Course Topics

1. Attention to detail

Pharmacists need to always exhibit maximum accuracy in their work tasks. For example, when dealing with pharmaceuticals, it’s important to check the doctor’s name, the patient’s name, and that the medication is correct and the right dosage amount. Being accurate means that errors do not occur which could cause a patient harm.

2. Communication and interpersonal skills

Patients coming into a pharmacy are often tired, stressed and in pain. A focus on understandable speaking, along with active listening skills, ensures that interactions between patients and staff go as smoothly as possible. In addition, clear explanations about the need for a specific medication and possible side effects are often required.

3. Ability to multitask

Multi-tasking is the status quo of the pharmacy staff member. Roles include:

• Answering calls, data entry and responding to emails
• Serving several clients simultaneously
• Checking medications to ensure the dosage is correct and that they are not expired
• Ordering and restocking drugs and equipment in a systematic manner
• Updating patient and other pharmacy records

1. Confidentiality

Staff must be discreet when dealing with patient information. This includes a client’s history of illness or injury, diagnoses and medications. Under no circumstances should a staff member disclose information about a patient to a third party, unless they have the patient’s permission.

2. Teamwork

Pharmacies often have multiple staff members, so it’s a must that any employee can work well with others. Job candidates with strong teamwork skills demonstrate leadership, collaboration and good communication – all traits that employers are looking for.

3. Analysing

Analysis in the form of identifying patient problems and offering practical solutions is a skill that can only develop over time. However, Staffwise can lay the ground work by offering scaffolding techniques around practice scenarios that allow participants to start to hone this skill.