First 100 Days in the Life of a CCIO
Sarah Thompson and Ramandeep Kaur are amongst the first pharmacists in the country to become Chief Clinical Information Officers (CCIOs).
Sarah was recognised by the Pharmaceutical Journal in 2022 as a Woman to Watch, and Ramandeep was Highly Commended for the Dedication award for the NHS Year of the Digital Profession Awards 2022.
Both pharmacists have known each other for over eight years, having first become acquainted in 2014 after communicating about electronic prescribing and medicines administration. Their friendship has since grown and now they are determined to raise the profile of digital pharmacy, while embracing a concept of multidisciplinary working within digital teams.
They are passionate about inspiring the next generation of digital leaders and, after appointments to new roles during 2022, here they share their guide to the first 100 days of life as a CCIO through poetry and art.
“Sarah and I opted to do something a little bit different and fun,” explains Ramandeep. “I love writing poetry and Sarah has recently started sketchnoting, so this is a great opportunity to showcase our views through creative media.”
Poem
First hundred days: the ingredients for the CCIO cake
F irst CCIO role or a seasoned pro, each adventure a rollercoaster
I n at the deep end, new Trust and role, battling the feeling of an imposter
R unning to never ending meetings, tip 1, diary management is key
S eek out time in first 3 months to determine where your attendance is truly a must- see
T ip 2, complete your mandatory, systems, and clinical training, it will pay off
H andover from a predecessor is vital, if possible, tip 3 will save you
U nder your frantic glaze or bewildered stare your digital handover will be your cue
N ew beginnings means rest and reflection is a must, tip 4 plan and book leave within first hundred days
D etermine your line management responsibilities and eroster access as tip 5 amongst the newbie haze
R olling to tip 6, book in your 1:1s, team meetings and your no-meetings time
E mbrace your inner child and plan a team bonding activity for tip 7, with a dash of soda and lime
D igital, clinical and operational team engagement for tip 8 is fundamental
D on’t pigeonhole yourself in the digital shell
A las tip 9, take time to listen to others and their stories
Y our time will come to fix the world but, right now, people will just want to share their worries
S eek out the positives for tip 10 in their tales so you can share their joyous moments too
T ip 11 don’t forget your own personal development, with everything else being so new
I nvest time in getting to know your seniors and peers, face to face meetings is up there at tip 12
P eople, positivity, priority and passion for me are essential ingredients to the initial CCIO role delve
S o take mine and Sarah’s tips, add your own flavour and icing and take a bite of the CCIO cake!
