Supporting Patients and Teams During the Holidays

Welcome to The Weekly Fill! 🎉

The holidays are a time of joy, but for pharmacy teams, they can also bring added pressure. With increased patient volumes, tight schedules, and the extra challenge of juggling personal plans, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This week, we’re sharing ways to support both your patients and your team, ensuring you provide excellent care while maintaining your own well-being during the busiest time of the year.

💊 The Big Fill: Staying Sane in the Season of Stress

What's happening?

The holiday season often means longer hours, more patients, and extra responsibilities. Getting caught in the chaos is easy, but it’s important to take a step back and focus on what truly matters: clear communication, staying organized, and keeping a steady pace.

Key points:

• When the pressure builds, you must make time for yourself. Whether it’s taking a deep breath or stepping outside for a quick walk, small breaks can help keep you energized.

• During busy shifts, regular check-ins with your team can reduce stress and keep everyone on the same page.

• Use digital tools to streamline tasks like prescription tracking and medication management, freeing up time for patient care.

What this means for you: By managing your own well-being and encouraging your team to do the same, you’ll be able to face the busy season with confidence. A balanced approach means better patient care, smoother operations, and a more positive atmosphere for everyone.

Looking ahead: The holiday season is a time to reflect on how far you’ve come and to plan for the opportunities ahead. As the new year approaches, take a moment to assess your current workflows, team dynamics, and patient engagement strategies. 

Pharmacy dad joke of the week: Why did the pharmacist bring a pencil to work? “Because they wanted to draw some prescriptions!” Ba dum dum tss.

👨⚕️ Pharmacists: Leading with Calm and Clarity

What's Changing: With new clinical responsibilities and a packed schedule, pharmacists are being asked to juggle more than ever. The holiday season only amplifies this challenge.

Why It Matters: As a pharmacist, your leadership and composure set the tone for your entire team. By staying calm and organized, you’re not only managing your own workload but guiding your team through a hectic season.

Pro Tip:  Set aside time to review your priorities and focus on high-impact tasks that align with patient care

👩⚕️ Technicians: Keeping the Engine Running Smoothly

What's Changing: Pharmacy technicians are often the unsung heroes, handling a variety of responsibilities from filling prescriptions to assisting patients. The holidays bring added pressure, but with the right tools, you can manage it all

Why It Matters: Being organized and staying ahead of tasks is key to reducing stress. A clear and calm approach ensures you’re able to provide the best support for your patients and your team

Tech Tip: Organize the workspace before every shift. Streamlining tasks, such as setting up medication trays or preparing patient files in advance, helps maintain focus and reduces errors. A quick pre-shift routine with the team ensures everyone’s on the same page.

💉 Patients: Strengthening Communication and Care

What's Changing: As patients become more involved in their own care, many are turning to digital tools like medication apps, refill reminders, and virtual consultations. The holidays bring in an influx of these interactions.

Why It Matters: Engaging patients proactively helps reduce confusion and ensures they’re managing their medications correctly. Clear communication fosters trust and strengthens relationships, making the busy season feel less hectic for everyone.

Patient Reminder: Take a few moments during each shift to check in with patients, either by phone or face-to-face. Small gestures, like reminding them to update their medication apps or confirming prescriptions, can lead to better patient satisfaction and reduce follow-up issues.

🏪 Independent Pharmacy Owners: Maintaining Team Morale and Efficiency

What's Changing: Owners are balancing more responsibilities than ever—monitoring staffing levels, managing patient care, and meeting financial goals, all while keeping an eye on employee well-being during the busy season.

Why It Matters: As an owner, your leadership during the holidays can set the tone for your entire team. Maintaining a positive and organized work environment ensures not just efficiency, but also a motivated and happy team, leading to better outcomes for your pharmacy and your patients.

Owner Insight: Create a feedback loop. Encourage your team to share what’s working and what’s not. This keeps lines of communication open and ensures that any concerns or stress points can be addressed quickly, making everyone feel heard and supported.

🔮 Keeping an Eye Out: Planning for a Stress-Free Start to the New Year

The holiday rush might be winding down, but it’s never too early to start preparing for a smooth start to the new year. Whether it’s updating processes, checking inventory systems, or reviewing team schedules, being proactive now will set you up for success. Take a few minutes this week to reflect on what worked well and what could use improvement.

💡 ShiftRx Tip: Optimize Your Pharmacy Workflow

As the demand for pharmacy services continues to grow, now is the perfect time to evaluate and optimize your pharmacy workflow. Streamlining processes can improve efficiency and better patient care, allowing staff to manage the increasing workload. 

📅 Need a per diem pharmacist or technician? By utilizing the right staffing solutions, you can maintain quality service and ensure operations run smoothly. ShiftRx finds qualified professionals who can help fill in gaps and support your team, allowing you to focus on patient care. Check out the latest on ShiftRx!

🗞 Quick Scripts: Other Industry News

• Medicare Drug Spending Cap: The U.S. government introduces a cap on Medicare prescription drug spending to combat rising medication costs and improve accessibility. Read more

• Increasing Pharmacy Closures: Vermont residents face longer drives as pharmacy closures mirror a national trend, impacting access to healthcare. Read more

• 2024 Drug Approvals: In 2024, the FDA has approved multiple groundbreaking medications, addressing various therapeutic needs and expanding patient care options. Read more

• Anti-Woke DEI Stance in Pharma: Major pharmaceutical companies such as Walgreens, Parexel, and Sanofi are re-evaluating their approaches to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs amid growing anti-woke sentiments. Read more

🌟Pharma Stars

Pharma Stars is our new weekly spotlight for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Techs! Each week we will be shining a light on pharmacy professionals and industry leaders who inspire us. 

This week, we’re introducing Amshula Gajula, a junior at the University of Texas at Austin, studying Statistics and Data Science. She has also worked as a pharmacy technician, gaining valuable hands-on experience in healthcare while building her technical skills.

What inspired you to become a pharmacist tech?

“I was inspired by a physiology class where I learned about how different drugs interact with the body to target and address various health problems. This sparked my interest in the field of pharmacy, and when I discovered that I could get certified and work as a pharmacy technician, I decided to pursue the opportunity.”

How has it aided you in your career? 

“Working as a pharmacy technician has provided me with valuable insights into the healthcare system, particularly in the areas of medication prescriptions, patient affordability, and accessibility. I've learned how to help patients navigate challenges to ensure they receive the medications they need. This experience has given me a broader perspective on the healthcare field and its inner workings”

What advice do you have for others pursuing their pharmacy technician license? 

“The amount of information required for the licensing test can seem overwhelming, but my advice is to take it one step at a time. Break the material into smaller, manageable sections and study consistently. Flashcards and studying with friends can be really helpful for retaining information. Focus on understanding the concepts rather than trying to memorize everything at once!"

That’s it for today’s fill!

Stay tuned for next week’s issue. If you enjoyed this, please share it with your pharmacy friends. Until then, keep filling those scripts and making an impact!

Doses and mimosas, ShiftRx Team

Redefining staffing for pharmacy professionals, one shift at a time.

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