DISPENSING AS CAREER

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 60, 8 September 1937, Page 17

DISPENSING AS CAREER

Kor a girl of active habits of mind and body the post of dispenser to a doctor, or a firm of doctors, is a pleasant one, states the "Queen."

A.'girl who contemplates such a career has to qualify for it by passing the Assistant's Examination of the Apothecaries' Hall. No preliminary examination is necessary, but the candidate must produce a certificate from a former teacher stating she has received a good general education. The Assistant's Examination—the "Hall" as it is popularly called—is not a stiff one. Eight months must be taken over the course, and, for a girl of average ability, this should be ample. The examination consists of three parts— Materia Medica, Chemistry, and Practical Dispensing.

The necessary instruction can be obtained at a pharmaceutical school, where the student will be prepared for all branches of the examination. The fees of such a school are not high', but it is possible to prepare for the examination by an even less expensive method.

- Any girl who is accustomed to work on her own can learn the greater part of the required Materia Medica at home. This consists chiefly of memorising the preparations used in pharmacy, and their doses. • If this is done at home, the student not only saves the school fees, but also the cost of living in London. The Chemistry and Practical Dispensing must be studied under qualified' teachers, but it is usually possible to attend classes in these subjects at a technical school. In some cases instruction in practical dispensing can be obtained from a chemist at a' very reasonable fee in return for certain services, but unless the chemist "h question is in the habit of preparing, Students for this examination, the advantages of this course are doubtful. '

j Once qualified, tuere are various agencies which will .help the dispenser to find a job, and some schools run an agency for their ex-pupils. A newlyqualified girl is strongly advised to begin by, taking a post where more than one dispenser is kept. She will there learn her work with less harassment of spirit than if she is single^ handed.. Should she decide to work alone it will be better for her to try for a post with a single doctor, rather than for a firm of two or. three. SALARIES VARY. Salaries vary very much, according to the hours of work, etc. .They usually begin at £2 10s to £3 a week, but may rise to considerably more where the dispenser is head of two or three, j In some practices the dispenser is provided with a furnished room at the dispensary, and in such a case the salary is naturally smaller. Hours of work.vary in.different pracllces. An average working*"day is from

ADVICE TO GIRLS AT HOME

9 to 10, 11 or 12, according to the amount of work; then from 2 to 3, and again from 6 to 7.30. From 9 to 10 and from 6 to 7.30 are generally surgery hours, and the dispenser is then kept pretty busy making «P prescriptions for the patients who call on the doctor at this time. At other times she makes up stock mixtures, as well as the medicines required by patients who have been visited during the day. and "repeats." which' are asked for by messenger or telephone.

The dispenser also keeps the practice books, and sends but the quarterly bills—a very busy, time, this. She receipts all accounts paid, and enters the amount in the cash book. In a panel practice she has charge of the panel cards file. In addition, she answers the telephone and books appointments, sterilises instruments when

they are needed, and orders drugs and dressings. If she has a knowledge of nursing however slight, it is a great asset, as she may often be called on fo assist at such minor operations as aro performed at the surgery. It is also her duty to keep the dispensary tidy.

Some doctors employ a dispenserchaufieur, when the hours are, of course, longer, and the pay correspondingly higher.

About three weeks" holiday is usually giver on full pay. In some practices an occasional weekend is also given, and. the dispenser gets a half-day a week free. In most practices there is a certain amount of Sunday work, but this is kept as light as possible.

' The "Hall" Certificate entitles, the' dispenser to work for a doctor or firm of doctors. If a girl prefers to work in a hospital or institution or for a chemist, it is advisable to pass the Minor Examination of the Pharmaceutical Society. This certificate also permits '. her to open a. chemist's shop of her own. The examination is a good deal stiffer than the "Hall," and entails a longer training, bi}t that, as Mi\ Kipling Says, "is another story."