Career development

Whether your eye is on a PhD or on a DPharm, is doctoral study for you?

Pharmacists who want to challenge themselves academically beyond master’s level may be attracted by the idea of studying for a doctorate — which can focus on research or an area of professional practice

Wanted! Enthusiastic pharmacists to facilitate learning using role play

Role play can be a rewarding and effective learning tool, but the success of this kind of learning activity depends heavily on the enthusiasm and preparation of the facilitator. Here are some useful tips

Appraisals and development plans — is mentoring the missing link?

The NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework is designed to provide direction for the appraisal process; yet some aspects of the framework are better suited to development through a mentoring relationship

Get the most out of your clinical rotations

Most of us working in hospitals start our careers in rotational posts, allowing us to learn about a range of specialist areas and identify our clinical interests. How do we get the most from the experience?

Take notice of the qualities that make you a leader in your field

Your chief pharmacist is expected to fulfil a leadership role. But many pharmacists working at directorate level fail to realise how important it is for them to recognise themselves as leaders in their own right

How to build your professional portfolio (and why you should)

Building a professional portfolio enables you to collate all the important details of your career in one place; if you do not already have a portfolio, now is the time to make a start. Read on to find out how

Make reflection part of your daily practice

When the editor of Clinical Pharmacist asked me [Katy Morris] to write an article on reflective practice I set about to find some colleagues who could offer personal insights into the topic

Revamp your CV and interview skills to land your next job

Funding cuts are threatening many NHS jobs, so now is the time to think about ways to give yourself an edge during the recruitment process — an engaging CV and solid interview skills are vital

Expand your options with an MBA

Studying a masters of business administration can give you the skills and confidence to manage people and processes — which can lead to career opportunities within the pharmacy department and beyond

How postgraduate study could make you a master of research

With healthcare decisions becoming increasingly evidence-based, a research masters can equip pharmacists with the skills necessary to undertake quality research and scrutinise published data

Give juniors mini-PATs on the back

Assessing individuals’ performance under exam conditions does not test their ability to apply knowledge in real-life situations. Greater insight can be gained by obtaining feedback from their colleagues.

Take away more than souvenirs when you work in a developing country

Volunteering as a pharmacist in a developing country is not easy, but the dilemmas you face can help develop your career when you return. One pharmacist shares her experiences having done such work.

Enrich your career and outlook by volunteering abroad

If you have ever considered volunteering as a healthcare worker in a developing country, this first of two articles offers some insight into what might be encountered before, during and after the experience.

Juggling management and clinical roles as you develop your career

Historically, hospital pharmacists have had to take on management roles to further their careers, leaving them less time for clinical work. This article offers tips on how the two can be combined.

The beauty of continuing professional development is that it belongs to you

New standards from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society state that pharmacists should be making nine CPD entries a year. If you are making fewer, or are without a record, now is the time to engage.

Make the most of the time you spend tutoring diploma students

Tutoring work-based pharmacy diploma students can be a rewarding experience — but also a challenging one. This article offers tips to help juggle the demands of a busy job and being a tutor. 

“Act up” when your boss goes away

If a manager or more senior colleague is absent for an extended period you could be asked to perform that person’s role temporarily. But for the experience to be positive there are several issues to consider.

How some pharmacists have joined the ranks of “consultants” in the NHS

Since the introduction of professional development frameworks and the publication of Department of Health guidance, consultant status for pharmacists is now recognised within the NHS in England.