As we all know, the role of pharmacist in health care is
expanding quickly. Pharmacists are making a big jump from the “lick, stick,
pour, count” stereotypical model of the past, to the new age of the comprehensive
patient care initiative. Let’s hope however, that the “lick” aspect of that
previous statement never really accounted to patient care!
Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy is continuously
taking steps to prepare us for the pharmacist role expansion. For instance, the
American Pharmacy Association has developed a protocol and learning seminar to
prepare pharmacist and student pharmacist to give vaccinations to
patients. We completed this program as
second year pharmacy students!
Before the live seminar, there were online tutorials and an
exam to complete, but that was nothing compared to the live training! The
material was simple; we students are used to learning the facts! However, on a
pretty Saturday, the entire P2 class piled in to a lecture hall and prepared to
stick each other, with not just one, but three shots! Hands on learning taken
to a whole new level!
Everyone’s nerves were on edge, you could see fear and
excitement on faces through-out the room, especially as we began drawing up our
syringes with saline solution FOR INJECTION!!! It really made for a comical
view! Though most of us had no experience administering shots, everything went
smoothly! Not one person fainted! And after a day’s worth of learning and
sticking each other, it was yet another accomplishment PCSP gave us!
Taking the course at school meant three really great things:
1) it was FREE, where most pharmacists have to pay to get certified, 2) the
certification last for the duration of your career, and 3) it was fun! Having
our whole class there, seeing the direct correlation with our school and the
initiative to expand pharmacy practice, gave everyone a prideful boost! All in
all in was a GREAT day, even though I did get 3 shots!
Rebecca
P2 - Class of 2017
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