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There must be many pharmacists out there like me. I’m a community pharmacist – though I’ve been working at C+D for the last few years – and while my work is challenging and interesting, I’m always on the lookout for that extra something to push me that bit further.
So when I found out the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) needed a new tutor for Croydon, I thought I’d find out more. A few emails later and I found myself filling in an application form, then going up to Manchester for an interview (CPPE is based at the University of Manchester).
Just an hour after the interview, my mobile rang. I accepted the offer of the position, then sat back, thinking: “Oh no, now I’ve got to actually do the job!”
Any concerns I had about joining the ranks of CPPE tutors were compounded only a few days after starting, when I was inundated with emails and post. Had I booked events for my area for the spring term? Um, no, I had no idea where to start with that. Had I booked onto the CPPE national meeting? No to that as well; I didn’t even know when it was. And so on.
And then I discovered three wonderful things: (1) CPPE HQ staff are always happy to help; (2) no question is too minor or ridiculous to be answered, and – best of all – (3) emails are responded to at lightning speed. A couple of weeks later, after I’d been sent the CPPE tutor manual and handover notes from the previous tutor, I’d managed to organise two events for the spring term and was feeling very proud of myself.
Things only got better when I went to the two-day national meeting. Attended by every CPPE employee, including HQ staff and all tutors, it was a brilliant opportunity to meet lots of new people and find out what we’d be expected to do over the next few months. And there were plenty of other new tutors, who had the same questions and concerns as me (all of which were answered).
Another couple of months on and it’s all going well. As well as organising and facilitating events (which are incredibly rewarding), I’ve made myself known as the local face of CPPE by meeting with the LPC, RPSGB branch, and PCT.
You don’t have to be incredibly clever or a clinical expert to be a CPPE tutor (which is a relief, as I’m neither). But you do have to have a good memory, and be efficient and organised.
Other than that, there doesn’t seem to be a profile for a typical tutor. In fact, the wide variety of backgrounds – the vast majority of tutors do the role on top of one or more other jobs, which range from community and PCT positions to working in hospitals and academia – is one of the strengths of CPPE. If you ever have a question, someone, somewhere will usually know the answer, or be able to point you in the right direction.
Knowing how to use the resources available to you: isn’t that what being a pharmacist is all about?
What’s the pay like?
About the same as locum rates
Interested?
For more information, email CPPE deputy director Matthew Shaw at matthew@cppe.ac.uk or telephone 0161 778 4000.