Shadowing Questions/Advice...

[nyc76]

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A friend of mine gave me a contact to call about shadowing at a walgreens so I wanted to get a feel from people who have shadowed or anyone with experience as to what type of questions I should be asking and what I should really be doing while I'm there. Am I supposed to just observe and ask questions as he's doing things or just observe and ask later or when there is down time? I don't want to be like a puppy dog following him around everywhere.

Basically what general types of questions and code of conduct should I use when I'm there. I don't want to be in the guy's way or bother him much at all. I'm supposed to call him Monday night when he's on his shift to coordinate our schedules. Also how many hours do you ask for shadowing or is it just as many as the pharmacist allows?

thanks 👍

 

[pharmerbird]

I work at Walgreens down in Florida and we've never had anybody shadow so I'm not exactly sure what you should be doing while there. I will say if the store is busy be alert and stay out of people's way. Our store gets kind of crazy sometimes and from personal experience when I am super busy I don't want to be questioned.

Hopefully the pharmacist will be able to coordinate a time when the pharmacy is slow and you can see what the pharmacist does in retail and absorb the environment.

As for questions, when I shadowed at the VA clinic a few of my questions to the pharmacists were...

Where did you graduate from? Have you worked different environments of pharmacy (hospital, retail, specialty) What is the workflow like, who does what (pharmacist vs. tech it varies on from store to store).

My questions varied by the vibes I was getting from the pharmacist, so pay attention to that!! You will notice some pharmacists will be short with you and not interested in the questions, while others want to tell you everything & then some. So get a feel for everybody around you before asking the serious questions.

Are you in pharmacy school or pre-pharmacy? I always ask questions when DUR's pop up, or about basic directions for certain maintenance drugs.

As for how often the shadowing would be for I don't really think you need to shadow much in retail. If you're that interested I would attempt getting an actual job because that way you will get learn so much more and make connections in the pharmacy world. I wouldn't see you needing to shadow for more than two weeks (if that).

Anyways, good luck!!

 

[JADpharm28]

In regards to shadowing, what would you wear to shadow a pharmacist in a retail setting? What is appropriate but not overly dressy? I am a girl, but why not mention guys too? P.s. I do not mean to thread hijack, I just think this question can be valuable to the thread

 

[nyc76]

In regards to shadowing, what would you wear to shadow a pharmacist in a retail setting? What is appropriate but not overly dressy? I am a girl, but why not mention guys too? P.s. I do not mean to thread hijack, I just think this question can be valuable to the thread

No not at all. That was actually one of the questions I had but I figure I might as well play it safe with business casual attire.

 

[nyc76]

Are you in pharmacy school or pre-pharmacy? I always ask questions when DUR's pop up, or about basic directions for certain maintenance drugs.

I really appreciate your awesome input! I actually can't work at a pharmacy cuz I already have a full time job and I'm taking the prereqs now looking for a career change. But I was told I should shadow at least to make sure its what I want to do. So yeah I'm still in pre pharm stage.

BTW what are DUR's? 😳

 

[AmyChaser]

Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it. Wait till you get there and you will start to get a vibe. Let them know what your intentions are and what you want to get out of the experience. I've found, at least at my volunteer job, they make sure to include me in the tasks they can. They also carve out a few assignments they have where I can watch and learn.

You will find out a lot just by being there, being open-minded, and talking.

I work in a hospital and not retail. My guess is- things are a lot more fun and interesting in a hospital environment. You get to hear about patients, doctors, relationships, protocols.

 

[spacecowgirl]

Wear business casual clothing. Women - no bare legs, no capris, no open-toed shoes/sandals, no short skirts or shorts. Men - dress pants, button up shirt and tie, dress shoes. No jeans or tennis shoes!

 

[nona]

can u please update us if they let you shadow a pharmacist at walgreens or not. the reason why I'm asking is because I went and called Walgreens they told me that they don't allow pre-pharm to shadow.

A friend of mine gave me a contact to call about shadowing at a walgreens so I wanted to get a feel from people who have shadowed or anyone with experience as to what type of questions I should be asking and what I should really be doing while I'm there. Am I supposed to just observe and ask questions as he's doing things or just observe and ask later or when there is down time? I don't want to be like a puppy dog following him around everywhere.

Basically what general types of questions and code of conduct should I use when I'm there. I don't want to be in the guy's way or bother him much at all. I'm supposed to call him Monday night when he's on his shift to coordinate our schedules. Also how many hours do you ask for shadowing or is it just as many as the pharmacist allows?

thanks 👍

 

[nyc76]

can u please update us if they let you shadow a pharmacist at walgreens or not. the reason why I'm asking is because I went and called Walgreens they told me that they don't allow pre-pharm to shadow.

Yeah well before I went I checked their website and Walgreens does offer shadowing but it says its offered to high school students.

Now I went to the Walgreens personally, and mind you I really didn't have a contact other than a friend at my university called to see if they offer it to pre pharm students, and so instead of calling I decided to just show up (I had to pick up a prescription anyway). So I got there and scoped it out a bit and waited for the right time when there were no customers. I went up and simply asked in a very confident non chalant manner if they offer shadowing to pre-pharm college students. The pharmacist there was very kind and said absolutely. We spoke for a few minutes and I'm supposed to call him back in 2 weeks cuz he was going on vacation. He asked questions as to what I am doing etc. but overall seemed nice.

So bottom line is I guess it depends on the pharmacist that works there. I would just go and ask pharmcies around where you live. The worst they can say is no.

 

[owlegrad]

So bottom line is I guess it depends on the pharmacist that works there. I would just go and ask pharmcies around where you live. The worst they can say is no.

A poster in another thread said that it doesn't matter if 25 say no, you only need one to say yes. I thought that was very well said. 👍

 

[nyc76]

A poster in another thread said that it doesn't matter if 25 say no, you only need one to say yes. I thought that was very well said. 👍

Yeah exactly. I think aslo showing up in person might make a difference instead of just calling during a time you don't know they might have customers they're dealing with or something going on. Its easier to give you a no over the phone. Show up, moderately dressed, and almost like asking someone out on a date ask them if they do allow showding with the attitude that if they say no just say thank you and that you'd thought to ask that is all and move on to the next.

 

[iggles]

congrats! Some advice:
You're going to want to make friends with all the techs. You will most likely be spending most of your time with them and if you have any questions they are your go to people. Also you have to read people's personalities. There are just some people who want nothing to do with you and you have to respect that. I've worked at this pharmacy for close to a 100 hours now and a certain pharmacist still hasn't said a word to me yet. And if she wants to communicate with me she tells a tech to tell me, even thought I'm standing two feet away from her! Also you are going to make mistakes in the beginning, so don't get down on yourself. Learn from them and move on. I really enjoyed my experience at Walgreens and learned a lot! hope you do to
p.s. Learn the ins and outs of the intercom plus system. It is your bible!

 

[nyc76]

congrats! Some advice:
You're going to want to make friends with all the techs. You will most likely be spending most of your time with them and if you have any questions they are your go to people. Also you have to read people's personalities. There are just some people who want nothing to do with you and you have to respect that. I've worked at this pharmacy for close to a 100 hours now and a certain pharmacist still hasn't said a word to me yet. And if she wants to communicate with me she tells a tech to tell me, even thought I'm standing two feet away from her! Also you are going to make mistakes in the beginning, so don't get down on yourself. Learn from them and move on. I really enjoyed my experience at Walgreens and learned a lot! hope you do to
p.s. Learn the ins and outs of the intercom plus system. It is your bible!

Iggles were you working there or shadowing? From what I understand shadowing is basically an observe and ask questions kind of thing and not a job or internship. Am I wrong about that?

BTW congrats on the FA signings...I'm a giants fan

 

[iggles]

Iggles were you working there or shadowing? From what I understand shadowing is basically an observe and ask questions kind of thing and not a job or internship. Am I wrong about that?

BTW congrats on the FA signings...I'm a giants fan

Im doing a kind of internship/shadowing thing at walgreens. I dont know how much your going or shadow. The pharmacist is going to stand in one spot and check meds before they go out and make phonecalls. Shadowing the techs would be of more use to you.
and btw i dont know what your talking about. My s/n has nothing to do with sports 😛

 

[nyc76]

Im doing a kind of internship/shadowing thing at walgreens. I dont know how much your going or shadow. The pharmacist is going to stand in one spot and check meds before they go out and make phonecalls. Shadowing the techs would be of more use to you.
and btw i dont know what your talking about. My s/n has nothing to do with sports 😛

LOL!!! yeah right

Who did the pharmacist make phone calls to? Was that to verify subscriptions or insurance companies?