Shadowing a pharmacist pointless?

[Lastnv]

The title of this thread was to provoke an answer.
I'm just a first year undergrad but I've been wanting to go to pharmacy school since high school. Shadowing is something that is always recommended for applying.

So how do you shadow a pharmacist? I work at Walmart and whenever I pass the pharmacy the pharmacist is always on the computer or talking to a customer at the counter.

Do you just listen to what the pharmacist says? Do you look over his shoulder at what he's doing on the computer? Pharmacies aren't that big (behind the counter) so theres nowhere to really follow him around to, compared to shadowing a physician. I feel like I'd just be in the way.

Just wondering what everyone was doing during their shadowing.
Also when is a good time to start shadowing?

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[Oink]

The title of this thread was to provoke an answer.
I'm just a first year undergrad but I've been wanting to go to pharmacy school since high school. Shadowing is something that is always recommended for applying.

So how do you shadow a pharmacist? I work at Walmart and whenever I pass the pharmacy the pharmacist is always on the computer or talking to a customer at the counter.

Do you just listen to what the pharmacist says? Do you look over his shoulder at what he's doing on the computer? Pharmacies aren't that big (behind the counter) so theres nowhere to really follow him around to, compared to shadowing a physician. I feel like I'd just be in the way.

Just wondering what everyone was doing during their shadowing.
Also when is a good time to start shadowing?

Earlier you start the better. Retail chains like walmart or CVS probably won't let you shadow because of legal reasons. If you want to shadow, find an independent pharmacy. They will most likely let you shadow.

I recommend you looking to volunteer first so you can get more hands on experience. If you can't, then ask to shadow. That's because you don't really do much when you shadow. All you do is look at what the pharmacists are doing. Sometimes shadowing a pharmacist can lead to a volunteering position at that pharmacy if they let you.

 

[68quebec]

The title of this thread was to provoke an answer.
I'm just a first year undergrad but I've been wanting to go to pharmacy school since high school. Shadowing is something that is always recommended for applying.

So how do you shadow a pharmacist? I work at Walmart and whenever I pass the pharmacy the pharmacist is always on the computer or talking to a customer at the counter.

Do you just listen to what the pharmacist says? Do you look over his shoulder at what he's doing on the computer? Pharmacies aren't that big (behind the counter) so theres nowhere to really follow him around to, compared to shadowing a physician. I feel like I'd just be in the way.

Just wondering what everyone was doing during their shadowing.
Also when is a good time to start shadowing?

IMO, shadowing pharmacist just gives you an insight of how the job is like..
Volunteer + shadowing might be a good combination but still working as a tech sounds much better choice still.

 

[ShockingPurple]

IMO, shadowing pharmacist just gives you an insight of how the job is like..
Volunteer + shadowing might be a good combination but still working as a tech sounds much better choice still.

YES!! I'm a second year student at UMES School of Pharmacy and I was a CPhT for 5 years before starting school-it's the best experience to have. Some of my classmates have never set foot in a pharmacy before our IPPEs and I think they were shocked to see that pharmacy isn't what it may seem to be from the outside. Depending on your state, you may or may not need to be certified to work as a technician and even if you do work in a state that requires it (like here in MD it is required to work as a tech) you can sometimes go to a national chain such as Rite Aid and get your 6 months training on the job and they'll offer the certification exam at the end of that time. Not only will the experience help you decide if the field is really for you, but it does come in handy to have that experience when learning class material because the drugs will be something you've already seen.

 

[68quebec]

YES!! I'm a second year student at UMES School of Pharmacy and I was a CPhT for 5 years before starting school-it's the best experience to have. Some of my classmates have never set foot in a pharmacy before our IPPEs and I think they were shocked to see that pharmacy isn't what it may seem to be from the outside. Depending on your state, you may or may not need to be certified to work as a technician and even if you do work in a state that requires it (like here in MD it is required to work as a tech) you can sometimes go to a national chain such as Rite Aid and get your 6 months training on the job and they'll offer the certification exam at the end of that time. Not only will the experience help you decide if the field is really for you, but it does come in handy to have that experience when learning class material because the drugs will be something you've already seen.

Exactly, a lot of my buddies who started working at pharmacy first wanted to go to pharmacy schools. guess wut? more than 90% of them withdrew their initial goal. It really is different than what it seems from outside.

btw, I went to UMES and school was fantastic! quiet location brings less distraction on your studying. only hour or less driving brings you to the ocean so it may be a good relaxing location too. I kinda envy you now 😛

 

[Lastnv]

So I should get certified and get a tech job?
How hard is the ptcb exam? How often to they hire techs without experience?

 

[elysianpharm]

Before you jump in with both feet, I'd recommend contacting your local hospital's volunteer department or an independent pharmacy and do a full shadow or rotating volunteer shift behind the counter. As long as you are earnest with your goals I see no reason why you would be denied (unless they do not have time).

You don't need a license or certification to shadow, but will likely need a license to volunteer.

To answer your question on shadowing, my experience is that they will have a rough outline of what you're going to be observing and you ask questions as they arise. I volunteer in a hospital community setting, but did a full day of shadowing clinical. In the morning I was introduced to Pyxis, went with techs to fill machines on the floor, then observed IV prep, then ordering/packaging, and then went with a clinical pharmacist to the ICU to adjust a vanco dosage. After this, I sat with other clinical pharmacists to observe their day to day activities and ask questions/socialize.

It was a worthwhile experience, because although I've worked behind the counter in retail for a few years, clinical was entirely different.

PTCB exam was easy if you have experience behind the counter. I didn't study for it because my time observing techs and SIG notation was enough to pass. I also knew, based on experience, what types of drugs were dispensed and what they generally did. There was common sense questions ("Do you recap a used needle?") and math questions.

 

[moneyoutthebank]

Yes, get pharmacy exposure as others have said. Are you a cashier at walmart? You can always try to transfer to the pharmacy, as they employ both cashiers and technicians. Speak to the Pharmacy manage and let them know about your situation and plans...if you get certified they may let you onboard.

I know many a few walmart techs that started as cashiers.