Can someone please explain the chain of command in pharmacies. Who do pharmacists answer to and are those positions held by pharmacists or non-pharmacists?
Retail:
Pharmacist to Pharmacy Manager to Pharmacy District Manager. The Store Manager is considered above the Pharmacy Manager as well and dependning on your store manager will try to thrust his will a little or a lot upon the pharmacy. Normally, if you have an overzealous store manager you can get your DM to make him back off. I've never had much problems with that, most are well intentioned and are usually a good resourse and support if needed.
Pharmacy DM is usually a pharmacist, but I have heard more and more non-pharmacists are taking the position. Most PDM's are so far removed from the real world of pharmacy anyways, that it seems like it wouldn't make all that much difference. The PDM's I've had have been more clueless than the store managers as fare as my problems and needs.
Hospital:
Pharmacist to Pharmacy Director to Hospital Administrator. The Administrator can come from any walk of life, so could be a pharmacist, but that would be a rare commodity.
Originally posted by GravyRPH Retail:
Pharmacist to Pharmacy Manager to Pharmacy District Manager. The Store Manager is considered above the Pharmacy Manager as well and dependning on your store manager will try to thrust his will a little or a lot upon the pharmacy. Normally, if you have an overzealous store manager you can get your DM to make him back off. I've never had much problems with that, most are well intentioned and are usually a good resourse and support if needed.
My store manager never steps near the pharmacy.... i maybe see her once a week... it's those assistant store managers that sometimes have a bit of 'power' issues... but i just brush them off.... my DM is pretty laid back and we have a good relationship... he's quite young himself so we sort of relate in terms of 'social' issues, and he's not too hard and fast in terms of getting the right numbers... he's a pharmacist and became DM shortly before he promoted me to a pharmacy manager...i also worked with him while i was a student... so I've known him for almost my whole pharmacy career
in terms of salary..... i only make a few dollars more than a regular staff pharmacist and there's sales incentive/bonus once a year based on profit/performance..... so it's not too large of a difference in terms of pay... but i get to come and go as i please... sometimes 😉
