Staffing levels

[Raju]

Hi,

Just wanted to compare the staffing levels of the pharmacy where I work compared with community pharmacy generally. I thought it'd be useful for pharmacists to know the kind of range of conditions that people work in.

Where I do most of my work, in an average 9.5 hour day:

- We do about 300 NHS items per 9.5 hour day, 2-3 private scripts, about 10 minor ailments scheme consultations, 1 MUR, 5 addict supervisions, 3 smoking cessation consultations and about 800 pounds of counter sales

(Basically pretty average community pharmacy)

Normally we have four people working at the pharmacy in one half of a day, and five people in another half of a day (including pharmacist).

We cope OK most of the time in keeping the pharmacy running smoothly, BUT when something happens like a misplaced script, potential dispensing error, CD balance issues, PCT paperwork, submission of PPD batch and (most commonly) carrying out interventions when a doctor has prescribed something dodgy, the staff level feels inadequate and everything is very strained and stressful. (I think this is more because of the quality of staff rather than the quantity, as none of them are qualified to NVQ level 3 yet).

What are your staffing levels, and do you think your staffing levels are adequate?

[jaymags]

Careful, there are a few dispensers on here that would beg to differ with you. I only have an NVQ2 but this does NOT mean I lack quality.
There are days when we all have to work that bit harder than others, you just have to learn to take the rough with the smooth.

[Chirpy]

I get 200 staff hours to cover a 90 hour store. Does approx 2000 script items/week with front counter £3000/week. Front counter is mainly P sales - we sell a lot of GSL meds as well but they get reported to a different department (who get the money added onto their staffing hours!!). I guess similar to Raju.
I'd be interested to know what staffing levels are like eleswhere because I'm exhausted but I'm being told that I have enough staff.

[Jeff]

I'd be interested to know what staffing levels are like eleswhere because I'm exhausted but I'm being told that I have enough staff.

Who is telling you that you have enough staff?
1.Join the PDA.
2.Check with them before reading any further
3. Put you concerns about staffing levels in writing - addressed to both your line manager and the superintendent pharmacist.
4.Keep a copy.

Jeff

[johnep]

Trouble is, staffing levels never take any notice of illness or holiday.
johnep

[Chirpy]

I had been 'allowed' to recruit above this for holidays/sickness so 200 is an average actual hours used. I am at risk having staff taken off me to work elsewhere if I go over this, but by being draconian about holidays we actually we hit 200ish when you take these into account

[imaginegenerous]

We do about 2500 items per week, based on a 10 hour day Mon-Fri and 4 hours Saturday AM. Aim to do 1 MUR a day where possible, only have three addicts and none supervised at the moment. Do EHC and chlamydia testing under a PGD but varies a lot on how many we actually do. We have 5 staff on until 1pm including me then 3 inc me over 1-2pm, then four for the rest of the day when fully staffed. If there's sickness or holiday, we're allowed to cover a maximum of 2/3 of the hours worked by the ill/holidaying staff member.

[imaginegenerous]

Should have put there are usually 2 dispensers AM and 2 PM. Two technicians in morning and 2 NVQ2 in afternoon, one of whom is good at dispensing but lacks confidence with the computer system so perhaps a little slower than I would like but just needs more practice so she'll get there

[womble]

Currently we do 6000 items per month. We are open basically 9 hours Mon-Fri and 4 hours on a Saturday. Generally 2 shop staff in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Dispensary wise 1 pharmacist, and the equivalent of 1 dispenser for the majority of the time (none on a Saturday or for 2 hours each day due to lunch and finishing time) One dispenser is average, and the other frequently forgets to engage brain in the morning and has only one gear that functions!!
It would be good to have a guideline on minimum staff levels, but as I have indicated above just having the right number of staff doesnt necessarily mean they can do much.
Yup tough day today if you hadnt guessed

[trundles]

We dispense around 10500 items a week, we have 2 pharmacists, 2 ACTs and 8 full time and 2 part time dispensers working 7.5 hour days, its non stop and not very healthy or safe in my opinion