UCSF Outreach to PILLS

Phi Delta Chi - Zeta Chapter

Professional Outreach Committee

Agenda

• The Profession of Pharmacy
• MMI Interviews
• Break off into Roundtable Groups

Pharmacy Myths Debunked!

• All we do is count pills and sell them.
• CVS, Walgreens, or Walmart are the only places we can work at.
• Pharmacists just do what the doctors tell them to do.

The Role of the Pharmacist

• Educate patients about prescription and over-the-counter medications
• Educate and advise other health care professionals on drug decisions for patients
• Provide expertise about the composition of drugs, including chemical, biological and physical properties, as well as on use
• Ensure drug purity and strength
• Ensure drugs do not interact in a harmful way

​

Types of Pharmacy

​

• Community (Retail or independent)
• Clinical (Hospital or Clinics)
• Research (Academia)
• Managed Care
• Industry
• Government Agencies
• Many many more!

How integral the pharmacist is in a healthcare team setting?

• Collaborate with physicians in selecting the best medication tailored to the patient
• If a medication is needed at a certain dose that is not readily available, pharmacists can help adjust the dose of a drug
• Pharmacists are educators and can help improve patient understanding of drug and patient’s willingness to take the drug
• Pharmacists check patient medication lists to ensure there’s no drug-drug interactions

How to Become a Pharmacist

• Graduate from high school
• Obtain minimum of 2 – 4 years undergraduate college education
• Apply to pharmacy school & earn admission
• Complete the Doctor of Pharmacy program
• Sit for the state license exam board (NAPLEX)

​

Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs)

• Circuit of multiple stations where interviewees go from room to room
• Assess critical thinking skills, empathy, future plans
• Format:
• Read prompt (1-2 min)
• Knock and enter room
• Respond to prompt (6-8 min)
• Repeat!
• Prompt = role-playing scenario or traditional

MMI Success Strategies

• Read the posted prompt carefully. Make sure you understand before you begin formulating!
• Compose yourself before entering the room. Introduce with full name and shake hands (if appropriate)
• Track time! It is okay to finish early (or take up all the time)
• Practice role-playing with your friends
• Relax and stay calm!
• Thank the interviewer at the end of the session :)

Roundtable Time!

Suggested topics/questions to ask:

• Application Cycle
• Interview/MMI tips and tricks
• Personal Statements
• Pharmacy School Lifestyle
• Prerequisites/Undergraduate Classes
• Anything else!

Groups!

• Ibuprofen
• Warfarin
• Penicillin
• Gabapentin
• Acetaminophen

Contact Information

Jennifer Shieh - jennifer.shieh@ucsf.edu

Sae Lome Lee - saelome.lee@ucsf.edu

Julie Nguyen - julie.nguyen3@ucsf.edu

Andy Nguyen - anguyen@ucsf.edu

Jasper Hai - jasper.hai@ucsf.edu

Madiha Shah - madiha.shah@ucsf.edu

​