Advancing The Profession of Pharmacy

Pharmacy’s Search for Meaning and Relevance

by | Dec 4, 2020 | Consulting Pharmacist Education, Industry Tips

My absolute favorite book is “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl.

My entire audiobook is highlighted with my comments and notes, so I can go back and re-listen when I get stuck.

I ran across one of Frankl’s quotes in a career development book I’m currently reading, “The Business of Being” by Laurie Buchanan.

The quote that struck me was this:

“Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life; everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfillment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be replaced, thus, everyone’s task is unique as his specific opportunity to implement it.” – Victor Frankl.

In 2015, I began searching for my vocation.

I thought if I could build a side business it would allow me the opportunity to leave my job as a pharmacist, THEN pursue whatever my “mission in life” was…

I was curious about online business, creating courses, passive income, etc.

Most of my interest stemmed from frustration and being stressed by the rigors of our profession, like many of you are, I know.

I thought, “If I can create a new revenue stream to take the financial pressure off, maybe I can find My Thing.

Strange now looking back, My Thing is and always was being a pharmacist, just a very different KIND OF PHARMACIST.”

I’m more proud of being a pharmacist than ever before, and I believe our future is brighter than ever.

For the first time in my career, our practice model is EVOLVING.

  • Pharmacists are screening patients for COVID in rural communities that have no other access to healthcare.
  • Pharmacists are rounding the COVID units and dosing antiretrovirals for ICU patients.
  • Pharmacists being asked about prevention, treatments, cures, and vaccines more than ever.

Can Amazon do that?

Last week I served on an expert panel of pharmacists discussing Amazon’s impact on Community Pharmacy.

Here’s the replay link if you’re interested.

Amazon Pharmacy's Impact on Independent Pharmacy - ReplayAmazon Pharmacy’s Impact On Independent Pharmacy

We talked mostly about how Community Pharmacies can differentiate their services from the services of the “other guys” through shifting from a product based business model to a service based business model.

You can take your knowledge and experience, and interests and create a VOCATION.

I was hoping you wouldn’t ask me how to find a job in pharmacy because I haven’t had a JOB in YEARS…

Today, I’m extremely grateful that I’ve found My Thing.

If you’d like help finding your Thing as well, I’d be honored to help you.

About the Author

Blair Thielemier, PharmD, is a business development consultant specializing in pharmacist-led billing models. She has set the industry standard for virtual pharmacy conferences with the Elevate Pharmacy Virtual Summit in 2017. She has consulted with national pharmacy organizations, drug wholesalers, point of sale companies, and Fortune 5 health insurers. She has books and online courses available for individuals looking to leverage their pharmacy knowledge into monetized clinical programs at PharmapreneurAcademy.com She speaks internationally about trends in leveraging pharmacists to improve value-based care.

 

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