J for Junior

Introduction

Time has moved so quickly that I have become a Grade UF 48 Pharmacist without even realizing it.

• It is still vivid in my mind that when I was a provisional registered pharmacist (UF 41), I thought that UF 48 and UF 52 pharmacists must have worked for a very long time and had plenty of knowledge and experience.
• Yes, it has eventually reached to a point that I should feel that I am unworthy if I could not address juniors' questions.
• However, the truth is that the unstoppable time has made me a senior and no otherwise.

Not Ready

I still lack the confidence to give educational talks or presenting case studies to my peers.

• Even the knowledge that I share here, there could always be more to learn and I may not aware of.
• On the other hand, I prefer to sit in the audience seat and absorb new knowledge.

I am comfortable being a junior pharmacist, performing daily routines of screening, transcribing, filling and dispensing tasks in the outpatient pharmacy.

• All these tasks made me feel like I am actively contributing to my patients' well-being.
• I have no desire to make difficult administrative and management decisions or deal with audits and complaints.
• Undeniably, there are times that I wish to avoid facing those annoying patients.

Meanwhile, I have seen my batch mates become senior clinical pharmacists with certain credentials, and even juniors who have completed a Master's or PhD degree.

• It is strange to think that I am now sitting in the audience while junior pharmacists take the stage as speakers. Nonetheless, it is happening.

Point of No Return

According to a Malaysia Pharmacist Salary Survey participated by 232 pharmacists, there exists a "point of no return" for government pharmacists when they reach UF 48 (i.e. after 7 years of work). At this point, our salary is finally comparable to community pharmacists, and we become too comfortable with their current job.

• We tend not to consider changing occupation, unless with a compelling reason.

Summary

In life, complaining is never an effective strategy.

• Remember, if you are not willing to work for it, then do not complaining about not having it.