Working as a Pharmacist on a Tropical Island: How to Get Licensed in 4 Caribbean Destinations
Key takeaways:
With your U.S. pharmacist license it is possible to work all over the world, including on tropical islands.
Four tropical nations close to the U.S. where pharmacists can pursue licensure include the Bahamas, Bermuda, Turks and Caicos, and the Cayman Islands.
To practice in most of these countries, you will need proof of graduation and licensure in the U.S., a CV, and reference letters. You will also need immigration documents (like a passport), a work permit, and medical clearance.
After graduation, wanderlust pharmacists might be considering taking their pharmacy education abroad. There are many ways to do that. Perhaps the most straightforward path, though, is practicing pharmacy in a traditional setting, like in the community or at a hospital. Still, the language barrier will make it difficult in most cases, unless it is another English-speaking country.
In the first post in this series, we looked at how to take your pharmacist license overseas and work in Canada, New Zealand, the U.K., or Australia. Here, we’ll look at how to get licensed in four tropical island destinations: The Bahamas, Bermuda, Turks and Caicos, and the Cayman Islands.
The Bahamas
The Bahamas is an island nation located off the coast of Florida, with Bimini being the closest at only 48 nautical miles from Miami. It is heavily dependent on tourism, which makes up around 50% of GDP. And it is made up of 700 islands popular for water sports like fishing, diving, and paddleboarding.
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Licensing
The Bahamas Pharmacy Council regulates the practice of pharmacy. The council requires:
Proof of licensure in the U.S.
A certificate of good standing from the Board of Pharmacy
Proof of valid immigration status, like citizenship or a work permit
Documentation of supervised practical hours
Passport photos
Medical examination
It’s also a good idea to become familiar with their laws for pharmacy practice.
The job market
Community pharmacies include KZ Pharmaceuticals, The Prescription Parlour Pharmacy, and The Prescription Centre Pharmacy. Lowe’s Wholesale is a major drug distributor and might also be a potential employer. The Public Hospitals Authority runs many of the country’s hospitals, as well as Doctor’s Hospital Health System.
While the job posting is very old, there have been jobs in nontraditional settings come open in the past, like with the National Insurance Board. This job required the pharmacist to conduct data analyses, prepare reports and presentations, and get involved in various public health activities.
Pharmacists in the Bahamas earn about $86,000 BSD per year (about $86,000 USD), according to the Economic Research Institute. The cost of living in the Bahamas is about 26% higher, on average, than the U.S. In fact, Better Homes and Gardens estimates rent at around $1,250 per month for a 1-bedroom apartment and $2,500 per month for a 3-bedroom apartment.
Bermuda
Bermuda is located about 650 miles off the coast of North Carolina. It is an independent, self-governing British territory popular for pink sand beaches, turquoise waters, and both reef and wreck diving. There are about 60 pharmacists in total working in the territory who trained at Colleges of Pharmacy all over the world.
Licensing
To get a registration to practice pharmacy in Bermuda, pharmacists must pass a written exam from the Bermuda Pharmacy Council. They must also have at least 6 months of practice experience. At least 1 month of this experience must be in Bermuda, so pharmacists will need to find a job first and work as an intern for that period of time. They must also renew their registration every 2 years.
The job market
According to the Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association, there are a total of 15 retail pharmacies and 2 hospital pharmacies. While official government data isn’t widely available, they note that there is a growing demand for pharmacists.
The Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association recommends anyone wanting to work in Bermuda to find jobs one of three ways:
On their website
On the website for the Royal Gazette
By reaching out to individual companies directly
The Department of Labour also has a job board that might be helpful.
Pharmacists can expect salaries similar to, or higher, than in the U.S. According to the Economic Research Institute, pharmacists earn an average of around $128,000 BMD per year, with that projected to increase to $146,000 BMD by 2027. Taxes are also lower in Bermuda, which doesn’t have a personal income tax.
Keep in mind, though, Bermuda has one of the highest costs of living in the world. As of 2022, rent for a 3-bedroom house can cost over $4,000 BMD per month.
The Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands, located south of Cuba, are a British Overseas Territory that consist of Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac. A popular spot for cruise ships, divers, and tourists looking to spend time on the beach, the Cayman Islands are a great place to live, too.
According to the U.S. Department of State, they are safe and have a standard of medical care comparable to the U.S. As a practicing pharmacist, this means that you will be able to practice in a setting with standards similar to what you would have in the U.S.
Licensing
For pharmacists licensed in the U.S., the Cayman Islands requires:
Proof of licensure, usually in the form of a letter of good standing from the state Board of Pharmacy
A letter of intent stating the name of the healthcare facility you will work at
A letter of affiliation directly from your employer
Two references
Various other items, like passport photos and a completed medical examination by a physician who has known the applicant for at least 2 years
You can download other forms necessary for registration on the Department of Health Regulatory Services website.
Registration lasts for 2 years. To renew your registration, you will be required to complete 40 hours of continuing education covering a range of mandatory topics. You will also be required to give proof of current CPR certification.
The job market
Like the other countries on this list, exact figures on the pharmacist job market are not available.
However, there are several places to look for jobs. One way is to check the websites for companies that employ pharmacists. This includes the Health Services Authority, one of the largest employers of healthcare professionals on the islands, Doctors Hospital, Health City Cayman Islands. It also includes various retail pharmacies, like Health Care Pharmacy or Doctors Express Pharmacy.
Cayman Resident offers a complete list of pharmacies in the Cayman Islands that can be a good place to start. A 2020 pharmacist job posting from the Health Services Authority advertises an annual salary of $74,186 to $86,446 USD.
Like Bermuda, the Cayman Islands has one of the world’s highest costs of living, estimated at 40% higher than the average U.S. cost of living. According to local real estate firm Kuavo Cayman, a fully furnished 2-bedroom condo rents for $1,800 to $3,500 KYD per month. Properties on the water rent for about 50% more.
Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos, located southeast of the Bahamas, is an island nation made up of 40 different islands — 8 of which are inhabited. The capital and most populated areas are located on the island of Providenciales, so most jobs will likely be on that island as well. It is very dependent on tourism, with only 31,000 residents but 1.3 million tourists arriving in 2016. This is the most recent year data available.
Licensing
The Health Professionals Authority offers administrative support to all three health professions Councils on the islands, one of which is the Allied Health Professions and Pharmacy Professions Council. Regulation began only recently, with the Health Professions Ordinance being passed in 2016.
Under this law, pharmacists must have completed a pharmacy degree program or be licensed in another jurisdiction. You must also provide documents like proof of identity, proof of qualifications, and proof of practicing as a pharmacist over the past 24 months. You will also need to provide a CV and references. You can find all the forms you need for registration on the Council’s website.
There isn’t much salary information available. However, a September 2022 job posting is offering pharmacists a tax-free salary of $3,500 USD per month on a 6-month contract.
The local site Visit Turks and Caicos Islands has a comprehensive relocation guide. They estimate average rent for a 1-bedroom to start at around $1,000 USD — with much higher rates in Grace Bay and much lower rates in smaller, outer islands.
They also remind those interested in moving there that Turks and Caicos is a developing country. The slow pace of government and shipping along with ongoing concerns about crime are things to consider before moving.
The job market
There are no widely available statistics about pharmacist demand in Turks and Caicos. There are, however, several hospitals and many community pharmacies that can be a good place to start when looking for a job.
Many of the country’s hospitals are owned by TCI Hospitals, while community pharmacies include Flamingo Pharmacy, Island Pharmacy, and Grace Bay Pharmacy.
The bottom line
It is completely possible to take your pharmacy license abroad to a beautiful, tropical island nation and enjoy everything it has to offer while also pursuing your pharmacy career. These four countries offer a relatively easy licensing process and are dependent on outside pharmacy schools, boosting your chances of finding a job.
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