February 22, 2025, by ZY
Experience Sharing: Summer Internship at Sunway Medical Centre
By Ms. Yong Zi Yao, who is currently a Year 3 Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) student based at the University of Nottingham, UK.
Where did you do your summer internship? How long was it?
I completed my summer internship in the pharmacy department of Sunway Medical Centre. This internship lasted for four weeks, from 1st to 26th July 2024.
What did it involve?
During the four weeks, I rotated through several areas, including the outpatient pharmacy, inpatient pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, and the pharmacy store department.
In the outpatient pharmacy, I was assigned to a few locations, where I observed the dispensing process and helped with stock checking. As different locations have different specialty, I was able to learn more about the drugs specific to each field. In the inpatient pharmacy, I worked with the ward stock team, where I assisted in creating labels for medication bins and learned advanced Excel functions to manage and analyse medicinal data.
For clinical pharmacy, I was given simulated case studies to study and analyse, which allowed me to apply classroom knowledge to practical scenarios. This experience help bridged the gap between academic learning and real-life application and strengthened my understanding of clinical practices. In the pharmacy store, I helped prepare indented medications for various pharmacy locations and arranged new stock on shelves. This exposed me to numerous medications I had not encountered before, as well as enhancing my understanding of different drug brand names alongside the generic names learned in class.
What did you find interesting throughout this experience?
I was able to observe the use of ADCs (automated dispensing cabinets) in the wards to automate the dispensing process. I also observed the various drug transportation systems, such as the pneumatic tube system which deliver items in cylinder containers via the network of tubes around the hospital, and the dumbwaiter lifts that are in specific buildings. I had not seen these systems before, so it amazed me to see these technological advancements being used to improve healthcare delivery.
How did the summer internship support your learning and future career development?
The internship provided me with practical exposure to various aspects of pharmacy operations, which complemented what I learnt in my academics. It allowed me to practice applying my academic knowledge in real-world settings, and this experience further enhanced my understanding of a hospital pharmacist’s career.
What is one take home message you obtain from this experience?
It is very important to be attentive to detail in every aspect of pharmacy practice, from transporting to managing inventory to dispensing. During my internship, I saw firsthand how small mistakes could lead to unexpected issues, and this reinforced the importance of being thorough and precise in my future career, to reduce errors and prevent potential harm to the patient.
What is your advice to current or prospective students on signing up for summer internships?
Summer internships provide invaluable hands-on experience that enhances your academic knowledge and offers insights into different career paths within pharmacy. Don’t hesitate to apply for internships, and I hope you enjoy your time and learn a lot from the experience!
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