Overall, no matter the health profession, all healthcare providers have an obligation of doing no harm to patients and practicing a patient/person-centered approach. In addition, healthcare providers must help to the fullest extent based on their training and credentials. Equally important is to always demonstrate honesty and integrity, while maintaining compassion and confidentiality. Patients come in all shapes, sizes, races, backgrounds, and as such, should all be respected and treated equally. Lastly, in order to provide the best care possible, all professional knowledge must remain current (via continuing education, seminars, or trainings) as new health technologies, new medications and devices, or advances in medicine emerge.
I have been exposed to two types of pharmacy environments: community (retail) and hospital (clinical). My mother worked as a retail pharmacy technician for nearly 20 years, allowing me multiple occasions of learning the key processes. As a result, I was able to briefly shadow her in this environment (in Ohio). While I have some experience with the retail pharmacy, most of my exposure is from the clinical pharmacy, specifically HonorHealth Scottsdale Thompson Peak Medical Center, where I interned for 135 hours. Also, I provided over 50 hours of volunteer service and currently am employed there as a
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In terms of the retail pharmacy, the main inventory includes maintenance medications, antibiotics, and pre- and post-surgery medications. The forms these come in vary, but are mainly oral (pills and liquids); topical creams, gels, and ointments; and drops for ophthalmic and otic applications. As far as patients go, most patients are typically mobile and conscious, with some exceptions. Finally, retail pharmacies deal with all types of payments: cash-pay, insurance, and third-party