New Pharmacist

[ash19feen]

Hi every1! I am a newly qualified pharmacist. I completed my pre-reg year in a hospital pharmacy. However, I now want to work in the community. I was thinking of starting to locum (while i am looking for a permanent job). However, I havent had much experience in the community. Do u think its risky starting to locum at this stage?
Thanks

[Steve G]

Hi,

congrats on registering - was it just me or was the exam pretty straightforward?

I would advise that before locuming you gain some experience in community, by working with someone for a week or so at a reduced rate (or for free if need be). Community pharmacy is very different to hospital pharmacy; no substituting, dealing with MDS, responding to patient's symptoms, supplying EHC, doing MURs, dealing with methadone and subutex and so on. Also you are often isolated professionally as most of the time you'll be the only pharmacist in the pharmacy, so you need to know who you can call.

There's no reason you can't locum, just get some experience first.

[admin]

Hi,

congrats on registering - was it just me or was the exam pretty straightforward?

I would advise that before locuming you gain some experience in community, by working with someone for a week or so at a reduced rate (or for free if need be). Community pharmacy is very different to hospital pharmacy; no substituting, dealing with MDS, responding to patient's symptoms, supplying EHC, doing MURs, dealing with methadone and subutex and so on. Also you are often isolated professionally as most of the time you'll be the only pharmacist in the pharmacy, so you need to know who you can call.

There's no reason you can't locum, just get some experience first.

I agree with Steve has said, but I'd say you probably need longer. Why not take a job as a relief manager first, or work for a company before you go self employed?

[ash19feen]

new pharmacist

Thanks for ur advice

[admin]

Thanks for ur advice

No problem. Welcome to the forum - it's always nice to have a good mix of people, and that obviously includes you young uns!

I hope you can keep us old uns up to date on what we should know!

[jamishapatel]

Locuming in community

Hi ash19feen,
I am locuming in community. You can come and shadow me if you find it helpful. Let me know if you are interested and i will send you the details.
Hope this helps
Jamisha

[admin]

Hi ash19feen,
I am locuming in community. You can come and shadow me if you find it helpful. Let me know if you are interested and i will send you the details.
Hope this helps
Jamisha

Hello and welcome

I must say, that's a very nice offer Jamisha. It's great to see someone prepared to help another person who's starting out.

[ash19feen]

Thanks!

Hey. Thanks. I would love to.Thats very kind of you indeed.It would really help me. I'll private message u so that we can exchange our details. Thanks again