How To Be Good Preceptor To Pharmacy Interns

Preceptor

Pharmacists can find themselves playing the role of a preceptor to pharmacy interns. It can be what they bargained for or imposed on them by the organization they worked. Whatever the case, they can succeed in it.

Pharmacy interns are there to learn. With only theory from school, they are here to see and practicalize what they have been taught in school. It is the duty of a preceptor to put them through. To be successful, they will have to learn this in a stepwise manner.

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For a pharmacist to be a better preceptor, they must have knowledge on the field and leadership qualities. Having one and lacking the other can hinder the learning of the intern. Learning the basic leadership qualities is a must and yet very easy.

Steps For Preceptor

Example

Every modern pharmacist was once an intern. That means they were once under the supervision of a preceptor. You can visualize steps your preceptor took back in the days, things they did right and avoid things they did wrong. You may now understand why they took some decisions where it seems like it was wrong.

Timetable

The internship period is for a year. Draft out a personal timetable to expose everything about the profession to the intern(s). Let the timetable be flexible. With this timetable, draft out the timetable for the interns.

Roles And Responsibilities

Give each interns their roles and responsibilities. For a start, some of the roles and responsibilities will be small but will increase as they get more knowledge.

Example

Students read and learn. Interns observe and learn. The preceptor should always be on the ground to provide practical guidelines on how to handle different issues that arise. A practical learning schedule should be made available to the interns. This will give them the idea how fast they need to learn. Everybody cannot learn at the same pace. Be flexible in dealing with this.

Assignment

Give assignments and lay out punishment for failure to meet deadlines. A very good assignment is presenting seminar. When an intern doesn't know an answer, give it as an assignment.

Conflict

A very important part of a good leader is conflict management. It is not impossible for interns to have issues with fellow interns or other staff. Be tactful when resolving issues as it can Rob the company of good reputation. Issue out punishment as it is due.

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One mistake preceptor make is bully. In the African spirit, this seems to be right. But such moves does not yield positive result. It makes learning hard and not fun. Telling your intern you will not sign his logbook or other internship forms is a bad form of bully.

Avoid embarrassing interns in the presence of customers or even staff. It takes away their joy and affect learning. Be a father and mother.

The job of a preceptor is hard but fun. There is joy from it especially when a pharmacist identify their preceptor years to come. When such opportunity presents themselves, it should be a source of happiness.

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