I learned the hard way that wearing comfortable shoes was one of the most important factors. On my first couple of days at the job, I was dressed to impress. I wanted to look sharp and professional, so I had on higher heals that I would normally wear if I was planning to be on my feet all day. I realized my mistake before the end of the day.

Now, I wear flat shoes whenever I can. I also bought some gel insoles from, where else, my pharmacy. Some co-workers had recommended Spenco Total Support Gel insoles, so I went with those and haven’t regretted it.

I often spend a good part of my day at the cash register. They have a rubber mat for me to stand on and that really helps. I can’t image standing on the hard floor.

Another thing I do is try to sit for 5 minutes each hour. It’s not always possible, especially on busy days, but I can often get a minute or two to rest my feet and legs. I find that raising during that time helps too. If I can’t sit down, I at least try to stretch a little to keep the joints and muscles

I am also mindful of stressing my feet and legs outside of work. For example, if I am going out to eat with friends, I try to make sure we are going somewhere that will sit us immediately. If that’s not possible, I go sit at the bar until our table is ready. (Oh, the sacrifices.)

When I get home, I try to stay off my feet as much as possible. Also, once I get home, I try to take a warm bath, again with my legs elevated.

Stay healthy!

The Original Post is Located Here: Staying Stress Free

This article gives you a few tips on using social media to get a pharmacy assistant job.

But, first, I want to make something very clear. Do NOT use social media to hound or spam people. Just because you have the ability to connect with key people with the click of a mouse, that doesn’t mean that you can conduct yourself with different principles than if you were engaging with them in person. In other words, harness social media…but don’t harass your contacts.

On a similar note, be sure that your personal social media space is respectable and in order. Most hiring managers will Google your name at some point in the hiring process. If they come across clear evidence of inappropriate behavior on your Facebook or Twitter pages, guess what? You’ve got a strike against you.

Be sure to join LinkedIn, if you haven’t already. This network is mostly used for professional connections. One of the great features is that you can find out whether you have shared connections with someone you would like to meet. So, for example, if you saw a manager of local pharmacy you would like to meet and you have a friend who is connected via LinkedIn, you might ask for them to introduce you.

Be sure you join relevant groups within the pharmacy. For example:

http://www.linkedin.com/skills/skill/Pharmacists

http://www.linkedin.com/groups/PHARMACIST-CAREER-NETWORK-143457

One last tip on LinkedIn. Be sure that your profile is updated regularly. Make sure that it’s not simply a resume.

Another tactic is to join social media groups of pharmacy companies. For example, like the Facebook page of CVS, Walgreens, etc. This will help you keep up with the company so that, should you land an interview, you will be up on the latest news from the company.

Consider setting up a Twitter account. If you already have a personal one, consider setting up one dedicated to your job search. Make sure the tone is upbeat and positive. Share what you learn from your job search, plus retweet insights from key contacts, to help improve the relationship. Also, tweet about the latest industry news to help establish yourself as being engaged in the industry.

One thing: On all your social media profiles and posts, be sure to make the reader aware that you are looking for a job as a Pharmacy Assistant. Many jobs aren’t advertised and, even if they don’t have positions available, they will remember you when they do…and, because you are connected with them, they’ll know where you are.

The Original Post is Located Here: Getting a Pharmacy Assistant Job Using Social Media

The new requirement affects candidates depending upon the number of times they have attempted to pass the exams before March 1:

• Five or more times: Candidates who have taken the NAPLEX or MPJE five or more times by March 1, 2013, will have one more chance to pass the exams if given approval to test by a board of pharmacy.
• Fewer than five times: Candidates who have attempted to pass the exams fewer than five times by March 1, 2013, will be subject to the new five-attempt limitation.  

Read the article…

The Original Post is Located Here: Five Attempt Limit for NAPLEX and MPJE Exams

Entry Level Positions

Coming in with no prior experience, the employee will work closely with other personnel ensuring safety and will learn as they work the different types of medicine and whether or not they can be cut in half, the different dosages and various other aspects of the drug itself. Many will go on to school and earn degrees and become Technicians or Pharmacists.

Clerical Side

Answering the phones and receiving prescriptions will be a big part of the work day as well as recording pertinent patient information. Ability to use fax machines, copiers and other office equipment is required and will be used on a daily basis. Labels must be typed out with accuracy and affixed to the bottles. Good communication skills and the ability to work with the public are skills that are necessary. Record maintenance is another skill used in this position and total accuracy is a must.

Inventory

Inventory is something that a person in this position will find that they are doing on a regular basis. Stock must be rotated and managed and records maintained. Incoming shipments need to be accounted for, any paperwork related to it handled, and the medication restocked. The ability to work under stress and attention to detail is very important.

Work Environment

The work environment is going to be that of a brightly lit area, very sterile and possibly a little bit on the cool side. It will be expected of you to be neatly dressed and clean. Because of having to stand for the biggest part of the day, comfortable shoes are a must.

Cash Register

In a lot of pharmacies the assistant may be responsible for running the cash register. Good communication skills must be used as you interact directly with the public. You must learn to remain calm and friendly with people who may become upset or frustrated. You may also need to have a working knowledge of Medicaid and insurance policies.

The position of pharmacy assistant can be a very rewarding career that will enable you to work directly with the public, grow in your marketable skills, and is pretty much recession proof as people will always be in need of their different medications.

The Original Post is Located Here: A Brief Description Of The Role Of A Pharmacy Assistant

Here are a few things you can do to help assess whether a pharmacy assistant role is right for you.

First, spend some time reflecting on what makes you happy. What drives you? Most people who join the pharmacy cite two main personal traits; they like to help people and they like to have a career path. They like having the option of moving to a Pharma Tech position or maybe a Pharmacist.

Another thing to consider is lifestyle. Most pharmacies in the US are open on weekends. There’s a good chance that you will work weekend shifts when you first join. Most people are fine with this but some people with kids prefer to spend the weekend with the family.

One of the best ways to assess whether this career is right for you is to speak to people you know, plus people who know the pharmacy. If you have friends that work in the pharmacy, that’s a good place to start because they know your personality and what’s required from the job.

For friends and family who don’t know about the assistant role, it’s a good idea to give them a job description to read before meeting with you. Then, ask them whether they see you being successful at this job. Ask them to be candid. Do they have any reservations? Are there areas they feel you’d need to improve to be successful.

For people who don’t know you but know the pharmacy, ask if you can buy them a coffee to discuss the pharmacy. Bring a resume, to show where you are today, but be sure to explain that you aren’t looking for a job right now, just assessing the career path.

The pharmacy requires ongoing studying and education. This is another area that you will need to assess whether it’s a good fit got you. The career doesn’t normally lend itself to people who aren’t interested in continual education.

Finally, be sure to take your time. You shouldn’t be in a rush to decide. If you aren’t sure, see if you can get a job at a retail store that has a pharmacy. This will give you the chance to observe and ask questions.

The Original Post is Located Here: Aren’t Sure Whether a Healthcare Career is For you?

The FDA said…

The use of benzocaine gels and liquids for mouth and gum pain can lead to a rare but serious—and sometimes fatal—condition called methemoglobinemia, a disorder in which the amount of oxygen carried through the blood stream is greatly reduced.  In the most severe cases, says FDA pharmacist Mary Ghods, R.Ph., methemoglobinemia can result in death.

And children under 2 years old appear to be at particular risk.

Read the FDA warning…

Methemoglobinemia is a condition that manesfests itself by the presence of above-normal level of metHb (Methemoglobin)

Methemoglobinemia is a blood disorder in which an abnormal amount of methemoglobin — a form of hemoglobin — is produced. Hemoglobin is the molecule in red blood cells that distributes oxygen to the body. Methemoglobin cannot release oxygen.

In methemoglobinemia, the hemoglobin is unable to release oxygen effectively to body tissues.

Read the article…

The FDA recommends non-drug remedies, including using chilled teething rings or applying pressure to the child’s gums. BabyCenter.com also suggests using pressure and offers interesting advice on how to also entertain the baby.

Teething babies crave pressure on their gums since it helps distract their brain from the sensation of teething pain.

If your baby rejects cold items, chewing on a room-temperature teether may do the trick. Some teethers even vibrate. If one type doesn’t work for your child, consider trying another.

Or give this strategy a go: Rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger until the friction makes a squeaky sound. Not only will the pressure feel good, your baby will probably love the sound your finger makes. Read the article…

Alternatively, you can do what this little dude is doing…..

The Original Post is Located Here: FDA Warns Against Topical Solutions for Teething Babies

Job Reputation

Be sure that the school that you choose is accredited and has a good reputation among recruiters. Don’t depend on the school to tell you this, ask some of the hiring managers and Chief Pharmacists of their opinion.

Ultimately, the reason you go to college is to prepare yourself to get a job after you graduate. You’ll need to decide which school will help you do that best. Look for one with a career services center that offers résumé and cover letter critiques and mock interviews, and that posts internship and job opportunities. Many schools host networking events and career fairs, as well. Read the article…

The most important factor in choosing a college is fit.

NPR offers the best advice, recommending that it’s important that the pharmacy assistant school you select is the best fit for your objectives, your lifestyle and your budget.

Choosing a college because your friends are going there or because of where it ranks on a list does not take into account who you are and who you will become. College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won. Finding a good fit requires time and thoughtfulness. Read the article…

Cost

Cost is an important factor. An entry level Pharmacy Assistant can make around $25-35k per year. That being the case, be sure not to load up on loans that will take years to pay off. From MoneyCrashers.com:

Unless you already have a large college savings fund, cost is probably an important metric for you. Some prospective students may look at pricier schools, but for others, it’s important to afford college without taking out student loans. Remember to include room and board, along with tuition, when calculating the total costs for attending a school.  Read the article…

Online vs Traditional Classroom

There are many online schools, if there isn’t a school near you. This learning experience is gaining traction amongst educators and a recent studied concluded that some online students outperformed classroom students.

Over the 12-year span, the report found 99 studies in which there were quantitative comparisons of online and classroom performance for the same courses. The analysis for the Department of Education found that, on average, students doing some or all of the course online would rank in the 59th percentile in tested performance, compared with the average classroom student scoring in the 50th percentile. That is a modest but statistically meaningful difference. Read the article…

Note that the online vs traditional decision can boil down to your personality and whether you have the motivation to learn remotely.

There are many other factors that go into selecting a school and you should take your time in finding the right one for you.

One more thing, here’s a video on finding a college. While it’s a humorous video, it has some good pointers. Enjoy.

The Original Post is Located Here: Tips on Finding the Right Pharmacy Assistant School

Tips on Negotiating a Pharmacy Assistant Salary

How To Negotiate Salary (washingtonpost.com)

Most job seekers are anxious about salary discussions and want to get it over with as soon as possible. But according to Wendleton, “The person who brings up a number first loses the game.”

She says it is important to talk about the job before you talk salary.

“Create a job (offer) that suits both you and the hiring manager. Make sure it is at an appropriate level for you. If the job is too low-level, don’t ask about the money, upgrade the job!” Wendleton says.

Once you have negotiated the job and have an offer in hand, that’s when you should start salary negotiations.

Read the full article…

Negotiating with Your Employer (American Pharmacists Association)

Frame your negotiations in terms of a long-term relationship.

For instance, if you agree to work at the less desirable store, make it clear that you are doing so as a step toward being placed in a more desirable location.

Be the one to frame the problem being negotiated.

How a problem is framed will often determine the type of solution devised. A problem that is defined as “insufficient staffing resulting
in pharmacist overwork” may result in a different solution than the same problem defined as “insufficient staffing affecting patient safety.” If you can get your employer to see the problem as you see it, your chances for a desirable solution are better.

Read the full article…

Salary and Benefit Negotiation (CareerPharm)

Be realistic. Don’t make crazy demands that are unrealistic.. Do your research ahead of time and come up with a realistic number that makes sense to your lifestyle. Consider whether company benefits like 401K contributions and match, pension plans, commuter reimbursements, tuition reimbursement and other financial rewards balance a salary that is lower than you might have expected.

Read the full article…

Most of the resources recommend taking your time and be sure that you focus on the value you bring to the pharmacy assistant role.

The Original Post is Located Here: How to Negotiate Your Salary

Many different colleges and universities offer classes in direct patient care. Among those that have a specific program, almost all offer and associate’s degree. Students completing these programs are awarded a degree and allowed to take the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination Practical Nurse). Upon passing this test, they are licensed to practice as nurses in the US.

Many nursing schools offer the option to continue on and obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. This prepares the students for promotion to the next level in their profession, the RN or registered nurse. Upon completing this course of study, students must sit for the NCLEX-RN and pass it to be licensed as RNs. The higher level of education required makes this a higher paying position than that of LPN.

It is also possible to obtain a Master of Science degree in this field. It is mainly experienced nurses who have worked for a while as RNs that pursue this level of education. Completion allows them to practice skills above the normal requirements for RN. They may also become instructors and teach the next generation of nurses.

Some schools offer the opportunity to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. This degree provides the stepping stones needed by RNs to advance their careers and specialize in certain areas. They become certified nurse specialists with focus on specific groups of patients, including newborns, children, and infants, the elderly, and others. They may also take courses that allow them to become nurse practitioners and prescribe certain medications for specific conditions under the supervision of a physician.

Regardless of what level of education is being pursued by students in nursing schools, they will spend time both in the classroom studying theory and in the field performing certain tasks as practical preparation. This hands-on training under the supervision of nurses who already practice helps to drive home the lessons learned in the classroom and lets candidates see firsthand whether they are truly the type of person who can function as a nurse.

Many students who show excellent performance academically find that they are unable to carry out the duties required of them in a practical setting. However, the reason for the practical training is actually to let the students practice the skills they have learned under the direct supervision of more experienced individuals. It also provides an opportunity to see if the candidate favors one type of patient over another and whether continuing one to a more specialized degree might be desired.

Nursing schools teach a number of specialized courses, even at the beginner’s level. This is because nurses work with patients and provide the bulk of their care when treated on an inpatient basis. Doctors come around once or twice a day to check on the patient, but the nurses are the ones actually providing the care and dispensing medications.

The Original Post is Located Here: Nursing Schools Not All The Same

Assistant Nurses provide support to Registered and Enrolled Nurses in the day to day operations of providing clinical care to patients in hospitals and daily care to residents of nursing homes. The registered nursing staff to nursing assistant staff is often at a ratio of one registered nurse to two or three nursing assistants.

Nursing Assistant Career Opportunities

Nurse assistants predominantly now form part of an ageing workforce and this is why health care institutions are trying to attract younger staff to fill an increase in vacant full time positions. As the ageing workforce reaches retirement age positions are very difficult to be filled due to the lack of qualified staff.

This situation is occurring worldwide, not just in some countries, but in countries all around the world.

This is why a savvy younger person who wishes to travel around the world on a working holiday will look towards training and certification as an Assistant in Nursing. Qualifications of an assistant nurse are recognized worldwide and gaining local country accreditation is a simple and straight forward process.

Imagine travelling throughout Europe or down to Australia working in major hospitals and institutions for your working holiday. Not only will you be able to live in the local community but will have a base to work from for local travel and sightseeing.

Assistant in Nursing Pay Rates

Assistant nursing staff often receive a high hourly rate from anywhere between $15.00 to $30.00 per hour and more when working night shift or afternoon shift. Allowances often include overtime rates, public holiday rates and shift work rates.

Generally the nursing assistant staff works an eight hour shift and can be offered work up to five maybe six days per week. The sixth day being purely overtime and this can double the hourly rate of pay.

Assistant in Nursing JobsTraining and certification to become an Assistant in Nursing is a two part training course consisting of theory and practical training. The courses can last anywhere from two weeks to three months depending on the intensity of the training provided.

Once training has been completed the aspiring nursing assistant will sit a sixty question multiple choice examination and then a practical examination to demonstrate their skills.

Don’t worry because the questions and practical tests are based on every day duties performed by the nursing assistants and soon become second nature. Once the examinations have been passed the student is provided with a certificate.

The certificate then allows the nursing assistant to practise their trade as an assistant in nursing and receive local accreditation from the relevant Government agency.

In some countries nursing assistants are known as CNA or Certified Nursing Assistant, Assistant in Nursing, Nurse Assistant or Assistant Nurse. In Australia for example a qualified nursing assistant is known as a Certified AIN whereas in the United States they are referred to as CNA Certification staff.

Author: Terry Glass

http://aincertification.com

The Original Post is Located Here: Assistant In Nursing CNA Certification And Training