LEARNING ON THE FRONT LINE


A Trainee’s Journey into Community Pharmacy


The transition from university to professional practice is one of the most important stages in a pharmacist’s career. For foundation trainee pharmacist Beth McIlrath, the first six months working at Cloughmills Pharmacy in Northern Ireland have provided valuable insight into the realities of community pharmacy, from patient care to managing the pressures of a busy dispensary.


Supported by her educational supervisor, Gillian McKee, and the wider pharmacy team, Beth has been able to develop her clinical skills, gain confidence speaking to patients and experience first hand the pace and variety of community pharmacy. Beth says the past six months have given her a well rounded introduction to both the clinical and operational aspects of pharmacy practice.


“I’ve been very fortunate to have such a positive start to my foundation year,” she explains. “With the support of Gillian and the whole team at Cloughmills Pharmacy, I’ve been able to build a strong understanding of the clinical, legal and operational side of running an independent pharmacy.”


Her first months in practice coincided with the busy Christmas period, offering a clear picture of the increasing demands placed on community pharmacy teams.


“It was a great opportunity to see just how busy pharmacies can become and how important they are within their local communities, particularly during the winter months when demand for prescriptions and advice increases.”


Learning in a busy environment


One of the biggest surprises for Beth has been the pace of the working day. She discovered that managing multiple priorities while maintaining patient safety requires focus and adaptability.


“Pharmacies can be extremely busy, especially at the start of the week or during holiday periods,” she says. “You quickly learn how to prioritise tasks and switch your focus between dispensing, patient queries and clinical services.”


Beth has gained valuable experience delivering clinical services, including Pharmacy First, helping strengthen her confidence in assessing symptoms and recommending treatments. Carrying out and interpreting diagnostic tests for urinary tract infections and sore throats has also given Beth practical experience to support her future role as a pharmacist prescriber.


“Because Pharmacy First covers a wide range of minor ailments, it has really helped develop my clinical knowledge,” she explains. “It has also been important to learn how to identify red flag symptoms and know when a patient should be referred to another healthcare professional.”


Building relationships with patients


For Beth, one of the most rewarding aspects has been the opportunity to interact directly with patients. Beth believes community pharmacy’s accessibility allows pharmacists to build strong relationships with the people they serve.


“Building trust and rapport with patients has probably been the part I’ve enjoyed the most,” she says. “Patients visit their pharmacy regularly and become familiar with the team. That means they often feel comfortable coming to us with concerns or asking for advice, which is a really important part of the pharmacist’s role.”


These interactions have also reinforced the responsibility pharmacists have in ensuring medicines are used safely and effectively.


“Every patient interaction is an opportunity to help optimise medicines use and identify potential issues, whether that’s an interaction, side effect or something that needs further investigation.”


Developing communication skills


Working with patients from a wide range of backgrounds has helped Beth refine her communication skills, particularly when working with patients who may have additional needs.


“With encouragement from my educational supervisor, I’ve had the chance to support patients with different communication needs, including children and patients with hearing impairments,” Beth explains. “Those experiences really help build confidence.”


Balancing work and study


Alongside the practical experience of working in the pharmacy, foundation trainees must also prepare for the registration assessment, which can make the training year particularly demanding. Developing a structured routine has helped her maintain a healthy work life balance.


“Balancing full time work with studying has probably been the biggest challenge,” Beth admits. “I try to plan my study time in advance and make sure I also leave space to relax. The protected four hours of study time each week have been really helpful as well.”


Beth is quick to highlight the importance of having a supportive team environment during the training year.


“The support from Gillian and the entire pharmacy team has been invaluable,” she says. “When the pharmacy gets busy, everyone works together and supports each other. That team dynamic makes a huge difference.”


Looking ahead to the next stage of training


Beth will soon move into the next stage of her training at Antrim Area Hospital, where she will gain experience in hospital pharmacy and clinical inpatient care. The placement will also include a prescribing practice period as part of her training to become an independent prescriber. “I’m really looking forward to seeing how pharmacy works in a hospital setting and applying my clinical knowledge in a different environment,” she says.


Advice for future pharmacy trainees


Reflecting on the first half of her training year, Beth encourages pharmacy students to take every opportunity to learn during placements and to make the most of the experience.


“You get out what you put into each placement. The training year goes by very quickly, so it’s important to get involved with the team, learn as much as possible and enjoy the experience.”


Understanding the dispensing process and recognising common errors are important early steps, but Beth also emphasises the value of engaging with patients.


“Be confident in your knowledge and take the opportunity to speak with patients when you can. At the same time, don’t be afraid to ask questions and learn from the pharmacists and technicians around you.”


“Every patient interaction is an opportunity to help optimise medicines use and identify potential issues, whether that’s an interaction, side effect or something that needs further investigation.”


pharmacyinfocus.co.uk 31


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48