As a Relief Pharmacist it is important to keep in mind there are still expectations to be had from you. You see, a Client that is in the market for Relief help is looking for exactly that – Help! It could mean anything from; “I would like an extra day off help” to “The store is falling apart help”. It is important that no matter what the scenario may be, offering Professional/Knowledgeable/ and Courteous service to the Store’s Customer’s and the Store Staff ought to be your first priority.

What a Client looks for these days is quite simple. We call it “PIP” for short. Punctuality, Image, and Professionalism. These are but a few of the most basic requirements;

a) Punctuality – When a Client hires a Relief person, it’s because they need that day off. The worst thing to do is to keep them guessing whether or not you will show up.

b) Image – Relief work should not mean “Dress-Down Day”. You should be as presentable as what may be expected from you at your home store. If you intend to do a lot of Relief Work, it may be advisable to keep a spare plain white lab coat in your car. If you do not have a plain one, you may try to call ahead to see if one might be made available for you. Shoes should be clean and tidy.

c) Professionalism – The emphasis for you on a Relief assignment should be to make sure that all the customers are taken care of in a timely and courteous manner. The time you spend on the assignment should be devoted to the business in the dispensary and nothing else.

Remember, not all stores are created equal. Some are busier than others. Some provide more support than others. What is important is that you provide the best possible service to your ability under any circumstance. Treating the assignment like it was just another payday however, and it may not endear you to a welcome back. In fact, it may hinder any future work as the Pharmacy community is rather small. Not to mention that most Clients belong to a larger corporate entity and “Reputations” do get around. Properly done though, Relief work ought to have a “Fun” component to it. And with good quality service provided by you, The Client would surely ask to have you back in the future.