Asda Locum Pharmacist Listening Groups

[john evans]

Forgive me for jumping on the forum, but I am after some help.

I am holding a number of 'Listening Groups' with our locums throughout 2011. The first will be held at Asda Pentwyn, Cardiff at 7:00pm on Monday 10th January, and another at Asda Sunderland at 7:00pm on Tuesday 5th April. Others will follow in London and Birmingham later in the year.

I am keen to learn what we need to do to support locums when they work with us at Asda. I am aware that we have some great stores and also have others that are 'difficult', and I want to get all to a level where our pharmacists and our locums can expect to work in a safe and professional working environment.

We have already taken some of your advice from the C&D article a couple of years ago A little locum knowledge - Chemist + Druggist

We may not be able to satisfy everyone's needs but it would be helpful to know what is important to locums so that we can work towards this.

I envisage that each session would be pretty informal, you doing most of the talking, me doing a lot of the listening, would last about 90 minutes and probably have up to 5 or 6 locums. As far as payment goes, we plan to reimburse attendees with the same amount as when we hold Customer Listening Groups which is a £25 Gift card and some refreshments.

I don’t know how much any of you work with Asda these days but it would be great to have your input - would you be interested?

If you are, let me know by e mail at john.evans@asda.co.uk and we can discuss more details. In the meantime please don't hesitate to give me a call on my direct line 0113 826 2229 if you have any more immediate feedback.

Many thanks
John

John Evans
Superintendent Pharmacist
Asda Stores
Direct Dial: 0113 826 2229
Mobile: 07779 700 112
Fax : 0113 335 0359

[johnep]

John gets my vote for top Superintendent.
johnep

[Defblade]

Actually, thanks to John's posts in another thread, Asda is the one multiple/supermarket group I keep an eye on their "situations vacant" website.

So another vote for best SI This attitude is very rare and refreshing, despite it being such an obvious win-win.

(PS Anything coming up in Llanelli, John? ).

[john evans]

Hi Defblade, sorry nothing in Llanelli. we have already got two really good pharmacists there.

Just had a look and in fact we have no vacancies in any of our pharmacies in South Wales - all of them have 2 or more pharmacists in each

[Defblade]

Hi Defblade, sorry nothing in Llanelli. we have already got two really good pharmacists there.

Just had a look and in fact we have no vacancies in any of our pharmacies in South Wales - all of them have 2 or more pharmacists in each

Thought as much, as there's never anything on the website. Thanks for taking the time to look.

Anyhow, high pharmacist retention is another good sign of Asda being good to work for, so I'll keep my eyes open

[Rafael]

Hello John
thanks for joining this forum, its nice to see a superintendent pharmacist trying to connect with his employee/self employed locums.
i am actually wondering how does asda book their locums? i am saying that since i registered with the locum database, and within 20 miles from my address, i could see 3 full time pharmacist jobs advertised on the website, but again i never been contacted to do any locum work for asda.
does each branch has a manager who directly book the locums? or is there a locum co-coordinator?
btw i am referring to humberside area
regards

[john evans]

Hi Rafael
This is how it works.

Once a locum applies to go on the Asda database, they are checked against the GPhC register to ensure that they are 'real pharmacists'

Within 24 hours their details go live for stores to see.

Pharmacies have responsibility to book their own locums and they will normally book those that they know and trust. Stores are asked to plan their pharmacist cover at least 3 months in advance. If they do not have a locum they will go on to the database and enter the details of the slot that they need filling and select the locums that they want e mails or texts sent to. When locums respond, the stores choose who to book and confirm the booking. Its a pretty neat system, makes it easier for the pharmacists and has significantly reduced our dependency on agencies.

We have four pharmacies in Hull so probably the best way to get your foot in the door is to call them and say that you are available, get a good reputation with them and they'll keep on using you. Their numbers should be on line on Online Grocery Shopping, ASDA Direct, George and more at Asda.com under store locator.

let me know if you need anything else

cheers
John

[byepharmacy]

Hi Rafael
This is how it works.

Pharmacies have responsibility to book their own locums and they will normally book those that they know and trust. Stores are asked to plan their pharmacist cover at least 3 months in advance.

cheers
John

Hmmmm, really?

I used to do quite a few days in an Asda pharmacy, and was well liked with the staff and patients - yes i did that many i even knew some names, not just the methadones - though when the new manager started he cancelled a load of my shifts and filled them with his newly qualified mates and an Asian hottie who just happened to pop into the pharmacy one day.

So, quality doesn't really count for much with Asda locums, just look good, have the right friends and buy plenty of biscuits - trumps qualifications and experience every time.

[johnep]

Nepotism will always rear its head. I am sure that if you were the manager, you would favour your uni friends and even a good looking member of the opps sex. After all, many pharmacists married to each other, and this would be a way of getting aquainted. Common in all walks of life.
I don't suppose you would refuse a job on the grounds that you were blocking some on else. The meak do not inherit the earth in business.
johnep

[byepharmacy]

Nepotism will always rear its head. I am sure that if you were the manager, you would favour your uni friends and even a good looking member of the opps sex. After all, many pharmacists married to each other, and this would be a way of getting aquainted. Common in all walks of life.
I don't suppose you would refuse a job on the grounds that you were blocking some on else. The meak do not inherit the earth in business.
johnep

If i was better qualified and experienced i would expect to get the job. In any other walk of life to loose out on work due to personal preference or gender is something called discrimination - i think.....i'm sure i've heard that word before? Maybe it only applies in american Tv shows.

I assume your pharmacy is staffed with supermodels who don't have a technicians course between them where patient eye candy not safety is paramount?