Introduction
The role of a pharmacist in the health sector is guide patients in their medications prescribed by doctors. Pharmacy residency helps you form a career in pharmacy with practical experience of dealing with patients under the supervision of a licensed practitioner. The resident must learn to interact with patients and provide them suitable care. Let us read to the end to know about “Pharmacy Residency Interview Questions”
Pharmacy Residency Interview Questions
In order to become a pharmacy resident, one must pass the pharmacy residency interview questions. One must be prepared to confidently answer the questions, and for that, one must be aware of what sort of questions could be asked. Given below are some examples of general questions.
- Why did you choose to study pharmacy?
- How would you advance you career with this program?
- What goals do you see yourself achieving during and at the end of this program?
- Describe some of your academic and professional weak points.
- How do you approach problems?
- What is your approach with communicating with patients?
- Do you find yourself compatible with teamwork?
- What do you consider as your professional strengths?
- What is your strategy to handle pressure?
- What is it about this program that particularly interests you?
Sample Answers
- Tell us about you experience working with patients.
This question if often asked to learn about your ability to deal with patients.
Answer : I have experience in working with diabetic patients at an endocrinologist clinic. My duties included guiding patients on when and how to take medications. Majority of the patients were old aged who were required to be dealt with very sensitively. I ensured they felt comfortable with asking questions and made charts for them with timings and medicines.
- How do you ensure effective communication with patients?
Interviewers ask this question to understand whether you are tolerant enough.
Answer : I worked at an obstetrics and gynaecology care facility in a rural area. My work was to educate under privileged women on the working medications related to pregnancy. I was confident about my communication as they soon became comfortable with asking me questions on how various medicines could affect their body as I encouraged them to openly discuss issues they faced.
- What inspired you to pursue this career?
Answer : This program can help me accomplish my goals. I aim to specialise in pediatric pharmaceuticals, and pursuing this residency with a hospital that has a great pediatric department can aid to my accomplishment of my goals.
- How do you keep yourself updated with knowledge?
Answer: I try to have regular discussions with my seniors, attend as many events and seminars as I can. I read weekly journals and magazines as well. That helps me stay up to date with all the developments.
Specific Questions
- How will you contribute to this program?
- Tell us about a recommendation that was put forth by you and approved by your team.
- Describe your most significant experience with a patient.
- Describe your experience of working within a team.
- What goals have you accomplished as a team leader in the past?
- What was your most difficult situation with a patient and how did you overcome it?
- What is your least favourite aspect of this career?
- What are your areas of improvement?
- What distinguishes you from the other candidates?
- What are your expectations from this program?
What is a Pharmacy Residency?
It is basically a post graduate program, which is a degree pursued for a license. The structure of the program varies from one country to another. The degree overall trains an individual through practical experience in the delivery of healthcare. The average salary of a pharmacy resident in US is around $90,000 per year.
The duties of a pharmacy resident include offering expertise in medications and health screenings.
A pharmacist may also be required to administer vaccines and perform basic medical check ups.
What Are The Skills Needed to Be a Pharmacy Resident?
One must administer the following skills to work efficiently as a pharmacy resident :
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Extraordinary communication skills
- Management skills
- Mathematical skills
- Multitasking skills
- Confidentiality
- Analytical skills
- Financial management skills
- Computer literacy
- Organisation skills
Responsibilities of a Pharmacy Resident
Some of the responsibilities of a pharmacy resident may include :
- Development of collaborative drug therapy
- Respond to patients’ drug related requirements
- Perform weekly rotations of a clinical nature
- Participate in departmental activities
- Ensure that the drug supply is lawful
- Supervise supply
- Conduct blood pressure and blood sugar tests
- Assess the quality of medicines
- Advise patients on side effects
- Keep records
What to Not Say in a Pharmacy Residency Interview?
- Do not talk about your personal life.
- Do not give lengthy irrelevant answers.
- Do not beat about the bush in an answer.
- Do not boast about your achievements.
- Do not answer each question in more than 60 seconds.
- Don’t make false claims.
- Don’t use phrases that may come across as offensive.
- Don’t speak negatively of previous employers.
Pros of pharmacy residency
- Possibilities of work from home
- You can be self employed
- Clean work environment
- Well reputed career
- Job mobility
- Travel opportunities
- Work life balance
Cons of Pharmacy Residency
- Education is expensive.
- Work environment can be hectic.
- It can be physically draining as you may need to stand for long hours.
- The pay is low.
- Limited career opportunities
- High pressure work
- The jobs are declining due to online facilities
- No room for errors like providing wrong medications or dosages
- Highly competitive
How Long is a Pharmacy Residency?
On an average, a pharmacy residency program is of one or two years. It varies from one country to another as the structure of the program also varies.
Conclusions
Pharmacy residencies equip you with skills that help you apply your knowledge learnt during school to real life situations while dealing with patients. It exposes you to different problems and conflicting situations. It enhances your problem solving abilities. It is a great starter to build on a career in the health sector.
