Using HubRx to automate prescription dispensing isn’t just good for a pharmacy’s business and its patients, it’s also transformative for the team behind its counter, something Lisa – an accuracy checking technician from Leeds – knows only too well…
From negative to positive
After years of working in community pharmacy Lisa found herself at a career crossroads. She was busy, but she was bored.
“Every day just felt like the one before it,” she says. “I did the same jobs over and over”.
Just a year after gaining the ACT accreditation she had worked hard to achieve and that she had initially been so excited about, Lisa admits she’d had enough.
Believing the only way to progress in her career was a move into a hospital or PCN role, Lisa started looking to leave community pharmacy.
That was until the pharmacy she worked in was bought by a new owner who had plans to completely transform how they managed dispensing and her workload.
The start of something new
“It was nerve-wracking at first. We had a new owner and there were lots of plans for change. We didn’t know what to expect, what it was going to involve, or how it would affect us,” Lisa adds.
But in a matter of weeks of using HubRx to dispense prescription items, Lisa admits she and the pharmacy team in Alwoodley started to feel the benefit.
Having previously felt a desperate lack of career progression, now she was being encouraged to use the new capacity created by dispensing being automated to expand her role.
A new chapter in her career that started with training to take an active role in flu and covid vaccinations.
Embracing every opportunity
Lisa has a self-confessed love of learning, “I’ll always say yes to the chance to train and gain a new skill – especially if it means more time with patients,” she says.
And shortly after becoming involved in the vaccination programme, Lisa was offered the opportunity to learn about phlebotomy.
“I instantly loved it. I got a real buzz from the training.”
Drawing in more patients
Having passed the phlebotomy training with flying colours, and a Bloods and Beyond course to further her knowledge, Lisa is now leading the blood testing service in her branch.
It’s proved a huge hit with patients and it’s a service that’s already growing.
“We’ve just introduced a finger prick test in the pharmacy that provides patients with results while they wait in 10 to 15 minutes. It’s still early days, but the patients we’ve used the service on have loved it.”
Attracting industry attention
Not only have patients been impressed by Lisa’s work in blood testing, she’s also been given an industry nod of approval with a nomination at this year’s prestigious Chemist+Druggist Awards.
“It was such a shock – a nice one of course! I had no idea I was being nominated.”
Impressive transformations
Motivated to develop, and with the support and encouragement of the Pharmacy+Health team, Lisa has also added the weight management services to her expanded role.
“Every month I get to see patients in pharmacy who are using this service and the transformation is incredible. I don’t just mean physically, I mean mentally too.
“Patients use the service when they are unhappy with themselves, want to become healthier, and because they need to lose weight so they can have surgery.
“It’s always about the patient, supporting them and helping them get to where they want to be in a safe, effective way.”
And Lisa’s own transformation is nothing short of impressive. From considering leaving, to now thriving in community pharmacy.
“I’m really proud of my career,” she adds. “In a few months I’ll have worked in this pharmacy for 10 years and I love it – the team and the patients.”
What’s next?
Unsurprisingly more learning as she eyes up training for the contraception service. And we very much hope a win at the upcoming Chemist+Druggist Awards. Good luck Lisa!