Quick Questions

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1. What is the most difficult decision you have ever had to face?

--I never had to make any really difficult decisions. The only decision (not a difficult one) I had to make was considering what career I wanted to pursue during college. I made this decision towards my third year of high school.

2. Is (school's name) your top choice?

3. Tell me about a situation which you encountered a moral conflict? How did you resolve it?

Is it ever acceptable to say you have not come across a moral conflict?

4. If you recommended a prescription change to a prescriber and they refused, would you fill it?


Thanks for your help on any of these questions.

 

[fenixtnlfan]

Seriously, give us your answers first. You've basically asked for answers on all the slightly more critical thinking interview questions (not even really hard actually) in multiple threads. If you can't come up with answers on your own, you are going to be hurting in the interview when they ask you something that isn't on your list. I'm showing you some tough love here to help you in the end. You need to be able to make decisions on your own if you want to be a pharmacist. There's no magic answer board in real life.

 

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1. I would say choosing a career throughout high school and deciding if this career is right for you. Something along these lines except with greater detail.

2. It is wise to say "yes" for this question and then explain why the school would fit your interests.

3. If you can not recall a specific moral conflict, I would say to report any issue as quickly as possible if any ethical or moral standards of the profession were being violated.

4. If I have right to believe the change in prescription will better benefit the patient and the prescriber refused, I would not fill it.

Anyone disagree with what I have said or like to add to my answers? Any constructive criticism is appreciated. Thanks for your insight.

 

[mike36]

Seriously, give us your answers first. You've basically asked for answers on all the slightly more critical thinking interview questions (not even really hard actually) in multiple threads. If you can't come up with answers on your own, you are going to be hurting in the interview when they ask you something that isn't on your list. I'm showing you some tough love here to help you in the end. You need to be able to make decisions on your own if you want to be a pharmacist. There's no magic answer board in real life.

I agree with fenix. I will add that many times, interviewers do not care so much what your answer is, but rather the rationale that led you to that answer. And no, I do not think it is acceptable to say that you have never encountered a moral conflict or dilemma of some kind. This does not tell them anything about you.

 

[ValeRx]

Imagine a life where you have not ever been faced with a "is this the right or wrong thing to do" situation.

 

[mike36]

Imagine a life where you have not ever been faced with a "is this the right or wrong thing to do" situation.

Whether or not you have actually faced a moral dilemma is not the issue. If you asked this question, you need to answer it in a way that tells them about you and your morals, all within the context of the question. It is up to you to come up an appropriate response for the question though.

 

[ValeRx]

Whether or not you have actually faced a moral dilemma is not the issue. If you asked this question, you need to answer it in a way that tells them about you and your morals, all within the context of the question. It is up to you to come up an appropriate response for the question though.

My point was that this situation does not exist. Everyone has faced a moral dilemma. If someone is unable to recall a time when this has happened, they obviously lack the proper social skills or common sense required in identifying it. Sort of like someone being asked what their weaknesses are and saying that they have none.

 

[mike36]

My point was that this situation does not exist. Everyone has faced a moral dilemma. If someone is unable to recall a time when this has happened, they obviously lack the proper social skills or common sense required in identifying it. Sort of like someone being asked what their weaknesses are and saying that they have none.

Sorry, I got confused. I wasn't looking at your name or avatar, and just thought you were the OP.

 

[kismet]

My point was that this situation does not exist. Everyone has faced a moral dilemma. If someone is unable to recall a time when this has happened, they obviously lack the proper social skills or common sense required in identifying it. Sort of like someone being asked what their weaknesses are and saying that they have none.

I wouldn't say a person lacks "common sense" or "social skills" if they can't identify a moral dilemma they've been in before - but if you're drawing a blank, you're not thinking hard enough, or the right way. Maybe it didn't seem like much of a dilemma to you because it was easy for you to do the "right" thing. But there were still two choices and you should be able to explain why you chose option A instead of option B. I do think if you've ever set foot behind the counter of a pharmacy, you have encountered these dilemmas.

However, I am trying to get as many opinions on these questions and then come to my own conclusion based on what I have read. My slightly critical questions will not only help me but anyone else trying to prepare especially if it is your first interview. It is important to observe everyone's viewpoint to understand these question from all angles. It is also a good way to utilize this forum. Would you disagree?

You can get a lot of opinions on this board but I'd encourage you to utilize other sources as well. Reading industry magazines, health news, talking to other pharmacists you've worked with or shadowed, or health sciences counselors at your school... there is a ton of info out in the world! And being well-rounded in your research or knowledge will then come across in your answers.

4. If I have right to believe the change in prescription will better benefit the patient and the prescriber refused, I would not fill it.

This is the only question I find interesting, so the only one I'll comment on. Remember there are a billion details to every problem. The situation was, you recommended a change and the prescriber refused. WHY did you recommend the change? What is the outcome to the patient if you fill the script as written? Does it threaten the patient's safety? Or is it just more expensive? What does the law say? What is the basic rule to follow when making decisions about a patient's care? <-- this one is key, and if you're working with the right kind of pharmacists, they'll be able to tell you what it is. 😉