Robert’s Journey: From Trainee Pharmacist to Store Manager
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 in 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 was a relief Pharmacist in Glasgow Central for six months which allowed me to gain confidence quickly, experience different stores and different 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 involves a blend of clinical responsibilities, retail management tasks and enhancing the customer experience in store by ensuring my team deliver excellent care to our customers. In the morning I set out an action plan for the day ahead to ensure workload is well managed and the team are aware of tasks that require completion. The Pharmacy Activity Planner has been a massive help to ensure that no key tasks are missed and that we are completing everything when required. My store is really seeing the benefits of the new technology implemented to speed up our accuracy checking process, as more of my time is now freed up to be in the consultation room with patients and giving advice over the counter. The use of optimisation through technology has also allowed me the time to complete my management tasks and getting 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 reasons I love being a Pharmacist is the continued professional development and Boots supports this massively. In July 2024, I attended the Trainee Pharmacist Conference where I got to network with many experienced colleagues and ask them for their advice and for them to share experiences they have had with Boots. I also had the chance to present to the next cohort of Trainee Pharmacists in Perth in October 2024 where I spoke about my career and gave advice on how to have a successful foundation training year, which has grown my confidence in public speaking. The post-registration programme is excellent at Boots. I have received a lot of constructive feedback during collaborator days and as I am newly qualified it is great to have other Pharmacists come into store to share their feedback and advice with me regarding my practice.
What do you love most about your role?
The three main reasons I love my role would be…
– Building a relationship with patients and having a big impact on patients’ health and wellbeing within the community.
– Leading an exceptional team and support their professional development.
– Taking part in collaborator visits as part of the post-registration programme, which helps me improve my clinical knowledge and consultation skills. These experiences motivate me to continuously improve 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 prescribing course. I can’t wait to be an Independent Prescriber and start up my own prescribing clinic within my store and play a more integral role in patient care. I believe it will provide me with great satisfaction to prescribe and manage a patients care from start to finish.
