How to Become a Pharmacy Manager

How to Become a Pharmacy Manager

Advancing to become a pharmacy manager is a goal that many new pharmacists set when starting down their career path. Some find their way to the top quickly, while others never seem to be able to reach the position they so desire. What is it that makes a good pharmacy manager? What skills should you demonstrate to help you on your way to the promotion you want? While that answer is just a little different in every company, here are five traits every pharmacy manager should have.

What is a Pharmacy Manager?

Pharmacy managers include overseeing the day-to-day business operations of a pharmacy. They oversee and manage the team of pharmacists as well as ensure that customers receive quality and accurate care. Their role can certainly vary day by day depending on their environment, customer quantity and the size of their team.

What Does a Pharmacy Manager Do?

Pharmacy manager responsibilities are crucial to the success of a pharmacy team. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring customers receive correct medications, assuring that the pharmacy is complying with federal and state regulations, training staff, maintaining high-quality customer service and assisting with the onboarding process of new hires.

How Long Does It Take to Be a Pharmacy Manager?

As in any profession, there are specific qualifications to meet in order to become a pharmacy manager. We’ve provided insight around the necessary qualifications necessary to achieve a pharmacy manager position below.

Pharmacy Manager Qualifications

To become a pharmacy manager, usually a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement of education however a graduate level education is usually preferred by many retail pharmacists. A pharmacy manager will also be required to attain proper licensure according to state standards in order to work in that location. In addition, gaining experience as a pharmacist will certainly work in one’s favor when working to attain a pharmacy manager position.

Qualities of a Good Pharmacy Manager    

Outside of standard qualifications, pharmacy managers also possess specific qualities that contribute towards their success. From communication skills to leadership, these pharmacist traits make an effective pharmacy manager.

Pharmacy Manager Skills

We’ve put together a list below of some of the qualities that a good pharmacy manger possesses. Use this list as a reference to learn about the areas in which you can potentially grow in to work towards becoming a successful pharmacy manager.

• A Heart for Service. As a healthcare professional, the number one duty of a pharmacy manager is to serve others. Those who find great satisfaction in serving their patients and guiding their team member to do the same are among the most successful in their position. Keep your eye trained on your motivation and ensure that you want the pharmacy manager job for the right reasons – most importantly, caring for others and helping them find health and happiness.

• Strong Communicator. Every leader needs strong communication skills and a pharmacy manager is no exception. You should be able to listen to and understand your customers and employees needs effectively. A good pharmacy manager also has a strong grasp of both verbal and written language, allowing them to clearly present information, ask questions, and give instructions in a way that is easy for anyone to understand. There are several skills that can improve your communication such as listening, empathy, open-mindedness and feedback.

• Goal-Driven. The best pharmacy managers are those who are goal-driven and constantly working to exceed the expectations set for them, as well as those they set for themselves. They work hard to ensure that sales and safety goals are met, finding fun and creative ways to incentivize their employees’ performance. They don’t truly feel as if they are successful unless they are surpassing their quotas and are able to set the bar a little higher each time.

• Smart Delegator. Those who are strong pharmacy managers know that it takes an entire team to get any job done correctly. They are smart delegators who understand the strengths and weaknesses of their team members and know just how to assign tasks to not only get the job done well but also to help their team members develop new skills.

• Effective Leader. Pharmacy managers absolutely must be effective leaders in order to do their job well. They will know how to inspire and motivate those under them. They lead by example, never making it seems as if any part of the job is beneath them. They can handle conflict with grace and work well under pressure, which encourages the rest of the team to do the same.

While there is much more to becoming a great pharmacy manager, these traits are some of the most important to develop as you work your way to the top. Those in the position to hire or promote will take notice when you demonstrate these qualities and you’ll be much more likely to get the job that you’ve been working toward for your entire career.

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