Robert’s Journey: From Trainee Pharmacist to Store Manager
Rob’s journey at Boots has been one of growth, learning, and meaningful impact within community pharmacy. He began his career in 2020 as a part‑time Pharmacy Advisor while studying, gaining valuable experience in Care Services and building strong clinical foundations. His foundation training year in Glasgow strengthened his consultation skills and prepared him for the challenges of becoming a Relief Pharmacist, where he quickly developed confidence across different stores. Now thriving as a Pharmacist Store Manager, Rob reflects on the support, development opportunities, and rewarding patient interactions that have shaped his Boots career—and looks ahead to becoming an Independent Prescriber.
Tell us about your career journey so far
My career journey with Boots so far has been a dynamic and evolving process, where I have had the opportunity to work across different roles that have helped me to grow both professionally and personally.
I started with Boots part‑time as a Pharmacy Advisor (January 2020) while studying Pharmacy at the University of Strathclyde. I worked mainly in the Care Services department, which was extremely beneficial in building my knowledge on common comorbidities and palliative care.
I then completed my Foundation Training Year in Glasgow, which is where I really developed my consultation skills and had the opportunity to deal with many complex situations.
Once I had completed my Foundation Year, I became a Relief Pharmacist in Glasgow Central for six months. This role allowed me to gain confidence quickly, experience different stores, and face a variety of challenges.
Finally, I have recently started my new role as a Pharmacist Store Manager, which I am thoroughly enjoying so far!
What does a typical day in your role look like?
A typical day in my role as a Pharmacist Store Manager brings together clinical responsibilities, leadership, and delivering excellent customer care.
I start each morning by setting out an action plan for the day ahead to make sure the workload is well managed and the team are clear on the tasks that need to be completed. The Pharmacy Activity Planner has been a massive help in ensuring that no key tasks are missed and that everything is completed when required.
My store is really seeing the benefits of the new technology implemented to speed up our accuracy‑checking process. This means more of my time is now freed up to be in the consultation room with patients and providing advice over the counter.
The use of optimisation through technology has also given me valuable time to complete my management tasks and to really get to know the store inside out.
Why did you choose Boots for your pharmacy career?
I chose to work for Boots for a variety of reasons, but one of the main factors was definitely the career development opportunities. One of the things I love most about being a Pharmacist is the continued professional development, and Boots supports this massively.
As part of my Foundation Training Year, I attended the Trainee Pharmacist Conference in July 2024, where I was able to network with many experienced colleagues, hear their advice, and learn from their journeys at Boots. I also had the chance to present to the next cohort of Trainee Pharmacists in Perth in October 2024, sharing my own experiences and offering guidance on how to have a successful foundation training year. This really helped to build my confidence in public speaking.
The Post‑Registration Programme at Boots has also been excellent. I have received a lot of constructive feedback during collaborator days, and as I am newly qualified, it has been incredibly valuable to have other Pharmacists visit the store to share feedback and advice on my practice.
What do you love most about your role?
The three main reasons I love my role would be:
1. Supporting patients: Building strong relationships with patients and having a meaningful impact on their health and wellbeing within the community.
2. Leading my team: Leading an exceptional team and supporting their professional development as they grow in their roles.
3. Developing my skills: Taking part in collaborator visits as part of the post‑registration programme, which continuously helps me improve my clinical knowledge and consultation skills. These experiences motivate me to keep improving my practice.
Can you share a memorable moment or achievement with Boots that you are proud of?
One memorable moment would definitely be completing my gateway to pharmacy services training during my foundation training year and then providing flu vaccinations to customers. I thoroughly enjoy delivering flu vaccinations as I am having a positive impact on public health, and it helps protect my patients and wider community from illness in the winter months. Customers love coming into Boots for their winter flu jab and this often gives me a sense of fulfilment as customers are always very appreciative of simply being able to walk into their local Boots Pharmacy and receive their vaccination along with a great service.
What’s next for you?
I am excited to complete the Post‑Registration Programme with Boots and then progress onto the university Independent Prescribing course. My goal is to become an Independent Prescriber and eventually set up my own prescribing clinic within my store, allowing me to play a more integral role in patient care. I believe it will be extremely rewarding to prescribe and manage a patient’s care from start to finish.
Overall, Rob’s journey so far has strengthened his passion for community pharmacy and highlighted how much opportunity there is to grow within Boots. Each stage of his development—from his early experience as a Pharmacy Advisor to stepping into management—has offered new skills, new challenges, and meaningful experiences with patients and colleagues. Rob is excited for the next steps in his career, particularly progressing toward becoming an Independent Prescriber, and looks forward to continuing to build a long‑term career where he can make a real difference in patient care while continually developing his practice.
