Super P$%^&* off at useless rude staff!

[jzd4rma]

I just thought I ought to share my experience at work today, I was stationed in a branch today, were the regular pharmacist apparently makes up methadone and subutex and the dispenser has no part, I had no problems with that so I made it up, but when I asked if the dispenser can just confirm the volume of methadone for me, she went off on a foul tirade, and I stood my ground saying I didnt do anything unreasonable, but I ignored the b%%^h the whole day because to quote her 'in all my nine years no pharmacist has ever asked me to check their work" and all i asked the stupid cow to check the volume, she did apologise to me, when I refused to talk to her, and gave her yes or no answer, showed no desire to acknowledge her, but I do hate staff like, that, can anyone confirm if they have had the misfortune to come across a bitch like that?

Yes or no,

[admin]

Hi

I've worked with unreasonable people lots of times, but to be honest I think ignoring her was unprofessional on your part. You do say she apologised to you in your post, so why then go on to ignore her?

I would have stood my ground, been assertive but not aggressive, and then carried on the day as normal. If there was a continuing atmosphere from her I'd have a word about being professional at work, and not acting child like.

Just my humble opinion of course............

[jzd4rma]

Hi

I've worked with unreasonable people lots of times, but to be honest I think ignoring her was unprofessional on your part. You do say she apologised to you in your post, so why then go on to ignore her?

I would have stood my ground, been assertive but not aggressive, and then carried on the day as normal. If there was a continuing atmosphere from her I'd have a word about being professional at work, and not acting child like.

Just my humble opinion of course............

Hi you are absolutely right, but she only apologised when I ignored her completely not before, and i ignored her not to be unprofessional but to focus on my work, because even when i explained her my reason she was so nasty so i just realised i will do my job and minimise any conversation, at any point (so i can avoid another conflict) i did not refuse to listen to her if it concerned the running of the pharmacy rather just any conversation, and can you blame me, i doubt anyone my position would have done the same!

[gmorris291]

When I first started to work in the dispensary, I was introduced to the staff. I was told in no uncertain terms, that if they told me to jump, I was to enquire "How high?". Respect to those who have more knowledge and experience is essential in any sphere of life. Throughout my whole life as a pharmacist, the driving force of the reason for being there was the safety of patients. There was no job that I would ask my staff to do that I would not do myself. I find it incredulous that one of the dispensing staff would have the brass neck to consider refusing your legitimate request to check a quantity of methadone or subutex.

Ignoring people is not acceptable either. You need to take this person to one side and explain why you would request a double check. In my experience, you will get far more out of your staff and have a much happier life in work if you tackle these problems head on. Respect is a two way street, explain that the way in which she acted was totally unprofessional and ask her the reason for her behaviour when patient safety is paramount in such circumstances.

If all else fails after the softly softly apporach, remind her that the next time she behaves in such a manner, you will have no choice other than to take the matter further.

[LeftArm]

I would be very surprised if the SOP's don't require a double check.

[Pharmanaut]

I would be very surprised if the SOP's don't require a double check.

Sounds like the dispenser had 'other issues' going on and just wanted to vent on someone.
Best when you go there again is to have a friendly word and give her some wriggle room to move on.
These things happen - both of you should be big enough to put it in the past.

[pharmer7]

I've put up with rude colleagues before as well. It is usually since they resent the fact that you're a locum and getting paid more, but it does not excuse some of their behaviour. A couple of stores I have been into, even though I had never been there before and it was first thing in the morning, I said good morning to some members of staff - they just looked for a second, blanked me and carried on with their conversation.

[jzd4rma]

When I first started to work in the dispensary, I was introduced to the staff. I was told in no uncertain terms, that if they told me to jump, I was to enquire "How high?". Respect to those who have more knowledge and experience is essential in any sphere of life. Throughout my whole life as a pharmacist, the driving force of the reason for being there was the safety of patients. There was no job that I would ask my staff to do that I would not do myself. I find it incredulous that one of the dispensing staff would have the brass neck to consider refusing your legitimate request to check a quantity of methadone or subutex.

Ignoring people is not acceptable either. You need to take this person to one side and explain why you would request a double check. In my experience, you will get far more out of your staff and have a much happier life in work if you tackle these problems head on. Respect is a two way street, explain that the way in which she acted was totally unprofessional and ask her the reason for her behaviour when patient safety is paramount in such circumstances.

If all else fails after the softly softly apporach, remind her that the next time she behaves in such a manner, you will have no choice other than to take the matter further.

Just to clarify the point i did not ignore her in work sense i just refused to speak to her anything about but work and, only when it was necessary considering how she behaved it was the best way to deal with her, because she went completely hysterical, so the only way i felt was best way to deal with her is to indicate to her that i wont talk to her unless it was about work. She has calmed down a'lot today so i would attribute it to my stance, we can all say i should have had word with her but when someone repeatedly threats to bring another 'pharmacist' and claim your were taught by bunch of 'fairies' i think its crossing the line and going beyond reason, and i could have hardly just went off and said im going to give the superintendent a call. I will try to let by gones be bygones!

But i take your point this is the first time i had a conflict with a staff (and i guess its going to be many) because i'm not going to do daft stuff the regular pharmacist does just to make there life easy and compromise the safety of patients. And I have learnt a'lot from this, particularly how to deal with people.

But everyone thanks for your input its nice to know people have had similar stand off!

[admin]

Hi you are absolutely right, but she only apologised when I ignored her completely not before, and i ignored her not to be unprofessional but to focus on my work, because even when i explained her my reason she was so nasty so i just realised i will do my job and minimise any conversation, at any point (so i can avoid another conflict) i did not refuse to listen to her if it concerned the running of the pharmacy rather just any conversation, and can you blame me, i doubt anyone my position would have done the same!

Fair enough, I wasn't trying to blame you or her, I was simply trying to give you a different perspective on the situation.

I've had many problems with difficult staff over the years, and I don't think I'm alone in that. Fortunately, I've had many more positive interactions with them. I believe each difficult situation you face makes you think how you could have done things differently, and through this process you learn and gain more experience.

In general it's better to avoid conflict if you can. Sometimes it cannot be avoided however, and some staff members really do resent your position. I think they see in you someone who has got themselves qualified and they don't like it. Others get inspired and make the most of their career, by being the best dispenser they can be, and completing their own education. We see on here a fantastic set of dispensers/technicians who help each other and are making the most of their own career.

The best people always try to learn from each experience, and look for the silver lining. You seem to be doing that and it's great to see. I'm sure next time you find yourself in a difficult situation you'll think about this one and will have more confidence in how to handle it.

[jzd4rma]

Fair enough, I wasn't trying to blame you or her, I was simply trying to give you a different perspective on the situation.

I've had many problems with difficult staff over the years, and I don't think I'm alone in that. Fortunately, I've had many more positive interactions with them. I believe each difficult situation you face makes you think how you could have done things differently, and through this process you learn and gain more experience.

In general it's better to avoid conflict if you can. Sometimes it cannot be avoided however, and some staff members really do resent your position. I think they see in you someone who has got themselves qualified and they don't like it. Others get inspired and make the most of their career, by being the best dispenser they can be, and completing their own education. We see on here a fantastic set of dispensers/technicians who help each other and are making the most of their own career.

The best people always try to learn from each experience, and look for the silver lining. You seem to be doing that and it's great to see. I'm sure next time you find yourself in a difficult situation you'll think about this one and will have more confidence in how to handle it.

Thank you i definitely have learnt a'lot on how to deal with such staff, also problem was compounded by the fact that they had dailys (methadone) who took a week supply and for the methadone you the pharmacist had to dispense the methadone in individual bottles yourself and check it, i had to do this for the last three days (luckily i not working there this week again), but in future im going to phone and check how many dailys they do, and whether the staff dispense it if that is not the case i guess i have to come early and prep the stuff up before the shop opens.

Unfortunately i am not a standard locum i am a Lloyds relief so in some instance i have very little independence but the good news is that I spoke to my area manager and having been really keen to do a diploma in community pharmacy he has agree to reduce my working hours to 31hours instead of 42.5 hours so i can do my diploma next year and not get completely worn out by lloyds!