Pharmacy Rotation Week

Learning Report

What were your responsibilities or duties this week?

My responsibilities this week were to learn how the Pharmacy functions and the duties the employees have regarding the hospital. I observed several employees including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and an IV technician. I was to observe how drugs are calculated and delivered to patients. I watched a technician create IV's and other drugs for the hospital and observed the how and where the drugs are stored. This week I was to understand the importance of the pharmacy and how the pharmacists and technicians help to keep the department functioning.

What new knowledge or skill did you learn this week?

This week I learned about how the pharmacy functions and the importance it plays for the hospital. I was able to observe and assist in creating various IVs in which I learned a lot about the procedure and about the calculations and the ordering process for the medicine. I learned how the pharmacist calculates dosages and the certain factors of a patient to consider when administering drugs. I learned about the process of ordering, calculating and delivering patient medicine within the hospital and how the pharmacist is just as responsible of the patient as the doctor. I learned a lot about drugs and medicine and was able to ask many questions. I learned about the educational requirements for several positions as well as their necessary qualifications.

What was the best thing that happened at the unpaid work-based learning site this week?

The best thing that happened this week was I was able to go into the IV room and observe and assist with making several types of IV. I learned a lot about the process and how the bags are used throughout the hospital. The technician was very kind and informative and made the time more interesting than I expected. I found it very interesting watching her create different types of fluid bags and learned about the various forms the drugs can come in. I also found it interesting how technology has changed the procedure as she explained to me how the process used to be and how simpler it is today and I enjoyed learning about the evolution of the technology.

What was the worst thing that happened at the unpaid work-based learning site this week?

Nothing bad really happened this week as the employees were very busy and I was able to learn a lot from them. The only bad thing that happened is when I finished my task sheet and had nothing else to do and the employees were busy and I felt awkward interrupting them to ask questions, however it was only a couple of minutes as it was time for me to leave. 

This week was: Good

Why?
This week I found very interesting and the employees were very informative and friendly. I learned a lot about the pharmacy and medicine and enjoyed this week. I did not expect to find the department interesting and I shocked myself. 

Experience Record 

Technology observed:

• Medicine dispenser
• IV Hood (horizontal and vertical)
• Crash Cart
• Computer Software

Diagnostic procedures observed:

• Age, Gender
• Weight
• Kidney Lab Results
• Blood Test
• Past medical history
• Family history

Therapeutic procedures observed:

• Medicine/Drugs
• Various IV

Disease/disorders observed:

• None

Medical terminology/abbreviations encountered:

• Venous
• Oral
• Parentreral
• Dosage
• Kidney 
• Stat, o.s., ss

Other Observed:

• Pharmacist education and qualifications
• Pharmacy Technician education and qualifications
• Crash Cart 

Experience Journal

1. The pharmacy is a large room with different areas including the rotating medicine dispenser, refrigerator and freezer, and the IV room. There are computers the employees use often to receive orders and contact different department. The dispenser has the majority of their medicine and is very important for the department. The IV room is sterile and is used to make various drugs for patients. Throughout the room there is medicine being stored and the area is very well organized.
2. The employees that I observed were all very friendly and informative. They worked well together and seemed to enjoy there jobs. They were very nice to me and helped me learn a lot. They worked together to delivery the appropriate medicine and communicated well to ensure the correct medicine was processed. The pharmacists were very qualified and skilled and knew what to look for on patient reports and knew the correct calculations. The employees were very good and are very important to the patients.
3. I learned a lot about the function of the pharmacy and the responsibilities the employees have. I was able to learn a lot through observation and through asking questions. I watched a technician create several IVs and learned a lot on that day. I also saw the delivery and appropriate placement of medicine. Through conversation, I learned a lot about the education and qualifications of the positions within pharmacy and learned about the employees experiences. 
4. I surprised myself with how much I found interesting this week. I still do not think I will end up being in a pharmaceutical career, however I learned a lot about the department and was interested the whole time. I learned about the importance of the pharmacists job and the department as a whole. I learned about the communication necessary between each department that is sure to help me in the future. I enjoyed this week and have a more clear understanding of the pharmacy.