I'm a trainee pharmacist who spoke up about my concerns at the pharmacy I did my training in and I believe they penalised me for it. There was too many patients and only one pharmacist on duty from 9am to 8pm. Was asked by a senior member of staff to drive to a patient's home to chase up £30 for a prescription I accidentally undercharged her for during a particularly busy day. I raised my concerns about confidentiality and refused. I paid the money out of my own pocket but the said senior member of staff forced my supervisor not to sign me off because I "disobeyed him". Could have taken my case to tribunal but decided not to as this could take years. The community pharmacists I have worked with are pushed to work outside their contracted hours and have often taken out their frustration on me and other members of staff. I feel I need to move profession but my parents are pressuring me to chase the paycheck. Thank you for this video, it is good to hear advice from someone who has worked in the profession and understands.
Hi Gaby, so sorry to hear that you’re going through this. Would you mind if I made a video in response to your comment? It is a comment loaded with quite a few dilemmas that I would like to discuss. Xx
Hi Gabby, I’m a fresh graduate but every single word of you relates to me. My tutor did same, one particular incident when she asked me to purchase a £5 GSL item which was ordered extra and I tried to return it but it was too late and my tutor spotted it and literally tortured me for good 2,3 days to buy it although it could’ve keep in the shop or given on a prescription but she chose to use it to satisfy her ego, I’m not like you, I didn’t agreed to pay from my pocket and that’s what frustrated her more and she kept carry on for 2,3 days. There are many such incidents I faced during 4 months and she threatened me not to sign off but at the end she delayed my sign off for 1.5 months and I got my first sign off at 4.5 month rather than 3. So, as soon as I got my sign off I found another pharmacy to carry on my training. I can never forget my pre-reg year.
I left the profession in the United States back in 2000-best decision I ever made; now I teach at the college level-few people realize how miserable an experience it can be! Best of luck to you!
I’m a pharmacy technician and I’m stressed to the max, but I can imagine what a manager goes through. We’re very understaffed where I work and I end up doing other tasks including my own and by the end of the day I’m exhausted. The only thing I care about is eating and going to sleep, just to wake up and do it all again. I’m currently looking for more closed door or work from home opportunities because I can’t deal with community health anymore, especially in an area where they don’t give a care about you. I LOVE pharmacy. Just not the situation I’m in currently.
Hi Aly! Thank you for your comment, Your job sounds so mentally and physically draining ! I hope you do find a job that helps you to circle back to your love for pharmacy because it’s tough out here for lots of people!
I’m a medical technologist in South Africa, you’re literally describing my work place… the toxicity…my gosh. This video is really encouraging me to leave. Thank you.
Hi Zimasa, thank you for your comment, i’m glad you stumbled on this video. It sucks that some work places are so toxic! If you really cant get the changes that make the work environment feel conducive for you, then do consider leaving once you find an alternative. Wishing you all the best!
Thank you for the video. I feel that you worked for the company I've been working for 2 yrs. The only difference is me being 'just' a pharmacist, not a manager. After changing the area and seeing how different stores work, I feel that I don't fit or have too much expectations from them or they from me. I noticed that leaving a pharmacists for 2.5-4 hrs during 10hr shifts alone (no dispensers/no support at all) has became a new norm. 😢 There are very busy pharmacies and I found myself close to burnout. I reduced my hours first...and after short time definitely stopped enjoying it, started complaining and being upset every time I need to go to work. And the same...3 monts to say goodbye...I'll probably take a sick leave to cover this time. I want to leave due to enormous stress. Just self-checking for 4hrs in a very busy environment might hurt somebody one day and feeling that I risk my licence every day is not worth of any money.
I would encourage you to leave for your mental health and the sake of your patients lives. Sounds like we have worked with the same company haha! All the best once you leave, it’s not worth the money, and there are more balanced jobs out there for you!
I did my pre-reg in a community pharmacy. Worked as a Pharmacist for 1 year and left to become a Software Engineer. I'm just happy that I can have convenient toilet breaks and don't get abused by patients now!😅
Thank you for sharing your experience. This is incredibly accurate and relatable. I’m going into year 30 as a retail pharmacist and the profession has been stripped of autonomy and we’re in a position of no leverage at this point. Cheers! ❤
Thank you for your comment! Its amazing how things have gradually changed for the worse in the climate of practicing in retail. I still do hold out hope that we can make a difference!
Why is that working conditions in literally every sector have gone so much worse? Professionals leaving their jobs after sacrificing years of training is big hint that employers need to do better.
Omg at 5:40, I did the exact same mistake. Asked them how many staff they were, and they gave me a good number. And on the day of my interview, the pharmacy was actually sufficiently staffed. However when I started most of the pharmacists I had met during the interview were suddenly working at other pharmacies, so I was essentially doing the work of 3-4 people. I also ended up working with mostly unqualified staff which made things more draining. Ended up quitting in the end as the workload was just too much.
Being a pharmacy manager is not worth the extra stress and chump change you get for it. Also, you are always the point person to blame for problems caused by corporate. Corporate is NOT culpable for anything especially in retail pharmacy. They will through you under the bus in a heartbeat.
You have survived a vertical learning curve. Sadly, in my lifetime of experience, we, as healthcare workers are thrown into the deep end and expected to sink or swim. You were able to get out of the pool and catch your breath. Wishing you the best. You needed at least twice the staff to perform the responsibilities asked. Your red flags are not just red, they are FLASHING red with sirens. GJBrownDO 11/9/2023
Thank you for this comment! Its so refreshing when we can understand each other’s struggles. I do hope we come to a point of finding long lasting solutions to these systemic problems soon!
Over the years I have watched the pendulum swing. We in health care need too support our patients and each other and remember our motivation for choosing our vocation. When we remembered that calling we came to gather in strength. Health care NOW!@@faiththepharmacist
Im grateful that there are alternative opportunities opening up here and there. Community Pharmacy is not for all pharmacists mahn! I left too, though I still locum, but I’m glad I left!
Hi! I just want to ask about the working hours for pharmacists in the UK? Is there a good work life balance? I'm looking for a job that offers 40hrs/week at least. Or less if that's available haha
Hi, you can have a good work life balance, I currently work 37.5hours per week and for most community pharmacies it’s 40hours per week. You can also work part time if you desire.
Hello Faith, thank you for all you do Kindly advise someone like me.who isn't interested in practicing Pharmacy; is Epidemiology or Public health a big deal there in the UK?
sorry to hear about your bad experience, can you please give some advices about how to get visa sponsorship? I will start the ospap course but I'm afraid that at the end I won't find the sponsor offer and all that hard work and money will go to waste
Pharmacists are in demand so as long as you search really “hard to fill” areas i.e. the outskirts of the UK where there is less competition, you have a really good chance of getting sponsorship. Places like Cornwall etc
You'll definitely get, u can check indeed or other job sites there are so many vacancies with Tier 2 sponsorship available. Also, even before pharmacy was put in the list, there's no pharmacy I know of who did Ospap and didnt land a job.
I have, it is not ideal for me personally, I am currently working in a hospital though but as an intermediate care pharmacist. I explained this in one of my previous videos.
I'm a trainee pharmacist who spoke up about my concerns at the pharmacy I did my training in and I believe they penalised me for it. There was too many patients and only one pharmacist on duty from 9am to 8pm. Was asked by a senior member of staff to drive to a patient's home to chase up £30 for a prescription I accidentally undercharged her for during a particularly busy day. I raised my concerns about confidentiality and refused. I paid the money out of my own pocket but the said senior member of staff forced my supervisor not to sign me off because I "disobeyed him". Could have taken my case to tribunal but decided not to as this could take years. The community pharmacists I have worked with are pushed to work outside their contracted hours and have often taken out their frustration on me and other members of staff. I feel I need to move profession but my parents are pressuring me to chase the paycheck. Thank you for this video, it is good to hear advice from someone who has worked in the profession and understands.
Hi Gaby, so sorry to hear that you’re going through this. Would you mind if I made a video in response to your comment? It is a comment loaded with quite a few dilemmas that I would like to discuss. Xx
Hi Gabby, I’m a fresh graduate but every single word of you relates to me. My tutor did same, one particular incident when she asked me to purchase a £5 GSL item which was ordered extra and I tried to return it but it was too late and my tutor spotted it and literally tortured me for good 2,3 days to buy it although it could’ve keep in the shop or given on a prescription but she chose to use it to satisfy her ego, I’m not like you, I didn’t agreed to pay from my pocket and that’s what frustrated her more and she kept carry on for 2,3 days. There are many such incidents I faced during 4 months and she threatened me not to sign off but at the end she delayed my sign off for 1.5 months and I got my first sign off at 4.5 month rather than 3. So, as soon as I got my sign off I found another pharmacy to carry on my training. I can never forget my pre-reg year.
@@faiththepharmacist wow, thank you for your reply, that would be amazing xx😊
@@sidrakanwal2637 thank you for your reply! It's a shame people take advantage of pre reg students like that
I left the profession in the United States back in 2000-best decision I ever made; now I teach at the college level-few people realize how miserable an experience it can be! Best of luck to you!
Sometimes Pharmacy is just not the right job, i’m so glad you found another career that suits you better. Best of luck to you too Paolo!
I’m a pharmacy technician and I’m stressed to the max, but I can imagine what a manager goes through. We’re very understaffed where I work and I end up doing other tasks including my own and by the end of the day I’m exhausted. The only thing I care about is eating and going to sleep, just to wake up and do it all again. I’m currently looking for more closed door or work from home opportunities because I can’t deal with community health anymore, especially in an area where they don’t give a care about you. I LOVE pharmacy. Just not the situation I’m in currently.
Hi Aly! Thank you for your comment,
Your job sounds so mentally and physically draining
! I hope you do find a job that helps you to circle back to your love for pharmacy because it’s tough out here for lots of people!
I’m a medical technologist in South Africa, you’re literally describing my work place… the toxicity…my gosh. This video is really encouraging me to leave. Thank you.
Hi Zimasa, thank you for your comment, i’m glad you stumbled on this video.
It sucks that some work places are so toxic!
If you really cant get the changes that make the work environment feel conducive for you, then do consider leaving once you find an alternative.
Wishing you all the best!
Thank you for the video. I feel that you worked for the company I've been working for 2 yrs. The only difference is me being 'just' a pharmacist, not a manager. After changing the area and seeing how different stores work, I feel that I don't fit or have too much expectations from them or they from me. I noticed that leaving a pharmacists for 2.5-4 hrs during 10hr shifts alone (no dispensers/no support at all) has became a new norm. 😢 There are very busy pharmacies and I found myself close to burnout. I reduced my hours first...and after short time definitely stopped enjoying it, started complaining and being upset every time I need to go to work. And the same...3 monts to say goodbye...I'll probably take a sick leave to cover this time.
I want to leave due to enormous stress. Just self-checking for 4hrs in a very busy environment might hurt somebody one day and feeling that I risk my licence every day is not worth of any money.
I would encourage you to leave for your mental health and the sake of your patients lives.
Sounds like we have worked with the same company haha!
All the best once you leave, it’s not worth the money, and there are more balanced jobs out there for you!
I did my pre-reg in a community pharmacy. Worked as a Pharmacist for 1 year and left to become a Software Engineer. I'm just happy that I can have convenient toilet breaks and don't get abused by patients now!😅
Hi, did you have to go back to uni for that?
Thank you for sharing your experience. This is incredibly accurate and relatable. I’m going into year 30 as a retail pharmacist and the profession has been stripped of autonomy and we’re in a position of no leverage at this point. Cheers! ❤
Thank you for your comment! Its amazing how things have gradually changed for the worse in the climate of practicing in retail.
I still do hold out hope that we can make a difference!
Why is that working conditions in literally every sector have gone so much worse? Professionals leaving their jobs after sacrificing years of training is big hint that employers need to do better.
Omg at 5:40, I did the exact same mistake. Asked them how many staff they were, and they gave me a good number. And on the day of my interview, the pharmacy was actually sufficiently staffed. However when I started most of the pharmacists I had met during the interview were suddenly working at other pharmacies, so I was essentially doing the work of 3-4 people. I also ended up working with mostly unqualified staff which made things more draining. Ended up quitting in the end as the workload was just too much.
Being a pharmacy manager is not worth the extra stress and chump change you get for it. Also, you are always the point person to blame for problems caused by corporate. Corporate is NOT culpable for anything especially in retail pharmacy. They will through you under the bus in a heartbeat.
In a nutshell! 👏🏽
You have survived a vertical learning curve. Sadly, in my lifetime of experience, we, as healthcare workers are thrown into the deep end and expected to sink or swim. You were able to get out of the pool and catch your breath. Wishing you the best. You needed at least twice the staff to perform the responsibilities asked. Your red flags are not just red, they are FLASHING red with sirens. GJBrownDO 11/9/2023
Thank you for this comment!
Its so refreshing when we can understand each other’s struggles. I do hope we come to a point of finding long lasting solutions to these systemic problems soon!
Over the years I have watched the pendulum swing. We in health care need too support our patients and each other and remember our motivation for choosing our vocation. When we remembered that calling we came to gather in strength. Health care NOW!@@faiththepharmacist
Thank you for sharing your experience. I quit last year and was thinking of returning but i think I’ll focus on my career in tech 😅
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Thank you hun💕
Welcome back 🤗🤗
Thank you babe🤗🤎
Left community for primary care last year and I have not looked back
Im grateful that there are alternative opportunities opening up here and there. Community Pharmacy is not for all pharmacists mahn! I left too, though I still locum, but I’m glad I left!
I love these - keep it up 👍🏼
Thank you 💕
This was really helpful. Thanks. ❤
Interesting! Thanks for sharing this.
Hi! I just want to ask about the working hours for pharmacists in the UK? Is there a good work life balance? I'm looking for a job that offers 40hrs/week at least. Or less if that's available haha
Hi, you can have a good work life balance, I currently work 37.5hours per week and for most community pharmacies it’s 40hours per week. You can also work part time if you desire.
Hello Faith, thank you for all you do
Kindly advise someone like me.who isn't interested in practicing Pharmacy; is Epidemiology or Public health a big deal there in the UK?
Hi Blessing, unfortunately I have not come accross anybody that practices either of these two careers so I would not be able to advise
sorry to hear about your bad experience, can you please give some advices about how to get visa sponsorship? I will start the ospap course but I'm afraid that at the end I won't find the sponsor offer and all that hard work and money will go to waste
Pharmacists are in demand so as long as you search really “hard to fill” areas i.e. the outskirts of the UK where there is less competition, you have a really good chance of getting sponsorship.
Places like Cornwall etc
@@faiththepharmacist thanks your videos always motivate me, keep up the good work 🙏
You'll definitely get, u can check indeed or other job sites there are so many vacancies with Tier 2 sponsorship available. Also, even before pharmacy was put in the list, there's no pharmacy I know of who did Ospap and didnt land a job.
@@stacyuviasah3090 Thank you!, that was my only concern for now I hope everything goes well.
Have you ever considered going to the hospital sector? Thanks
I have, it is not ideal for me personally, I am currently working in a hospital though but as an intermediate care pharmacist. I explained this in one of my previous videos.
@@faiththepharmacist is it cos of the on calls u probably don't like hospitals or the low pay😊
Thanks so much, for the info. How long is the probation period?
Thanks for your comment, probation is usually 3-6months