Category Archives: General

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Pharmacists Abroad

When you live on the east coast in Canada, you come to expect that the weather in November starts to get chilly. Temperatures regularly tease with the freezing mark and the occasional snowfall get folks scampering for their winter tires after traffic reports fill up with snarls.

So some friends and family decided to bypass November and head for sunnier climes in Florida…and were hit with torrential rains and single digit temperatures (or state-side, ‘in the forties’). We brought the kids to a magical place which you may have heard about. I went to go meet some famous princesses, and begrudgingly agreed to bring the kids with me. Three of our group were pharmacists and try as we may, conversation often turned to pharmacy topics much to the chagrin of everyone else.

Pharmacists are a passionate bunch, to be sure. Although vent sessions prove popular on occasion, most of the conversation turned to the differences in pharmacy between countries and the many signs of progress we’ve seen in the past 5-7 years. Who would have thought that giving injections for flu or travel vaccines would be in such high demand? I was completely ignorant to this when I graduated and figured that the awareness and growth of this service would be organic, not the year over year explosion that we’ve seen. It’s the same with prescribing; it’s becoming much more intuitive for me today to explore my options when a patient arrives at the counter with an expired prescription or a hospital discharge ordering a non-formulary medication.

Some folks would never see a doctor if they could get away with it. Nurturing and maintaining that circle of care is still very important for monitoring and education. However, I do see inefficiency rear it’s ugly head in the form of one to three-month supplies with no refills for stable therapy that has gone unchanged for years. It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that people expect (and often demand) that we extend or re-new their prescriptions. The good news is that now in many instances, we can do just that. Taking on that prescribing liability is a huge adjustment, but as a group we’re warming up quickly to the idea. Contrast that potential liability with buying Prozac off the shelf in a Mexican airport terminal – no danger there of course.

So maybe pharmacy isn’t as magical as say, frozen castles and fireworks (though the apothecary on Main St. serves some magical-tasting sweets), but our ability to adapt in such a short transition period of 3-5 years is pretty impressive. We’re just getting started too: with integrated databases and future ability to request blood-work, some of that maintenance burden may be lifted from general practitioners. They can focus on diagnostics and problem-solving while allowing pharmacists to help screen and respond to T3 and INR values.

We will continue to be pharmacists in other lands. We will be curious to visit pharmacies in other countries and to see how their healthcare system works. What products are available for self-selection and which ones are prescription? Sometimes we see drugs that have not yet been approved in Canada, or an old standby that goes by an exotic name.

Have fun on vacation. Sometimes the time away from the ‘job’ can help rebuild the love for the ‘profession.’

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, employer or affiliation.

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Engagement of One

There are things in this world about which I hold strong opinions. Most often these are in the realms of personal development and group change. There needs to be an inherent trust between members of a team. It doesn’t matter how big the team is; two people in a partnership, or a global brand spread across continents all require a level of engagement to truly be effective at executing strategy. There has to be an emotional attachment to the mission and a shared satisfaction to reach a goal.

The most successful organizations understand that their greatest strength is their people. Taking that one step further, it’s the development of those people that set them apart. I could use a collection of cliched buzzwords here that have a tendency to say everything and nothing at the same time, but the gist is this: it’s one thing to have quality people in leadership roles to succeed today, but it’s another to have those same people prepared and inspired to take on tomorrow.

I am confident and proud to work for an employer that takes engagement seriously from the top down. They recognize the differences in learning styles between generations, and have an evaluation process that focuses on behaviors that contribute to the business, trusting that desired results will follow. I currently feel that I’m valued, and have mentors looking out for my best interests personally and professionally.

So how does one engage another person or group for a common goal? Job satisfaction means different things to different people, so one approach is to try and understand what motivates and rewards different groups.

A quick Google search brought me to this document discussing staff development from none other than the United Nations.

The link is a fairly easy read, but the content is nevertheless fascinating. The title is: ‘What Matters and How They Learn’ and breaks down the generation gaps in the workplace. I’ll let you have a skim and then we’ll continue the post. I’ll wait for you here…

(Interlude music)

So the groupings themselves: Baby Boomers, Gen X, and Gen Y comprise the vast majority of the current workforce. There are some Traditionalists, but their number is declining into retirement. By grouping generations in this way, commonalities emerge around the fault lines. For example, I fall near the tail end of the Gen X timeline, meaning that I may share a similar value set as a 50-year-old colleague with respect to being goal-oriented and self-reliant. At the same time, there are flickers of the Gen Y group that I recognize as well; when it comes to sociability and collective action, I completely embrace that culture in the workplace.

[As an aside, one of the distinctions between Gen X and Y as written in the document of Techno-literal vs. Tech-savvy. One needs step-by-step instructions and the other finds technology intuitive. If I was able to start a blog, but have no idea of any advanced features, does that make me advanced-techno-literal?]

So, we know the workplace is comprised of blended learning styles. Training should therefore contain elements that appeal to most workers. Gen X apparently respond well to graphics/design and brevity of training materials. Gen Y wants to learn when and where is comfortable, and being connected online is very important to them. The key is knowing the audience, and it takes a significant investment of time to learn how to relate to the individuals. Once that emotional attachment is established, you begin getting back more than you put in. You challenge one another and learn together. On a personal note, the occasions that I am wrong tend to be the most rewarding experiences in the end.

One final point I’d like to make is that there are many tools or devices being used for engagement, be it team-building exercises, group dinners or retreats, in-house competitions, monetary rewards, surveys or even one-on-one meetings. What tends to get missed is that engagement starts with people and ends with people; the tools are not the answer by themselves, nor do they have an endpoint. When used by someone who is already engaged, any strategy has a chance to reach others who may in turn, pay it forward by seeking to engage their other colleagues.

If you’re like me and truly engaged, that passion will keep you coming back for more, and you’ll have confidence that someone will always be waiting for you to challenge, learn and grow. Take advantage of that feeling and the opportunities that will present, just be ready to create those same feelings and opportunities for others when the time comes.

 

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, employer or affiliation.

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Honouring a Colleague

On these pages last September, I referred to the unfortunate passing of one of our own pharmacy community. Karen Zed was someone who has had an impact on my practice for my entire career. Working with the same company since before graduation, her visibility within the profession as a mentor and advocate was evident through her work with our Nova Scotia regulatory body as well as the Dalhousie College of Pharmacy.

My working relationship with Karen developed over the years. I worked first as a student, then as a relief pharmacist, before transitioning into management roles. With each step, I was reminded of the respect she commanded from her peers. We may not have always agreed with her opinions, but they carried weight and inspired healthy debate. Although I did not know her well on a personal level, it was obvious how much she thrived when precepting students, interns, or anyone with an interest in pharmacy. She was staunch in defending her practice site as a true ‘real-world’ experience; you learned by doing, by making mistakes and fixing them, all with an eye towards the patient above all else.

In the 10+ months since, I have been lucky enough to be appointed as secretary of our pharmacy alumni division at the university. With Karen being taken away so suddenly, there was an appetite to celebrate her contributions on a grander scale. That is why the Dalhousie College of Pharmacy Alumni Division (DUCPAD) is pleased to announce the annual Karen Zed Spirit of Community Pharmacy Award. This award recognizes students who share Karen’s passion for community pharmacy as both a place to learn and to provide caring support for those in need of our medication expertise.

Details on how to donate to the award fund may be found in the June 2014 issue of the DUCPAD Dispatch, or by following the link below:

http://alumniapps.dal.ca/giving/giving.php

Rest in peace Karen. May your spirit endure in the next generation of community pharmacists.

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, employer or affiliation.

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One Year in the Blink of an Eye

It’s a wee bit stormy out here on the east coast. Spring has decided to pack up and go to Florida to avoid 30cm of blizzard leftovers.

I’m in awe that 1) it has been a full year since I published my first post on PharmAspire titled ‘Inspiration‘ and 2) as my gender is not always known for remembering certain occasions, I have earned my gold star on this day.

It has been a banner year for personal and professional growth. Even from post #1 the tone and feel of the blog is exactly how I had originally envisioned it: a place to explore all of the positives in our lives as pharmacists in the words of those living it. Other places may serve to spotlight all of the crazy/annoying/mundane aspects of our profession and it’s often a good laugh, but at the end of the day, it keeps the mind trapped in all the things we dislike about what we do. At the very least, what can we take from those examples to illustrate what we have control over to improve the situation for the next time?

It was never meant to be all about me, and consequently, many of the experiences I’ve had over the past year have been shared with or inspired by others. A couple of other author-friends have taken a turn writing their own pieces, and they are certainly worth a read.

Reviewing some of the topics covered, we have delved into job satisfaction and handling ‘no-win’ situations. We have taken on mental health in numerous posts, including mobile outreach, community group participation and addiction. There have been heavy topics (suicidal ideation) that have balanced with lighter fare (Odds & Ends). Current events in Nova Scotia include the journey towards technician regulation and our first foray into administering injections. Quite a mixed bag, wouldn’t you say? All posts may be found in the archives if you’d like to check them out.

All in all, and I repeat myself often in saying that it’s been extremely satisfying to watch this blog idea grow. It has reached more people than I could have expected in such a short time. To top the year off, the blog is being featured in the March 2014 issue of Pharmacy Practice +. I am both honored and humbled by the support I’ve received.

A sincere thank you goes out to Laura M, who has been my blog editor since day 1. My ideas are sometimes convoluted and my metaphors don’t always make sense. I’m so glad she has stuck with me and pushes me to be a better writer.

So what’s in store for year #2?

A lot has happened in the pharmacy world and continues to happen. As I wade through my own experiences with expanded scope and collaborative practice, I hope to share as much of the highlights as I can. Plans are in the works to continue mental health outreach with the More Than Meds project (http://morethanmeds.com). Other upcoming features include further follow-up on my smoking-cessation sessions, a deeper look into palliative care, and a profile on a new provincial initiative (http://polypharmacy.ca).

Stay tuned!

 

Twitter: @PharmAspire

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pharmaspire.ca

email: dcovey@pharmaspire.ca

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, employer or affiliation.

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Pharmacy Technician Regulation and My Journey To Become Licensed in Nova Scotia

Greetings pharmacy community! I am a pharmacy assistant in Nova Scotia and was asked by Devin (ages ago – sorry Devin!) to write a bit about the adventure I have been on to become a regulated pharmacy technician, and how I feel about the process.

When I began as a pharmacy assistant in 2007, regulation wasn’t even a thought in Nova Scotia. I was hired as a “pharmacy technician.” I was told to “listen to the pharmacist and do everything they ask you to do – they are your direct supervisor on shift, and you are there to support them and the work they do.” So I was trained on the job and became what my pharmacist needed me to be.

I loved my new job! I enjoyed helping my patients, and taking phone calls (even if I was confused as to which “little white pill” my elderly patients were looking to have refilled), filling scripts, and learning everything I could from my pharmacist. For the first time I felt like I had found purpose in what I was doing, and I was quite satisfied with my work. Yes, there were challenging times and tough questions, but there were funny moments as well.

To condense my tale, I ended up working at a very busy retail pharmacy that had a lot of unique things going for it.  As I was away from home, family and friends, I started looking at pharmacy websites and reading about the pharmacy technician regulation process that was happening in Ontario and Alberta.  I decided that this was the next step I wanted to take in my pharmacy career. To do this, I felt I  that needed a bit more knowledge of pharmacy laws, pharmacology, etc. In the summer of 2009, I purchased a few text books, and began to study the NAPRA, PANS, and NSCP websites in anticipation of writing the PEBC Evaluation Exam. I wrote the Evaluation exam in Halifax in April of 2010, with a room full of other hopeful candidates.

And then the waiting game began. As everything was new and nothing was in the Pharmacy Act, I, along with countless other assistants in Nova Scotia, could go no further. In 2011 we finally heard word that we could begin taking the four Pharmacy Technician Bridging Programs being offered through various colleges online (now only being offered by Selkirk College). I completed the final course through Humber College in the spring of 2012, and wrote the PEBC Qualifying Exam (MCQ and OSPE) in March of this year. It was a terrifying experience – so much rested on my abilities and knowledge, and at times I felt like I was failing miserably. I questioned whether I could ever be successful as a pharmacy technician. However, in May I received word that I passed the PEBC!

And then more waiting. Was the new Pharmacy Act ever going to get passed? No one was sure. I didn’t think that I would stick around Nova Scotia much longer, and so in July I started looking into the process to move to Ontario and pursue licensure through their process. Thank goodness that I didn’t! At the end of July we found out that the new Nova Scotia Pharmacy Act would be passed and in effect on the 6th of August! A bit more waiting as many changes were made in the Act (including the ability for pharmacists to give injections to their patients -go and get your flu shots!). Then news came that the NSCP would be offering jurisprudence exams for hopeful pharmacy technicians. I didn’t do much preparation as I used to spend hours on the website, but I did bring a binder stuffed to the hinges with everything I could think of to print. After all, you don’t necessarily need to know 100% of everything for pharmacy – but you do need to know where to find the information you need and how to interpret what you find. The exam was offered last week, and so now I am waiting on the results.

The final step is the Pharmacy Technician Assessment (PTA) which is being offered sometime after December, and once I am successful with this aspect, I should be ready to register as a pharmacy technician!

And so I return to Devin’s original request when he asked me to write for PharmAspire and talk about how the whole regulations process has been. I’d be lying if I said it was an entirely awesome, stress-free experience. Tears have been shed, and drinks have been consumed after exams. There has been so much preparation and anticipation; anxiety and agitation, but also excitement and that feeling of pride once another step in this five year process was achieved successfully.  I can say that I have learned so much through and from the process that I feel I can take on anything! My understanding of pharmacology is so much better (“Your little white pill? You have two on file. Were you looking for the one for your blood pressure or for your diabetes?”) and I feel like I am able to assist my patients more effectively and efficiently.  I am already putting to good use the knowledge that I have gained, and only hope that I can be utilized further once I am licensed to do so.

And so that’s been my journey thus far!

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, employer or affiliation.

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The Quest for Job Satisfaction – Choose Your Own Adventure

What does job satisfaction mean to you?

-Really-

Have you ever thought about it? Is it the wage you earn or the vacation you accrue? Is it winning arguments with colleagues or landing that huge business opportunity? Is it directing a team or nurturing individuals in their roles? Are you proud of work accomplishments?  Is it the value you provide to the operation/team/public?

Is it all of the above?

True job satisfaction doesn’t seem to follow a formula or template. If it does, I certainly have been looking in the wrong places. My personal adage is simple and goes something like this:

Job satisfaction is not something that anyone can give to you, be it the boss, your colleagues, or your friends. You have to want it, you have to recognize what adds to (or subtracts from) it, and most importantly, you have to feel it.

The quest part represents the fact that we never stop growing, and therefore the source of your personal job satisfaction may evolve over time. Tasks or responsibilities that were once daunting start becoming less of a challenge. The environment you’re in may shift and offer new and exciting opportunities of which you may want to take advantage.

The new pharmacy landscape will offer plenty of potential niches to fill, ledges to reach for, wide open spaces to explore, and peaks to ultimately summit. This quest, should you choose to accept it, requires an open mind and an awareness of current personal or logistical limitations, as they may impact the first direction you choose to go. You may also need a few things:

1) Mentors – folks you look up to and make you think. It’s in their nature to push you places you may not go otherwise.

2) Leaders – Provide a vision for where pharmacy is going. Well-respected in the community and among their peers, they motivate and set the tone for how we may approach perceived barriers (i.e. – public acceptance of pharmacists providing flu shots).

3) Supporters – Colleagues, peers, friends, family. This network forms the glue that keeps your aspirations focused and achievable.  If you need a boost, they’re right behind you and really mitigate the negative slides.

4) Resources – Could be people, but more often it is information. Ask questions, read whatever interests you. Whether it’s renal failure or cancer research, mental health or menopause, stoking those passions will provide insight into what really gets you out of bed in the morning.

So choose your own adventure. Just like the book series, take it a day at a time and when you have a choice to make, be convicted and accept the consequences on the random page you end up flipping to. I for one am looking forward to exploring all the possible endings. Are you?

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Inspiration

It comes in many forms…sometimes it can be subtle, sometimes succinct and other times, it bashes you over the head and leaves you in the alleyway wondering what the next step might be.

The pharmacy climate is changing faster than most of us ever thought possible. Legislation has been tabled in many parts of the country allowing pharmacists to make and own drug-related clinical decisions for patients with the intent of allowing quicker access and better-quality healthcare in all practice settings. With these changes also comes a need to adopt a philosophy towards how we approach drug-related problems; we are no longer simply drug experts to be used as a resource or to provide recommendations, we are entering a realm where we are able to assess independently and have final authority on therapy decisions within our scope. Needless to say, many of us are struggling with whether or not we will be comfortable in our new surroundings and/or will we still excel in our roles as consumer expectations change.

The profession of pharmacy has given me plenty over the last 15 years: an education, a lifestyle, growth opportunities, and a perspective on healthcare that alternates between cynicism and excitement. Most importantly, it has provided me the chance to meet and learn from so many fascinating people. Though not an exhaustive list, there are pharmacists, students, doctors, social workers, nurses, NPs, business people, educators, mentors. Those folks are the real reason behind this blog. I truly believe that the answers to every obstacle are already among the group and are waiting to be discovered through engagement and networking.

That said, this site is intended to be a forum where leaders within our profession can provide opinions, commentary, and brainstorm possible solutions to all things known or unknown. There may be debate, and there may be reality checks, but the tone will be constructive and provocative.

Hopefully, we can inspire each other and ASPIRE to become the practitioners we want to be. The tagline captures the attitude: ‘The practice of pharmacy…On your terms…In your terms’.