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By NPA policy manager Margaret Peycke

There can be huge personal satisfaction from working in a community setting €“ and that's all because of the human dimension.

Among the many challenges facing health services, it is often said that there are not enough doctors and nurses. Yet there is assumed to be a 'surplus' of pharmacists. So the question arises: how can this relatively plentiful pharmacist population be deployed in such a way that both helps pharmacists make the most of their professional skills and best meets the needs of patients and the healthcare system? Naturally, at the NPA we believe that there is a rewarding long-term future for pharmacists in the community pharmacy sector. Our policy and practice committee recently discussed pharmacy service models in the context of pharmacist numbers, professional service development opportunities and the general policy direction towards multi-disciplinary working.

There are a multitude of opportunities for adding value in the community pharmacy service and for building relationships across primary care €“ from medicines optimisation to supporting housebound patients, tackling health inequalities and reducing demands on general practice. Community pharmacies have already managed to expand their role while at the same time managing increases in prescription numbers. For many this has been achieved in part by up-skilling staff including pharmacy technicians. Other pharmacies have taken the route of employing a second pharmacist €“ or have combined both approaches.

SOPs and systems can only go so far

Whatever skill mix is used, it is important that a pharmacist is available to the patient walking into the pharmacy. SOPs and systems can only go so far; in many situations there is no substitute for the professional judgment of the pharmacist. Many clinical and public health interventions are built on the back of the medicines supply function €“ meaning safe, efficient delivery of services in the community, when and where the patient needs them. So, while the community pharmacy network can be complemented by models of care that involve, say, pharmacists employed by GP practices, the pharmacy network has to remain the core of pharmaceutical care in the community.

Personal satisfaction

There can be huge personal satisfaction from working in a community setting. Patients build relationships with their pharmacist, valuing and trusting the advice and support given. Community pharmacists get to know whole families and support them through good and bad times. This human dimension is one reason why a career in the community pharmacy sector can be .so fulfilling. NPA members are able to place advertisements for pre-reg placements on the NPA website. So if you are looking for a job in community pharmacy and you are a pre-reg, pharmacy technician or planning a summer placement or work experience, you can use our interactive map to find vacancies.