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What Does a Pharmacy Manager Do?

Young African American Pharmacy Manager

Have you ever wondered, “What do pharmacy managers do?” Well, ShiftPosts is here to tell you! This is a rewarding job option for pharmacists to aim for throughout their careers and is an excellent role for those with exceptional leadership and management skills.

Learn more about a pharmacy manager’s duties, what sets them apart from a pharmacist, and if this could be a good career fit for you.

What Is a Pharmacy Manager?

A pharmacy manager is a licensed pharmacist who oversees daily pharmacy operations. They oversee several tasks, including compliance, staffing, and inventory, to ensure the pharmacy can operate smoothly and efficiently.

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Pharmacy Manager Responsibilities

A pharmacy manager has several responsibilities and duties when overseeing the staff and facility.

Ensure the Pharmacy Meets Regulations

Pharmacies are held to strict regulations and laws regarding pharmaceutical practices, and it’s one of the pharmacy manager’s responsibilities to ensure those standards are met. This role includes maintaining accurate records, ensuring everyone handles controlled substances correctly, and keeping customer information confidential.

Train and Hire Pharmacists

Another of a pharmacy manager’s duties is hiring and training new pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Pharmacy managers take on this responsibility to ensure new employees are thoroughly onboarded and properly trained on the pharmacy’s procedures and protocols.

Manage Scheduling and Inventory

Pharmacy managers must ensure the pharmacy is adequately staffed and inventory levels are maintained so customers can get the help and medications they need.

Consult With Doctors and Customers

If there are questions about medication dosages or additional drug information, it is one of the pharmacy manager’s responsibilities to speak with medical providers to make sure all the details are correct. Additionally, pharmacy managers must interact with customers and handle any escalated issues that may arise.

Administer Immunizations

Pharmacy managers and pharmacists are both allowed to administer immunizations. However, it is the pharmacy manager’s duty to ensure all pharmacists are current on immunization guidelines, documentation, and reporting.

Pharmacist vs. Pharmacy Managers

So, what does a pharmacy manager do compared to a regular pharmacist? In general, they both handle similar tasks regarding dispensing medications, counseling customers, and ensuring medication safety. However, pharmacy managers take care of the administrative and managerial responsibilities mentioned above. In some cases, a pharmacist can fulfill both roles if needed.

Pharmacy Manager and Pharmacist

How to Become a Pharmacy Manager

If you are a pharmacist looking to become a pharmacy manager, you’ll need a combination of education, experience, and skills.

Skills Required for a Pharmacy Manager

As a pharmacy manager, you’ll need several skills, including:

  • Patience
  • Communication
  • Leadership
  • Time management
  • Pharmaceutical knowledge
  • Inventory management
  • Attention to detail
  • Customer service
  • Collaboration
  • Management

Certifications Recommended for a Pharmacy Manager

It may be helpful to have certain certifications if you want to advance your career and be a more appealing candidate during your job search. These certifications are typically not pharmacy manager requirements but can make you a more competitive applicant.

Average Salary for a Pharmacy Manager

In the United States, a pharmacy manager’s annual average base salary is $134,983. In Canada, the average salary is $127,246. Note that pharmacy manager salaries vary based on location, experience, and the specific employer.

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Hiring Tools for Pharmacy Managers

Since one of the primary pharmacy manager responsibilities is hiring, here are some helpful places to find pharmacy staff.

Relief Shifts With ShiftPosts

The easiest and fastest way to find qualified, experienced pharmacy staff is through ShiftPosts — the convenient pharmacy staffing app. Get matched with high-quality pharmacy professionals in minutes without the hassle of calling around, vetting prospects, and negotiating pay. Whether you’re looking for a relief pharmacist for a single shift or longer-term coverage in the pharmacy, it’s all taken care of in the app, leaving time for more critical work.

Free Job Listing Sites

Free job listing websites like Indeed or LinkedIn are another option. Here, candidates submit their resumes for an open position, and the pharmacy manager must sift through each applicant to find a good fit. From there, they must set up interviews and narrow the options until they can hire someone. This option is convenient for accessing a wide range of applicants, but it’s time-consuming and not ideal for covering last-minute shifts.

Social Media

Another option for finding pharmacy staff is through social media, where you can share that you’re looking for help through your online profiles. These profiles are also a great way to showcase pharmacy culture, other job opportunities, and community involvement, which can attract potential hires to the pharmacy. Again, this option is best suited for those who have time to go through the entire hiring process themselves instead of pharmacy managers looking for immediate coverage.

Looking for Pharmacy Job Experience?

Here are a few tips if you’re looking for more job experience to help you become a pharmacy manager.

Find Shifts With ShiftPosts

When you sign up for ShiftPosts, you can get matched with available jobs in no time. You can work in different pharmacies, at various locations, and in diverse roles, building your experience and skills on your path to a pharmacy manager role. With ShiftPosts, you have more control over your pharmacy career and gain the flexibility to work where and when you want. And the best part? You can handle everything right in the app instead of jumping from site to site or making numerous phone calls.

Join the ShiftPosts App

Building Up Your Resume

The shifts you work through ShiftPosts will go a long way toward helping you build up your resume, meaning each workday is another opportunity to grow your knowledge and skills. You can also earn certifications, like those mentioned above, to help you stand out from other candidates when applying for ShiftPosts shifts or long-term employment.

ShiftPosts Makes Pharmacy Work Easier

While a pharmacy manager has many responsibilities, the position is a rewarding career in the pharmacy industry. With the right skills, certifications, education, and experience, it can be easy for a pharmacist to find a job in this role. ShiftPosts is an excellent tool for both pharmacy managers looking for hires and pharmacy professionals looking for work.

Whether you’re a pharmacist looking for relief work to build your experience or a pharmacy owner needing shift coverage, ShiftPosts is the answer. Contact our team or join the app to experience the ShiftPosts difference.

Is Per Diem Relief Work Right for you?

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During your search for work in the pharmacy industry, you may have seen the term “per diem” used in regard to open shifts. But what is per diem work and what does it mean to be a per diem pharmacist? Read on to learn about the per diem job meaning, per diem vs. full-time or part-time work, and whether this career option is right for you. 

What Is the Meaning of a Per Diem Job?

A per diem job is where a professional is hired on a day-to-day basis to complete specific work for a specified shift or work period. In fact, “per diem” means “per day” in Latin, so it’s easy to remember how this type of employment arrangement works.

Per Diem in Relief Work

Relief work and per diem work are often used interchangeably, and that’s fine because they mean the same thing! Relief work is the phrase typically used in the United States, while per diem work is more prevalent in Canada. 

Per Diem Shifts for Pharmacists

Per diem work can be an excellent employment option for pharmacists looking for flexible work. It’s a perfect opportunity to explore different settings and roles within a pharmacy. ShiftPosts makes it simple for pharmacy professionals to find per diem shifts with ease. 

Sign Up for ShiftPosts
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What Is the Difference Between Per Diem vs. Part-Time Work?

When considering what per diem work is, many wonder how it differs from part-time or full-time work. Since per diem workers are hired on a day-to-day basis and don’t work in a pharmacy in the long term, they aren’t in the same category as full-time or part-time employees. Understanding the difference between the two is crucial for pharmacists taking on relief work in the industry. 

What Is a PRN Pharmacist?

PRN means “as needed,” so a PRN pharmacist is typically called on an as-needed basis. This typically happens in an urgent situation where pharmacy owners need help immediately and call in a local pharmacist they’ve worked with before.  

What Is a Relief Pharmacist?

A relief pharmacist also steps in to cover pharmacy shifts as needed, though they typically know about shifts beforehand and may work on a more predictable schedule. Relief pharmacists can also work multiple shifts in a row or over an extended period if the pharmacy needs additional help. 

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Per Diem Work for Travel Pharmacists

A per diem job in healthcare and pharmacy can also create travel opportunities. Relief pharmacists can take short-term assignments in different locations, allowing them to explore new places while still working and earning a paycheck. 

How Many Hours Can a Per Diem Relief Pharmacist Work?

A per diem pharmacist has the benefit and flexibility of choosing how many hours they are open to every week. You can choose to work as little as once or twice a week for supplemental income or take on a fuller schedule based on your wants and needs. Per diem shift work is a great option for pharmacy professionals seeking a more personalized work-life balance. 

What Rights Do Per Diem Employees Have?

As a per diem pharmacist, you have the right to ethical treatment, a safe work environment, and fair compensation. However, you wouldn’t be entitled to the same benefits as full- and part-time employees, like healthcare coverage, bonuses, or PTO hours. 

Female pharmacist at drugstore

Benefits of Per Diem Work

So, is working per diem worth it? To answer this question, it’s important to know the benefits and disadvantages of this career option. There are several benefits to getting a per diem job in the pharmacy industry that make it an attractive option for pharmacy professionals. 

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Work in Different Settings

Relief pharmacists have the opportunity to work in various healthcare settings, such as hospitals or specialty pharmacies, to experience different environments, enhance their skills, and broaden their professional network.

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Better Pay

Typically, per diem pharmacists are paid at higher hourly rates than traditional employees. These rates compensate for the lack of benefits and consistent work, but they also make relief work financially rewarding for many.

Years of experience

Low Commitment

Relief pharmacists can choose when they want to work, meaning this is low-commitment work compared to other options. This flexibility is valuable for those looking for independence in their careers.

Flexibility

Flexible Hours and Schedules

In the ShiftPosts app, you can select your availability before being matched with open shifts. You can choose the hours that best suit your lifestyle, whether you want to work during the day, at night, or on the weekends.

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The Downside of Per Diem Work

Per diem work has many incredible benefits, but there are a few downsides to consider as well before choosing this type of work. 

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Less Stability

Per diem pharmacists aren’t hired into long-term commitments and may have less stable work hours. However, finding open shifts on the ShiftPosts platform is easier, so this is typically less of a concern. 

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Not Ideal for Specialty Jobs

If you’re looking for relief work in certain healthcare specialties, finding those options through per diem shifts may be challenging.

Interpersonal communication

Less Familiarity With Coworkers

As a per diem pharmacist, you may work an extended shift; however, you’ll more likely be covering short-term shifts. This means you may not have the same camaraderie with coworkers as you would if you were a full- or part-time employee.

How to Get a Job as a Per Diem Pharmacist

If you are considering per diem healthcare work as a pharmacist, ShiftPosts is the answer. Simply join our platform, and once you’re vetted, you’ll be matched with open pharmacy shifts that fit your availability. When you’re ready to take charge of your pharmacist career, we’re here to help. 

Sign Up for ShiftPosts

Discover more about how ShiftPosts is transforming healthcare staffing

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ShiftPosts CEO Elizabeth Cooper has been hard at work as she and her team have transformed the platform with innovative technology to promote flexible, efficient employment solutions for employers and healthcare professionals. Elizabeth sat down with the team at KingsCrowd to discuss recent wins, future plans, and what she’d like you to know about ShiftPosts moving forward.

READ THE ARTICLE

ShiftPosts Recent Wins

Since the beginning of 2020, ShiftPosts has seen exponential growth and success. There are some recent wins for the company.

  • Pandemic success: We thrived during the pandemic, helping with mass vaccination efforts, proving our platform’s value during tough times, and outperforming competitors to dominate the market. 
  • Canada achievements: In less than three years, we’ve hit the break-even cash flow point and work with more than 70% of the retail pharmacies in the country. There is still room for growth here, and we have a solid footing in this market. 
  • U.S. expansion: We’ve perfected our platform in Canada, making it easier than ever for us to expand into the United States. Since the U.S. is 6x larger than Canada, capturing just 1% of the retail pharmacy market would bring us 29MM in net revenue and significantly benefit the company. The ShiftPosts platform has been enhanced to handle different rules from state to state.
VIEW OUR GOALS

What to Know

We’ve been experiencing unprecedented growth throughout the last three years, tripling our revenue year after year, and we’re primed to continue that growth trajectory in the coming years. To scale the company accordingly, we need to spend ahead of cash flow and add human judgment paired with deep knowledge of what makes staffing work. We welcome investors to join us on this exciting and financially beneficial journey of growing ShiftPosts and expanding to new markets.

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