1. ​How was your first week?

My first week was a very good learning experience and I was very happy with its outcome. I
learned a lot about the environment in a pharmacy behind the counter and about the workflow
that occurs therein. I’ve gotten really used to being behind the counter and communicating with
the pharmacists and other pharmacy assistants. I’ve met a lot of the staff members at Shoppers
Drug Mart and I’ve been really grateful for the warm welcome and hospitality that was presented
to me when I started my placement.

​ . What were some challenges?

2
A challenge that I had to overcome was simply greeting customers and patients when they
come in to fill a prescription or to ask a question. On the first day, I was mostly stationed at the
back counter where I was responsible for filling prescriptions and counting pills, however, it
became very tempting to avoid confrontations with the patients and customers. Because of this,
I forced it upon myself to endure the second challenge, which was simply answering the
pharmacy phone calls. I realized that this will help me develop more confidence to greet patients
and customers at the front. After answering a couple phone calls and having a couple good
conversations with the patients that called, I realized that I also need to learn how to navigate
around the computer, specifically, the pharmacy’s prescription program to ensure that I can help
patients on the phone. I found it difficult to use the system at first, especially while the patient is
talking with me, however, I overcame these challenges by kindly asking the patient to hold while
I transfer them to the pharmacist. After the phone call was finished, I would ask the pharmacist
questions like “ What should I do when the patient asks me…?” or “ What could I have done
better when the patient wanted ...?” These were a couple challenges that I faced and overcame
in the first week. I learned a lot from these experiences and from the pharmacists and other
pharmacy assistants.

​3. List 10 tasks you are responsible for at work.

1. Scanning prescriptions
2. Entering prescriptions into the computer
3. Making/Answering telephone calls with patients regarding their prescriptions and
with doctor's offices regarding our patients
4. Filling a prescription ( logging expiry dates, logging prescription quantities,
counting pills, labeling vials and packages, and prepping medications to be
checked by pharmacist)
5. Create a Balance Owing transaction for certain medications that are not on stock
6. Organizing medications on their shelves
7. Scanning medications and inputting inventory
8. Cashing out patients
9. Receiving/sending faxed prescriptions to/from the doctor
10. Prepping blister packs for patients on multiple medications on a weekly basis