work

[Tony Schofield]

No not an unhealthy obsession, just you have seen fit to single me out for criticism when I have talked about a positive future indicating that I am in the minority. We have a contributor here who demonstrates that I am not.

Also, when people, not just yourself, keep referring to all models of future progress as based on the current, multiple dominated situation I have begged to differ. Dippsy is describing a medicines management service (as have I) which is completely divorced from working for a community pharmacy company.

There is a future outside of Lloyds and Boots.

[culchie82]

Completely agree Tony, could you imagine if Boots and Lloyds etc packed up and went home, we could all be Medicines Management Pharmacists then! Would certainly beat the grind of the dispensary!

[Tony Schofield]

It could be argued that if the big multiples packed up and went home dispensaries would be just as busy but perhaps less of a grind.

[dippsy]

Oh ... don't get me wrong here. Medicines management can be a pain in the *** a lot of the time. Medicines management has completely changed over the past 10 years or so. It is no longer a 'medicines management' service but a 'medicines cost saving' service. I do a lot of work at GP practices. It would be nice to perhaps focus on the patient once in a while instead of the savings part ad infinitum.

However, the thread here was about locum work and lack of it. If you want to survive in this type of market, the key is to diversify.

Community Pharmacy does have a future ... just not in it's present form. Most people are opting for the default position of locum / community pharmacist. Add more skills to your portfolio and you will not only survive, but excel. This is what will not only get you the work, but get people to phone you up and ask you to do work for them on a regular basis. It is a nice feeling to get that.

It does not have to be in medicines management. I have diversified into a number of other fields - not healthcare related. It is all about doing the same thing - look at what everybody else is doing and then do something different to them!

[andrew paxton]

I'm finding that work is drying up from early next year. Most of my regular posts are being filled by permanent (?) managers, and others by employed reliefs. In theory, I shouldn't mind, as that is what a locum is for - to fill the gaps - , but I like the work even more than the money. I'm considering temporarily joining the ranks of the employed reliefs, but I really don't want to. I don't want to fall out with the employers like I fell out with Lloyds.

[pharmer7]

Consider expanding your horizons and train for additional roles in pharmacy. You can make yourself more marketable .... and probably enjoy your week more with a bit of variety!!

Where would you advise us to start with regards to finding suitable training for other roles?

[johnep]

Still a shortage of science teachers. pharmacy would enable you cover physics, chemistry, biology and maths.
johnep

[andrew paxton]

That's not within Pharmacy

[johnep]

OK. look in Daily Telegraph today. Used to carry med Rep jobs on a Thursday. However, remember can combine pharmacy with other roles.
I taught in a school and yesterday I could have done a locum to cover those pharmacists having to stay home to look after children.
If you cannot get a job in pharmacy, then look elsewhere. Grooms had to change when cars replaced horses.
johnep