Eight months ago, he was offered a position as a pharmacist assistant at a pharmacy. Forty minutes driving from his place and an hour to get there by public transport. He never expects to be offered a position because the interview lasted less than five minutes, whereas he took around two hours to get there the first time.
Three weeks later, the manager rang, the Asian boy who normally fell out of favor compared to the locals was asked to join the pharmacy. The job hunting had finally ended for him, a new exciting journey were in his sight that day. At last, he could claim that he is part of the community pharmacy.
The new boy showed up for his first day, eager and enthusiastic only to realize the cold hard reality slapped him in his face. He was like a toddler learning how to walk, being in the way of everyone in the pharmacy. The only part he was good at - taking money from the customers and giving them back their changes, if any.
The job proved overwhelming to him. He knew nothing about medication. There was only three things in the store he was familiar with, the universally known Panadol, Bonjela his mother bought for his ulcer and the antacid his father constantly on, Eno. He knew nothing about any other products, or counseling, or any active ingredients, or scripts or which aisle customer could get their product request. Furthermore, he could not comprehend the locals, the way they speak, they joke or the request for recommendations.
He was being more and more fearful turning up for work. He was not of a great help at the pharmacy but still being paid. He was being paid but he did a bad job. No one had time to teach him anything, everyone was constantly busy except him. He needed to learn but has no means to do so, he did not knew where to start.
A month past, he stumbled upon his faithful companion on the bus and train since then, his primary care bible. He began devoured pages after pages since then, amazed and excited at the same time at the facts lay naked in front of him, a structured way of making more sense of his pharmacy at last.
His knowledge and learning curve shot up, he was contributing more to the pharmacy. He had a value, a justification, a reason of being paid. He was getting more and more comfortable being in a pharmacy. He found his niche, his comfort spot.
The fortunate boy is in fact I myself.
The first thing the part time pharmacist told me, the pharmacy (I work at) was sold to our competitor. The pharmacists seem to be affected the most, lost their job while others, are safe. If things are going to stay as planned, but I am already expecting pay cut on my high salary.
I was quite upset. Humans fear changes, and I am only human, and an Asian.
My manager gave me the valuable chance, and he did his 500 hours at the very exact pharmacy he was promoted to be my manager. He started out as an occupational therapist but he wanted more in his life. He chose pharmacy, started at the clinical side after he graduated and subsequently joined the community pharmacy after years of battling the red-tapes.
He was different, he was willing to teach, and it has been a joy to work alongside with him. He expects nothing from me; he just let me grow at my own pace.
He entrusts the Asian boy with his car and the banking of store's money after three months, even when the Asian boy has not been driving for a good eleven months. He protects the Asian boy from the abusive customers, he teaches the Asian boy pharmacology of certain drugs, he let the Asian boy did his first webster pack, he invited the Asian boy to trash at his house so that the Asian boy would not miss the Christmas party, he teaches the Asian boy the retail side of a community pharmacy, he takes it easy on the Asian boy.
He is different. I like him.
What can I do?
8 years ago
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