Keys to Success: Five Traits of Highly Successful Pharmacists

Keys to Success: Five Traits of Highly Successful Pharmacists

Kevin McCarthy, RPhVice President, PharmCon Inc

Introduction

l Work experience in:• Retail Pharmacy

– Chain and independent– Managed Care– Education

• What Makes a Successful Pharmacist?– Polling– Surveys– Research

Objectives

1. Define the term “burnout” as it applies to the profession of pharmacy.

2. List three threats to a successful career in pharmacy.

3. State the five characteristics that successful pharmacist have in common

SuccessFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaSuccess may mean:

a level of social status achievement of an objective/goal the opposite of failure

Success in PharmacyFor this presentation Success may mean:

enjoyment and advancement of one’s career/profession

the opposite of “burned out”

The Scene:30 seconds before opening

The Scene:30 seconds AFTER opening

The Scene:Three hours later…..

The Scene:Six hours later…..

The Scene:Nine hours later…..

The Scene:Twelve hours later….10 seconds

after closing.

Who Are Pharmacists?

Highly motivatedAbove average academicallyNeed to be challengedTend to be perfectionistOften have “caretaker” personality

How Did I Get Here?

l Have specialized trainingl Majority of job opportunities are in retaill High entry level incomel “Retail” reality

List three threats to a successful career in Pharmacy?

1. Health, physical and mental1. Burnout2. Substance abuse

2. Financial 3. Legal / Regulatory

“Burnout”

l Burnout is defined as “a syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment that can occur among individuals who do ‘people-work’ of some kind.”

Maslach C, Jackson SE. Maslach Burnout Inventory

Pharmacist at Risk

l Burnout was identified in a sample of staff model HMO pharmacists using the MaslachBurnout Inventory as:

l emotional exhaustionl depersonalizationl reduced personal accomplishment

Pharmacist at Risk

l Staff pharmacists had higher BO scores than those in a supervisory capacity

l Unmarried pharmacist had higher BO scores than married pharmacists

l Pharmacists with three or more children had lower scores than those with no children.

l Females were more susceptible than males

Causes of “Burnout”

Job Related FrustrationLittle control in decision makingMinimal job challengeLack of constructive feedback from supervisorsMarginal opportunity for further advancementRequired adherence to impractical policies & proceduresDisappointment in the reality of job

Chronic Pharmacy StressStressor Controllable

§ “Caretaker” personality YES§ McDonalds mentality NO§ Third Party problems NO§ Employer demands NO§ Working environment YES/NO§ Staffing Problems YES/NO

Stress Management Strategies

l Try and manage your environment § Learn to identify stressors in your life § Understand which of these you can affect

and which are outside of your realm.§ Develop a plan that will enable you to

respond to those you can change and accommodate those you can not control.

Threat # 2: Financial problems……The Money Trap

l High entry level salaryl Nominal subsequent salary increasesl Upward socio-economic progression

student loans, car(s) home, children, credit cards

Causes of Burnout ……. The Money Trap

l Pharmacy is now a requirement, not an option

l Increase working hours-overtime-additional employment

l A dog chasing its tail dilemma

Causes of Burnout ……. The Money Trap

l Avoid the money trapl Awareness of income progressionl Consult a financial plannerl Recognize the relationship between

personal freedom and Burnout

Threat # 3: Legal, Regulatory Issues

l Pharmacists are held to higher standardl Arrest, convictions affect employability and

licensel State Pharmacy boards, NABP

Five Traits of Successful Pharmacists

1. Involvement (Proactiveness)2. Innovation3. Balance

Five Traits of Successful Pharmacists

4. Goal Oriented

Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Steven Covey

Visualization1, 5, 10 year goals

Five Traits of Successful Pharmacists

4. Goal Oriented

SMARTS= specificM= measurableA= AttainableR = RelevantT = Time bound

Five Traits of Successful Pharmacists

4. Goal Oriented

5. Control

Summary

The practice of PharmacyPrivilegeRespectRewarding

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