For career day I shadowed a pharmacist at Welcare Pharmacy compounding and Prescriptions. I spent the day with Zohreh, she is one of the pharmacist there. The morning started out very busy, then it slowed down in the afternoon before the evening rush again. I learned that this career requires you to stand most of the day. It is very important to pay attention to details. I found it difficult to read the doctors writing on prescriptions , this would require time on the phones to confirm important details. I liked that your able to interact and help people through out the day with their questions. This pharmacy is a little different then most because they also do compounding of medications into uncommon dosages and alternative forms such as lollipops for kids. It was interesting to see what it is like to be a pharmacist. It was similar to what I expected but seeing how they did things was very interesting. After my career day I feel that I would still like to be a pharmacist.
Below are some of the question and answers from career day.
1. How do you interact with other people during your work day?
The work day is mostly filled with taking prescription orders and talking with the customers. She gives a lot of advice on medication options as well. She has regular customers that come in so she tries to get to know them on a personal level as well.
2. What specific skill training helped you prepare for this job?
It is a good idea to start off as a Pharmacy Tech while going to school. Learning medical terminology and abbreviations as well as a concentration in the math fields will be very useful.
3. What is a typical work day like?
The mornings and evenings are usually the busiest times. Customers come in with prescriptions and the pharmacist logs it into the computer. Then she counts the pills to fill the dosage. If the medication in new for them she will counsel them on how to take the medicine, how often and side effects to be aware of.
4. What advice do you have to young people who are interested in this profession/field?
She recommends getting hands on experience and accruing hours toward certification by working as a pharmacy technician. Take advantage of any volunteering opportunities in the pharmacy setting, both hospitals, chain stores and small pharmacies.
5. What is the best and worst thing about your job?
The best part of the job is helping and educating people that have a lot of questions about their medications. The worst part of the job is dealing with angry and upset customers.
Below are some of the question and answers from career day.
1. How do you interact with other people during your work day?
The work day is mostly filled with taking prescription orders and talking with the customers. She gives a lot of advice on medication options as well. She has regular customers that come in so she tries to get to know them on a personal level as well.
2. What specific skill training helped you prepare for this job?
It is a good idea to start off as a Pharmacy Tech while going to school. Learning medical terminology and abbreviations as well as a concentration in the math fields will be very useful.
3. What is a typical work day like?
The mornings and evenings are usually the busiest times. Customers come in with prescriptions and the pharmacist logs it into the computer. Then she counts the pills to fill the dosage. If the medication in new for them she will counsel them on how to take the medicine, how often and side effects to be aware of.
4. What advice do you have to young people who are interested in this profession/field?
She recommends getting hands on experience and accruing hours toward certification by working as a pharmacy technician. Take advantage of any volunteering opportunities in the pharmacy setting, both hospitals, chain stores and small pharmacies.
5. What is the best and worst thing about your job?
The best part of the job is helping and educating people that have a lot of questions about their medications. The worst part of the job is dealing with angry and upset customers.