Hey Mysteryman….
Is this your first placement with Boots? Well done for getting the placement.
I did a Boots placement in my 2nd and 3rd year; it was hard work, but good. I felt like a headless chicken running around the shop, looking for shampoos, nappies, the lot!!
It’s a good idea to set your objectives before you start, and they will give you a day’s talk at the head office on what to expect. I’ve got some tips:
1. Make sure you go to the induction day at the head office to get the manual, or you will be lost!
2. Make sure you know who your tutor is and make an effort to see them before you start. Your tutor is key, as they will be assessing you every four weeks (over the 2 months) and give you marks out of 5 for competencies.
3. Try to get to know more about the pharmacy team – who does what, and what training they’ve had.
4. Make sure you spend enough time on the counter, MDS and dispensary. You should get more time in the dispensary.
5. Try to get lots of counseling experience – get a senior to observe you.
6. Know your OTC – it was daunting at first, esp if you have no experience. Have a look at the OTC directory or Community pharmacy by P. Rutter.
7. Get some experience of taking in prescriptions, labeling, dispensing, CD’s and sorting out problems.
8. Use the Stockleys interactions, BNF – look up anything your unsure of during quiet times.
9. MDS – make sure you know what not to blister and how to deal with nursing homes.
10. You might be asked to do a presentation – choose a unique topic. When I did mine, everyone chose to do – hay fever, traveler’s diarrhoea, nausea etc.
11. For the Exam, it’s easy – just make sure you know your counseling, OTC, basic law and calculations.
12. Keep in touch with friends doing the placement and enjoy– it does help!
Good luck and I hope this helps….
