İlayda Metin

In my role at the pharmacy, I handle medication dispensing, ensuring prescriptions are accurate and safe. I provide patient counseling, explaining dosages, side effects, and proper medication use. I assist with OTC recommendations, guiding patients on minor health concerns. Additionally, I manage inventory, track stock levels, and ensure proper storage. I also handle controlled substance documentation and insurance processing to ensure smooth operations. Working closely with the team, I contribute to health awareness initiatives, educating patients on chronic disease management and medication adherence. This role has strengthened my communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills while deepening my experience in patient care.

Walking into the hospital pharmacy for my internship, I knew this experience would be different from my time in a community pharmacy. Here, the focus was not just on individual patients but on an entire healthcare system working together to provide the best possible treatment. One of my key responsibilities was preparing and dispensing medications for hospitalized patients. I worked closely with pharmacists to ensure that prescriptions were accurate, appropriate, and safe for each patient’s condition. I also assisted in checking for drug interactions and dosage adjustments, especially for patients with chronic illnesses or those on multiple medications. During my time in the hospital, I gained experience in IV medication preparation and sterile compounding. Under supervision, I learned how to maintain strict aseptic techniques while preparing intravenous drugs, an essential skill in hospital pharmacy practice. Another major responsibility was medication reconciliation—reviewing patients' medication histories to prevent errors during hospital admission or discharge. This task showed me the importance of accurate documentation and communication between healthcare professionals. I also got involved in ward rounds, where I observed how pharmacists collaborated with doctors and nurses to optimize medication therapy. Seeing how clinical decisions were made based on patient conditions and lab results deepened my understanding of personalized treatment plans. Additionally, I helped with inventory management, ensuring that critical medications, especially emergency drugs, were always available. I also assisted in monitoring the use of high-alert medications, helping to reduce risks and improve patient safety. This internship strengthened my knowledge of hospital pharmacy operations, clinical decision-making, and teamwork in a healthcare setting. By the end of my time there, I felt more confident in my ability to contribute to patient care and excited about the future possibilities in clinical pharmacy.

During my internship at a community pharmacy, I had the chance to apply my knowledge in a real-world setting while improving my communication and problem-solving skills. One of my main responsibilities was helping patients understand their medications. I explained dosages, side effects, and possible interactions, ensuring they felt confident about their treatment. I also assisted in dispensing prescriptions, carefully checking for accuracy and safety under the supervision of the pharmacist. I played a role in inventory management, helping track stock levels, restock medications, and ensure proper storage conditions. Additionally, I provided over-the-counter (OTC) recommendations, guiding patients toward the right products for minor health concerns. Working in a fast-paced environment taught me teamwork and adaptability. I collaborated with pharmacists and technicians to handle daily operations and even participated in health awareness campaigns, educating patients on important topics like chronic disease management and medication adherence. By the end of my internship, I had gained valuable hands-on experience and a deeper appreciation for patient-centered care. This experience reinforced my passion for pharmacy and my commitment to helping people manage their health effectively.