Lerene Van Niekerk

• Recommended OTC devices or medication options to help mitigate individual symptoms.
• Developed policies and procedures for effective pharmacy management.
• Discussed medical histories with patients in effort to provide most effective medical advice.
• Educated patients on possible drug interactions, potential side effects, and optimal methods of administration.
• Vaccinated patients to provide immunity against influenza, pneumonia, and other diseases.
• Supervised team of 2 front desk agents and helped to resolve issues arising during shifts.
• Monitored and managed pharmacy staff performance to maximize productivity and customer satisfaction.
• Helped patients overcome vaccine hesitancy by providing facts about efficacy and safety data.
• Evaluated patient histories to assess medication compliance and spot issues such as doctor shopping or excessive usage.

In 2004 I started Pacaltsdorp Pharmacy with 2 staff members. Since then, I managed the pharmacy, and it grew to 5 full time staff members.

I have trained one pharmacy assistant as well as a pharmacy intern.

I am daily involved with most of the important decisions taken at the pharmacy.

I have to balance patient satisfaction and staff satisfaction on a daily basis.

I believe that I am a good leader and can work well with a team.

I am a fast learner and can take on anything coming my way.

• Counseled customers on medications, appropriate dosage and potential side effects.
• Organized client information into correct profiles while maintaining confidentiality.
• Counted and labeled prescriptions with correct item and quantity.
• Assisted pharmacist by filling prescriptions for customers and responding to patient questions regarding prescription and medication-specific issues.
• Answered customer phone calls to address questions and provide assistance with prescriptions.
• This was my first retail pharmacy job as a qualified pharmacist.
• After the first year, I realised that I would like to start my own pharamcy , and I applied for a pharmacy license in Pacaltsdorp.
• With help from my dad, who is also a pharmacist as well as a pharmacy owner, I opened Pacaltsdorp pharmacy September 2004.
• In October 2008 I opened a second pharmacy, Conville Pharmacy in George. I had Xhosa as a third language at school, and enjoyed working in Conville for 18 months. At this stage I had a full time pharmacist working in Pacaltsdorp Pharmacy.
• After my first child was born and the second on the way, I sold the Conville pharmacy in 2010.

• Interpreted prescription orders, dispensed medications, and counseled patients on drugs.
• Maintained appropriate drug records and completed reports as necessary.
• Educated patients about possible drug interactions and gave special administration instructions.
• Communicated issues and reactions to specific medications to intercept potential errors.
• George Hospital was where I was placed after my internship year.
• This was my only experience of hospital pharmacy, and I enjoyed learning all about the hospital.
• I had a chance to train and supervise assistants, I was on call on weekends.
• I also had a chance to work in the oncology section and mix the chemo medication . I would like to have opportunity to work in this area again
• I had to go on rounds to different wards and check stock.