Angela:

Kudos on using your technology to make your work easier. I have one small suggestion. Instead of using your PDA for work projects, why not use the wholesaler PDA? After you get past all the wholesaler programs, the thing is still essentially a regular PDA. A rather large PDA, but a PDA nonetheless. You could beam your Pharmacy contacts over to it, set your schedules, and you wouldn't have to worry about leaving it at home one day, because it never leaves work!

Also, if you have Documents-to-Go on your PDA, use can use it to format your static orders, like your Abbott order (you have a relatively small list of items to order every week). I did it when I was purchasing; I never knew when I'd be passing the storeroom and had a free minute to check the inventory. I'd whip out the handy PDA, check the inventory; when I got back to my office, I'd sync it to the computer and it's done! You have your order numbers and quantities to either input online or call it in. I did an article a few years back on Pharmacy uses for the PDA. if you want, I can email it to you.

Mike

Name of Facility: Kennedy Health System / 180

City, State: Teaching Hospital

Years as a Buyer: >30 (retired - for now...)

Munira,

I had posted under the thread (topic) "hopefully someone will respond to this job related question"
I wrote my typical weekly schedule. Scroll down and take a look at it. Thanks for posting and what a great conference it was.

Beth

Thank you Beth,
I got your schedule.

Mike, wish you had told me not to become "INDISPENSIBLE". I am in that trend and although I have taken it upon myself to cross-train someone, its still hard since the other person still does shift work.
I am a constant referral even for the hospital staff.

Some days I just want to quit!!

Munira:

To me, 'indispensable' is synomous with 'trapped'. I had a time when I was virtually running my pharmacy - ordering, scheduling, disciplining, meetings, etc. During that period, I hadn't a scheduled day off (except weekends) or a vacation for three years! When we finally got a real director, I was so relieved to become a 'nobody' again! I was told by my friends at work (the few that I had left) that they could see the change in me after all that pressure was lifted.

The reason I'm telling you this is if you continue to put this pressure on yourself, you will change into a monster, or at least someone you won't like. It's good to be needed and relied upon, but there is life after pharmacy. Continue your cross training, take your lunches, and for Pete's sake, give yourself a break!

Mike

City, State: www.pharmacypurchasing.com

Mike,
Thank you for your advice!!
My friend says its my personality to take on more!!

However, You will be proud of me---I took a vacation and went up North with the 2 kids I have left--just 2 weeks before the PPO conference. A week before that went to the beach and even called in sick once! I've even asked my supervisor not to give me the annual IV practical because I would not be compounding at all.

I don't mind my job but its the additional duties that I get volunteered for that causes distress.

Opps did not think it sounded that bad--I have 4 kids-- One on her own-one in college and the 2 I have left at home...

sorry

OH, LIGHTEN UP!

You're not put in the buyer position because your Department can't depend on you! The fact that you apolgize for taking time for yourself proves your dedication to your career choice.

No one will ever slight you for doing that. Me, I'm sad to say that I've only taken nine days off this year - five to work the Conference and four to travel to Michigan for my wife's grandmother's funeral.

So I say - YOU GO, GIRL!

Mike

City, State: www.pharmacypurchasing.com

Mike,
It is funny that you mention "career choice". I was a tech, am a buyer. I am in school for my MSA and want to do something but don't know what....Does anyone have ideas?

Name of Facility: 222 bed

City, State: Acute care teaching hospital Trauma II center

Years as a Buyer: 5 years

With your back ground in Pharmacy...What about checking into job opportunities with the major wholesalers, pyxis or any other dispensing system that you may have experience with. You can go on-line to many of these companies and see what positions are available. Then there's always the major drug companies. Get on-line and click on employment opportunites on their web sites. It doesn't hurt to look. It might spark some other ideas.

You know, if anyone remembers till next year, maybe we could recommend to buyers who are 'looking' to bring a few resumes. You've got 80-plus potential employers, and it won't be the first time a buyer made the jump to sales rep. It won't hurt, and ...who knows?

Name of Facility: Kennedy Health System - Cherry Hill Div. / 180 beds

City, State: Teaching Hospital

Years as a Buyer: > 30 (retired - for now...)

Beth,
Mike,
Yes I love your ideas!! But the sad thing is that I can't find other job opportunities for pharmacy buyers.
I am hoping my degrees will open new avenues.

Munira

Name of Facility: 222 bed

City, State: Acute care teaching hospital Trauma II center

Years as a Buyer: 5 years

Munira:

There ARE no job opportunities for Pharmacy Buyers! There are, however, opportunites for a person with purschasing, negotiating, organizational, accounting and interpersonal skills. In this case, your individual skills are greater than the whole. Add the degree you're pursuing and you've got a package few employers can ignore. For instance, it was my skills as a buyer that got me my present job, even though it is not as a pharmacy buyer.

The fact that you're looking for other opportunities says to me that you've got to look outside the box of contention. Evaluate what you can do, then look around to see what fits best. Like I tell people about computers - they can do anything - as long as you ask the right question!

Mike

Name of Facility: Kennedy Health System - Cherry Hill Div. / 180 beds

City, State: Teaching Hospital

Years as a Buyer: > 30 (retired - for now...)

Thanks Mike

Name of Facility: 222 bed

City, State: Acute care teaching hospital Trauma II center

Years as a Buyer: 5 years