Saturday locums?

[pharmer7]

I recently underwent a locum in Superdrug (first time I did a Saturday), and just need to get some opinions before I take anymore. Is it a prerequisite for Saturday staff to be untrained airhead schoolkids who stand about all day and gossip? Sorry for offending, but this was ridiculous yesterday. Any question I had was answered with "dunno", could not even find the responsible pharmacist book to sign, or any other things which were needed for daily tasks. It was left to myself to find everything. Also, was told to do some "LighterLife" consultations, even though was not warned in advance and they didn't even know where the book was to read up on it. Eventually found it myself though, but had limited time to read as people were waiting. Thankfully, it was not that busy otherwise it would really have been a nightmare.

[johnep]

I turned up first time in a SD branch in Letchworth. Greeted by two Saturday girls who brightly told me that that was their first day. I managed to get the manager to show them how to use the till and fortunately we were not busy. Lay out of SD health counters much the same and we were able to find most things. It transpired that the experienced member of staff supposed to be there had 'phoned in sick.
Has also happened to me in a Moss store.
Cannot understand why student members of this forum have such difficulty getting placements or Saturday work. Getting staff in on a Saturday seems to be a perennial problem and I would have thought that enthusiastic students would be far better than school kids.
johnep

[tinx25388]

Cannot understand why student members of this forum have such difficulty getting placements or Saturday work. Getting staff in on a Saturday seems to be a perennial problem and I would have thought that enthusiastic students would be far better than school kids.
johnep

Hate to say it, but if they're anything like where I work, you can pay a 16 year old with no relevant qualifications less than someone who has some relevant training. I soon noticed that once I had passed my Counter Assistants course and turned 18, extra-duty during college holidays soon became a thing of the past, and not by my choosing!

[johnep]

I have heard of pharmacies where 16-18 judged to be a trial period, as soon as turn 18, told not suitable and dismissed in favour of another 16 year old.
johnep

[Defblade]

When I decided my locuming working week was too long, I dropped Saturdays like a hot stone.

I still don't do them, except as part of a week's cover for an independent (when I'm locuming - currently relief and not doing Saturdays!).

No trained staff
No stock
No promised/expected scripts
No notes
No idea what happened the rest of the week
No change in the till
No legal CD Rxs
No GPs contactable

[culchie82]

When I decided my locuming working week was too long, I dropped Saturdays like a hot stone.

I still don't do them, except as part of a week's cover for an independent (when I'm locuming - currently relief and not doing Saturdays!).

No trained staff
No stock
No promised/expected scripts
No notes
No idea what happened the rest of the week
No change in the till
No legal CD Rxs
No GPs contactable

Nail on the head Defblade. That's exactly why I gave up Saturdays as well. Somehow it's better to be working in a script factory during the week, with plenty of staff who know what they're doing and where everything is, than stuck on your own on a Sat doing a fraction of the scripts but not a sinner in sight to ask if you can't locate something.

[DavidS]

Somehow it's better to be working in a script factory during the week, with plenty of staff who know what they're doing and where everything is, than stuck on your own on a Sat doing a fraction of the scripts

well call me perverse but I have always likes the different atmosphere that prevails on Saturdays. I'd work Sundays as well but I'm afraid that would cause marital strife.

I like it nice and relaxed, with the script factory element totally missing, and I often spend the Saturday premium I get on some much appreciated snack for the saturday girls.

On Bank Holiday weekends I will often wear casual attire as well.

[hibernia]

well call me perverse but I have always likes the different atmosphere that prevails on Saturdays.

I'm equally perverse in liking working Saturdays, although it can mess up your social and family life.

I enjoy not having to contact prescribers, because they aren't there. You can actually use professional judgement for a change.

[Pharmanaut]

well call me perverse but I have always likes the different atmosphere that prevails on Saturdays. I'd work Sundays as well but I'm afraid that would cause marital strife.

I like it nice and relaxed, with the script factory element totally missing, and I often spend the Saturday premium I get on some much appreciated snack for the saturday girls.

On Bank Holiday weekends I will often wear casual attire as well.

Experience does help to deal with the things that get thrown at you on saturdays.
Plan for last part of my career is to work unsociable hours sat/sun and have the rest of the week off.
One the mortgage is paid off.

[johnep]

Exactly what I have done during last years of working retirement. Have also done Sunday Rotas where occasionally something interesting turns up, but usually busy if do one script. A nice drive, opportunity to read C&D etc and do a bit of shopping, then home for lunch.
johnep