First Week

[cougar]

What were your first weeks like?

I'm the new manager of a store that has run off locums for years.

I was given an induction folder to go through and double cover/ sponsor pharmacist for a week. I prioritised the sections that I thought essential that basically covered using the computer, stock control, reports etc. and left the health and safety part with the accompanying videos for the next few weeks. I'm new to Pharmacy Manager and find it in some ways better than Link but overall not as easy to use and not as speedy. The Medicines database however is excellent as it means I can print off PILs when I need them.

I spent ages trying to get through to the PCT to get smart card which will happen in the next few weeks.

My first prescription was a methadone SF script and it felt great finally being able to do the final check - then I felt guilty that I haven't quite completed the CPPE addiction unit. I'll leave that to this weekend.

My staff seem great. One dispenser has worked for the pharmacy for a good few years and seems up on all the management reports which is good as I'm still finding my feet. I have one doing a dispensing course who seems keen and is mastering the Pharmacy Manager. These two make things alot easier for me as they are keen and eager to help.
My third member of staff has worked few a few different company name changes and refused to do the dispensing course and is only really couter staff. All three have great product knowledge and know when to refer. I have the bulk of the rxs in the morning so I have switched shifts already. The two dispensers work morning shifts and the counter assistant in the afternoon. I only have 8 staff hours a day so it was essential to change the shift patterns for me to meet peak demand. It caused a bit of grief with the counter assistant who is only starting to speak to me again.

I know I only do 150 items a day but when you have a 'herbalist chain shop' close by recommending 'stoopid' pills it seems quite a lot as I basically do most of the dispensing and a lot of checking.

An example of the 'herbalist chain'annoying me is - recommend para-amino benzoic acid, willow tree extract, copper, bulking agents and L-tyrosine because she was going on holiday and wanted to tan! (What??) to a patient who has just had a stroke, has pernicious anaemia and takes a multivitamin and multimineral. I only had a copy of her repeat prescription info and the patient to rely on on making the decisions. I was a bit shocked at H+B. Do they not get any training? At least they referred! but the list they gave her had no quantities, strengths and form.

PABA is vitamin B which would be in her multivitamin, she was receiving B12 for the anaemia anyway and the multivitamin would contain some. Willow bark extract is a no with a stroke as it could affect platelet activity. The patient was on Movicol so why the bulking agents? I recc'd she should go to her doctor for a review as she wouldn't really believe me that 'herbs' may not be safe in her condition. She wasn't even a regular patient of ours so I really had incomplete info - nothing on the PMR and she only gave me half of her repeat slip so I couldn't see what meds she was on. I just hope she had the sense to see her doctor.

The afternoons are usually quieter so thats when I'll do MURs. Oh yeah, I need accreditation - the contract I ahve says I have 18 weeks to do a course. lol. I'm doing it this weekend. Is the CPPE course easy?? Is it just a test or is there any preparatory info?

Anyway I ended the day dispensing a 20 item prescription (nightmare clincial check), 2 over 10 and one where all the bandages needed ordering. That's about 1/3 of the working day dispensed in 40min.

I feel like I'm struggling abit as I didn't get to put the order away yet and filing the invoices is a pain. I'm just concentrating on the important things e.g. the CD register.

My sponsor pharmacist convinced me to rearrang the entire dispensery. I have completed 5 drawers but now the stock I've taken out of the drawers whilst i've arranged them are defo not in alphabetical order. I'm thinking of changing it back as I don't have the time yet to change it all around.

I feel like I've got a lot on my plate and don't want to struggle with it.

SOrry for complaining it feels better to offload

[Zoggite]

Cougar, I'd give a lot of money to see your face in a year's time when you read back this account of your first week in the new job!

[johnep]

PABA not a vitamin in the true sense but an essential nutrient for some bacteria. We used to use PABA broth. Suphonamides block its action. Something conjured up from my memory of microbiology 55 years ago. Have I got it right.?
johnep

[LLUK77]

Hi Cougar - a written account like yours will definately help you. My first week was ok - but I knew how to access management reports and knew how to use the computer system.

My advice would be to observe - intensely. Only change things that need urgently changing - eg CD book , poor staff planning etc. Once you are used to things, then You can start to mould things to your 'way'. Get to know the 'characters' of those you work with and how they need to be handled ( some need to be told sternly - others need to be guided and encouraged) Delegation will be really important - and it is a difficult skill to master. Remember that you cannot do everything yourself - even though many people will tell you that it is all down to you!

My problem when I started was that people I worked with would shirk away from responsibility - or would pretend that they didn't know how to do certain things. Hence my advice - observe....

I went into my first role wanting to change stuff etc - it was well intended and was probably my excitement at being given a management position straight out of pre reg - and my desire to impress. As a result, I prob didn't make the best first impression since the staff were nervous about the new "boss". I definately changed my approach for my second postion.

so I would say - make a plan - things that need immediate action, things that are necessary but not urgent and things that can wait and are not mission critical.

[DavidS]

I was a bit shocked at H+B. Do they not get any training? At least they referred! but the list they gave her had no quantities, strengths and form.

At one point the local H and B was referring so many customers to us that we managed to get staff discount there.

I think that this is H&B policy, to push patient queries to chemists but to retain the business, and for the life of me I don't know why independents don't sell more of this stuff themselves, keeping the business for themselves. Its good high profit stuff, and really there are only about 20 lines that would need to be kept. There is a killing to be made for someone to take this on, wrap it up and market it with displays etc.

[LLUK77]

I had this problem with H&B - I think it is irresponsible to sell the things they do with no expertise at all. I was harassed by approx 30 H&B customers in a day at one point. Surely they should have expert opinion 'in-house'.

[johnep]

Well they did advertise 'go for the price, stay for the advice'. Misrepresentation comes to mind.
johnep

[JPtech]

My wife once worked for H&B many moons ago and my have i heard some real horror stories! Of course things may have changed but it sounds unlikely

[Pharmanaut]

My wife once worked for H&B many moons ago and my have i heard some real horror stories! Of course things may have changed but it sounds unlikely

Use the advance patient records features on Pharmacy Manager to record advice given about H&B supplied medications, just in case anything happens.
It seems most of the public believe that H&B products can't possibly harm you as they are 'natural'.

[dizzyb23]

Get to know the 'characters' of those you work with and how they need to be handled ( some need to be told sternly - others need to be guided and encouraged) Delegation will be really important - and it is a difficult skill to master..

Delegation is the key to an easier life for you. Most support staff will be over the moon to help you and take tasks on. Figure out which members of your team will help out without sulking.