16 Pharmacy Manager Skills for Your Career and Resume

Pharmacy managers are responsible for the overall operation of a pharmacy. They ensure that the pharmacy runs smoothly and efficiently while also providing excellent customer service. Pharmacy managers need to have a wide range of skills to be successful in this role. If you’re interested in becoming a pharmacy manager, learning about the necessary skills can help you determine if this is the right career for you.

Organization

Organization is the ability to keep track of multiple tasks and responsibilities at once. As a pharmacy manager, you may be responsible for managing several different aspects of your job, including inventory management, employee scheduling and customer service. Having strong organizational skills can help you manage these duties effectively and ensure that all necessary steps are taken to complete each task.

Communication

Communication is the ability to convey information clearly and concisely. As a pharmacy manager, you may need to communicate with employees, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders. Strong communication skills can help you build trust and maintain positive relationships with others. They also allow you to relay complex information in an easy-to-understand way that allows your team members to take action on it.

Inventory Management

A pharmacy manager oversees the inventory of a drugstore, including ensuring that there is enough product to meet customer demand. They also manage the ordering and receiving of new products. This requires attention to detail as well as knowledge about how to track inventory and plan purchasing. It’s important for a pharmacy manager to have excellent organizational skills so they can keep track of all their responsibilities and ensure that the store has everything it needs to operate smoothly.

Decision Making

Pharmacy managers must be able to make decisions quickly and accurately. You may need to decide which products or services your pharmacy should offer, how much you should charge for them and what the best marketing strategies are for each option. You also need to make important decisions about personnel issues, such as hiring new employees or firing unsatisfactory ones.

Regulatory Compliance

Regulatory compliance is the ability to understand and follow laws, rules and regulations. As a pharmacy manager, you may be responsible for ensuring your staff follows all necessary guidelines when filling prescriptions or handling medical records. You also need to ensure that any products used in the production of medications are safe and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Medication Therapy Management

Medication therapy management is the ability to oversee and manage a pharmacy’s medication supply. This includes ensuring that all medications are properly stored, labeled and tracked. It also involves managing inventory levels of each medication and making sure there is enough supply for customers. Finally, it means overseeing the process of filling prescriptions by verifying insurance coverage, entering prescription information into a computer system and preparing medication doses.

Specialty Pharmacy

Specialty pharmacy is a growing area of the pharmaceutical industry, and it’s an important skill for any pharmacist to develop. Specialty pharmacists are trained in one or more areas of medicine, such as oncology or pediatrics, but they also have advanced knowledge about how to manage complex medication regimens that require multiple medications from different classes. This allows them to provide patients with the most effective treatment possible while minimizing side effects.

Flexibility

Flexibility is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Pharmacy managers often have to deal with unexpected situations, such as a shortage of staff or an increase in customer traffic. Flexibility allows you to adjust your approach and make quick decisions that can help you achieve success. For example, if one team member calls in sick, you may need to step in and fill their role yourself rather than assigning it to someone else.

IV Admixture

A pharmacist may need to understand the process of admixture, which is when a pharmacy technician mixes two or more ingredients together. This skill can help them ensure that they’re creating accurate medications for their patients. Pharmacy managers also use this skill when overseeing technicians who mix medications. They can check to make sure the technicians are following proper procedures and mixing the correct amounts of each ingredient.

Compounding

Compounding is the process of mixing ingredients to create a medication. Pharmacy managers need to understand how to compound medications so they can ensure their staff members are following proper protocol when creating drugs. They also use this skill when checking the accuracy of prescriptions, as they may need to verify if the prescription was written correctly or if it needs to be compounded before filling it.

Staff Supervision

Pharmacy managers often supervise a team of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, so it’s important to have strong supervisory skills. You can use your ability to supervise staff when managing a pharmacy or health care facility. This skill set includes providing feedback, resolving conflicts and assigning duties. It also involves ensuring that all employees are working productively and safely.

Problem Solving

Problem solving is the ability to identify and address issues that may arise in a work environment. As a pharmacist manager, you may need to solve problems related to production or customer service. For example, if there’s an issue with filling prescriptions on time, you can analyze the problem and find ways to resolve it. You may also use problem solving skills when addressing employee concerns or handling workplace disputes.

Patient Counseling

Patient counseling is the ability to provide guidance and support to patients regarding their health. As a pharmacy manager, you may need to counsel patients on how to use medications properly or what side effects they might experience. You can also help them understand any changes in their body that medication might cause. This skill set allows you to connect with patients and build trust between you and your team members.

Third Party Reimbursement

Third-party reimbursement is the process of receiving payment from an insurance company or government agency. Pharmacy managers must be able to negotiate with third parties and ensure that their pharmacy receives a fair price for the medications they provide. They also need to understand how to submit claims, track invoices and manage budgets related to third-party reimbursements.

Pharmacy Operations

Pharmacy managers need to have a thorough understanding of the pharmacy operations process. This includes knowing how to operate and maintain all equipment, inventory management, filling prescriptions, handling customer service issues and more. Having strong knowledge in this area can help you ensure your staff is operating efficiently and safely while also providing quality care for patients.

Leadership

Leadership is the ability to motivate and guide a team toward common goals. As a pharmacist, you may have already developed leadership skills through your previous work experience or education. However, as a manager, you are responsible for leading an entire pharmacy staff, so it’s important that you develop strong leadership abilities. Your employees look to you for guidance on how to perform their job duties and solve workplace challenges.

How Can I Learn These Pharmacy Manager Skills?

There are a few ways that you can learn the skills necessary to be a pharmacy manager. One way is to get a degree in pharmacy from an accredited school. This will give you the basic knowledge and skills needed to be a manager. Another way is to get experience working in a pharmacy. This will give you the opportunity to learn about the different aspects of pharmacy management. Finally, you can attend workshops and seminars that focus on pharmacy management. These will give you the chance to learn from experienced pharmacy managers and to network with other professionals in the field.