and inquire. The third shift folksen usually have been there forever, know everybody, and can tell you who to talk to..

if'n yer nice to them

and if'n you bring sandwiches (no, i'm not kidding)

Because that's not bizarre at all. A random stranger walking in off the street and handing you some sandwiches in exchange for information on employment.

Edited June 14, 2012 by Evylin

[HannahP 119]

Oh good god.

First off, "third shift" in an acute care setting happens but is not routine. The majority of staff work either days or nights.

I don't know why darnell is being such a moron but I'm pretty certain that anyone who has ever set foot in a hospital knows that night shift is populated by on-call residents and new nurses.

You know who I never see as a night nurse? My nurse manager. You know who hires folks? My nurse manager. (You know who actually works day hours? PT/OT and all their assistants.)

[Dine 1]

I got an interview for a job i would really like to do! Pray for me guys

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I got an interview for a job i would really like to do! Pray for me guys

Good luck!!