PSS Shining Star is a PSS initiative to showcase role models in retail pharmacies. This month's Shining Star is Ms Kim Tan Lay Khim from National Healthcare Group Pharmacy.

PSS Shining Star Interview

National Healthcare Group Pharmacy – Ms Kim Tan Lay Khim

1.              Why did you choose pharmacy as your profession?

Both my father and uncle were diagnosed with ischemic heart disease when I was pursuing my A-level examinations. Seeing them trying to juggle with taking multiple medications at different timings made me wonder if there were better ways to help them to cope with the management of their medications. Upon searching the term “medication compliance” from the internet, I realized the importance of the pharmacists’ roles in partnering with other healthcare professionals in managing a patient’s medical condition. This paved the road towards the pharmacy profession for me.

2.              Why did you choose to be a community pharmacist?

I have always enjoyed the continuity of patient care at the community setting. Working in the polyclinic pharmacy allows me to follow up with my patient’s medical condition. It is a very rewarding experience when I see my patient’s medical condition improve after a detailed medication counseling session with us.

Being a pharmacist at the polyclinic also means we are immersed in the best of both worlds; we are taking charge of the smooth running of pharmacy dispensing services, while having the opportunity of running ambulatory clinics at the same time.

3.              What helped/ motivated you to be where you are today?

Constant encouragement and positive feedback from patients affirmed my belief that we pharmacists are indeed essential in the care of patients. Moreover, being able to work with a dynamic team of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians has shaped my capabilities further.

4.              Who would you say is your role model, who inspired you to excel in the pharmacy field that you choose?

I do not have a specific role model. Every encounter with patients and my team members; be it a good or bad one serves as a learning point for me.

5.              What is your advice for your fellow pharmacists and for people who are considering this career?

Embrace change and stay relevant. “Change is the only constant”, especially in the healthcare arena, in which clinical practice guidelines are being constantly updated. As a pharmacist we have to stay relevant by keeping ourselves abreast of the latest updates in medicine or healthcare. This helps to ensure that we deliver the most appropriate care and advice to our patients and other healthcare professionals.

Stay compassionate. It is inevitable that there will always be ups and downs in our daily encounters with patients. Being able to imbue compassion in each and every encounter with our patients is pertinent in providing the best care for them.

6.              Given that Singapore will be experiencing one in three citizens aged 65 and above by 2030, how do you think pharmacists can contribute to the healthcare of this group of people?

Being pharmacists, we are well equipped with the knowledge in medication management. This group of patients is at a higher risk of poly-pharmacy. It is my vision to have all patients who are aged 65 and above to have their medication reviewed by their “family pharmacist” at least on a yearly basis.

7.              What is the most memorable moment in your pharmacy career?

This was the moment I received the NHG Pharmacy Teaching Award. This served as an important recognition and affirmation for my teaching efforts in developing budding pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

8.              Describe your career progression path.

Upon completion of my pre-registration training at Alexandra Hospital in year 2010, I decided to join the community setting as I have always enjoyed the continuity of patient care at such settings. Hence, I joined National Healthcare Group (NHG) Pharmacy since then.

I was appointed as the vice chairperson of the Medication Therapy Management (MTM) workgroup for NHG pharmacy. Thereafter, we set up the pilot MTM clinic at Jurong and Choa Chu Kang Polyclinics in 2011.

I represented NHG pharmacy to serve in the PSS Pharmacy Week Committee in 2012. Subsequently, I was invited to Mediacorp TV 8 “Zao An Nin Hao” live talk show to discuss about the importance of maintaining a medication list.

In 2013, I was appointed as adjunct lecturer for Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Pharmacy Science Undergraduates to deliver modules on “Effective communication” and “Patient Counseling Skills”. This was the same year in which I was nominated as the “Best Adjunct Lecturer” by the students and also received the “NHG Teaching Award for Junior Preceptors”

I embarked on the Clinical Pharmacist Preparatory Programme (CPPP) under NHG in 2014 as I strongly believe that a pharmacist must be well-equipped in all clinical aspects.

I manage a team of 4 other Pharmacists, 24 Pharmacy Technicians, 4 Retail staff and 2 Health Attendants at Jurong Polyclinic, serving around 900 to 1100 patients a day. It is a fast paced environment that sustains my adrenaline rush and enthusiasm for patient care.

I am currently involved in setting up of the Pioneer Family Healthcare Centre which is upcoming in 2017. This will involve a new care concept which uses a teamlet care model. My team members and I are very excited about this new care model and how we, as pharmacists, can contribute towards providing pre-consult medication reconciliation and clinical services to our patients.

9.              Can you describe a typical day at work?

A typical day at work involves counselling patients on their prescribed medications and answering drug enquiries from both the public and other healthcare professionals in the clinic. On some afternoons, I run ambulatory clinics such as Anti-coagulation Clinic, Smoking Cessation Clinic and Medication Therapy Management clinic. As I also precept pharmacy students and pre-registration pharmacists, the majority of my time goes into training our future pharmacists in both the clinical and operational aspects of the profession.

10.           What do you think are the important skills that a pharmacist needs to be equipped with?

In my opinion, there are three important skills that a good pharmacist must possess:

                         i.              Good clinical knowledge skill. This is the basic foundation in providing holistic care for our patients.

                       ii.              Good listening and communication skills. Our job requires us to communicate with patients, their caregivers and other healthcare professionals effectively.

                      iii.              Public relation skills. A good pharmacist must be people-oriented as well. The ability to build rapport with our patients, colleagues and other healthcare providers is essential in winning their trust in the service that we provide.

11.           What is your wish list to your patients/ the public who comes to you?

Just ask your pharmacist!! (PSS tagline). Each and every one in our community should have their own “family pharmacist” to advise them about self-care and taking charge of their own medical condition(s). 

Bouquets for Ms Kim Tan

“Kim has been very patient, detailed and professional in explaining to us on each and every type of medications that we both are taking." - Mr and Mrs Lee, Pharmacy Week participants

"Thank you for your cheerful and helpful attitudes even though you are serving many patients. Keep up the good work." - Mr Chan