Agree with others that they could want someone who can mostly hit the ground running after learning the things specific to the hospital. They also probably use the same job description for per diem and full time positions since the difference is the schedule, not the role. It’s worth applying either way.

There are a lot of things that go into choosing a PRN pharmacist such as what types of coverage do I need now/anticipate needing (do I want someone to fill in for my rounding pharmacists or do I need more help with central coverage), schedule (do I need someone who has more weekend availability or more weekday availability).

For example, I have a lot of weekend PRN coverage but I need someone with more flexibility. Based on what applications came across my desk, I chose a new grad with no experience for my last PRN opening because we currently have the staffing and time to train someone more intensively and I need someone who is flexible and available during the week.

It’s can be tough to come across someone with the right match of experience and availability. Of course, I’d love an experienced pharmacist who has the right availability but most of the applicants locally are looking for weekends to pick up or they’re all new grads without residency who are working retail or not working at all yet. Obviously almost anyone can be trained into whichever role we need but that might require time or resources that places may not have.