Friday, March 2, 2012
Dr. Sebranek Cover Letter
Note that an important activity was added to the calendar. Dr. Sebranek will be presenting regarding writing a cover letter on April 4th after school from 3-4 pm.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Residency Workshop Experience
Greetings student alliance members! I recently had the opportunity to take part in the
residency workshop held at our school for both students of Roseman University and the
University of Utah pharmacy students. The purpose of the workshop was to help aid
students in preparation for residency interviews in the coming future. I have been asked
to share my experience on the night.
The goal after graduation is to hopefully end up in PGY1 residency program. This
workshop was the perfect opportunity to start thinking about what I need to do to prepare
for residency interviews that will happen this time next year. I was thrilled to be selected
as one of the students who would be sitting in on the interview process because I wanted
to get a feel for how these interviews went. I was given the opportunity to ask questions,
however I had no idea how the process worked, nor did I know what type of questions
to ask, hence my desire to be involved in this workshop. At any rate, just sitting in on
the interviews provided me with a great deal worth of tips to aid in residency interview
preparation. Here are just a few things I would like to share with you all.
Interviews regardless of the type are just a nerve-wracking process, and if there was
ever a time for your idiosyncrasies to come out, a residency interview might just bring
them out more so than ever. The interviews were just practice; however every student
that came through was clearly showing some nervousness. I bring this up because every
student had a certain mannerism that manifested itself during the interview that actually
distracted me and focused my attention away from his or her responses to the questions
being asked. For example, one student would maintain eye contact until asked a question,
and then proceeded to look down at the table while their voice became progressively
quieter to the point it was almost difficult to hear their response. This is the value that
practice interviews can provide you because the person interviewing you can identify
your distracting mannerisms and bring them to your attention. As a result, just being
conscious of your mannerisms will put you in a position to control them during the
interview so that the interview panel will not be distracted and be focused on what you
have to say.
I find situational type question are the best kinds of questions to ask and answer. These
types of questions give you the opportunity to display your decision-making ability. I
was interested to see what type of question was going to be asked to the students. The
resident that I was paired up with asked the students how they would handle a physician
who insisted they enter an order for vancomycin for their newly admitted patient. I did
not considered this question too complex, and in fact I immediately saw the intent of the
question, which was confirmed with the resident. The resident explained that she simply
wanted to make sure the students were not just going to casually enter the order for the
vancomycin. She wanted to assess if the students were going to ensure the vancomycin
was appropriate for the patient. Did you check the vancomycin order for accuracy and
completeness? Did you go into their patient profile to do a little research about the
patient? If blood lab cultures were available, would you make sure that the microbe is
in fact gram positive? These were just some examples that she was looking for to make
sure you are doing what you are supposed to do as a pharmacist. After the question, she
then asked the students for the loading dose of vancomycin. Two out of the three students
did not know the loading dose, however those students said exactly the right thing, “I
don’t know, but I would find out by looking it up.” If you’re ever just straight out asked
a dosing question and you do not know the answer, I highly suggest you use the same
response.
The most interesting question that I thought was asked to the students had nothing to
do with the anything pharmacy related. In addition, this question actually caught both
the students and I off guard. I’m not going lie. I was actually hoping for that moment to
occur because I wanted to hear what type of question was going to be asked that would
cause that situation that nobody wants to happen to them when they are interviewing for
a position. That situation where you can’t think of anything to say because you didn’t
anticipate that question, your mind then goes blank, and now you’re in panic mode. So,
the question that was asked, “Tell me a non-pharmacy book that you have recently read.”
Yeah I know, you’re probably thinking that doesn’t seem so bad. I would agree. What I
observed however is that the students almost seemed to have a type of tunnel vision or
a one-track mind when answering the questions. When asked one non-pharmacy related
question, it just threw the students for a loop. One student in fact had a very significant
pause in which a good ten seconds elapsed before uttering a word. Needless to say, it
was uncomfortable to watch. Like I said, I wanted this to happen because in that instant,
there were certain things I learned that kind of just revealed themselves in that moment. I
learned that you really have to do the best you can to try and relax. If you’re relaxed, then
you will be in the moment and your responses will flow naturally and not be clouded.
As for the question, there is obviously no right or wrong answer. The whole point of the
question is to see if you have a life outside pharmacy. It’s another opportunity to learn
about you and your personality. If you’re like me and you don’t read in your free time,
then just say I haven’t read anything recently, but here is what I like to do with my free
time. Just say something! Try to avoid the awkward long pause if at all possible.
These were just a few of the things that stood out to me during the interviews. This
residency workshop was a great experience. I am very fortunate to have had this
opportunity being on the interviewer side of the table. I was able to get a feel for the
type of questions that were going to be asked. I learned about the importance of staying
relaxed. Furthermore, I learned there needs to be a balance between being prepared with
how you answer certain questions, while simultaneously making sure you don’t sound
too rehearsed. I would encourage everyone with residency aspirations to participate in
next year’s workshop. Take advantage of the opportunity because you are likely to learn
something new about the process. It may be just practice, but approach it as if it were the
real thing for you will be better prepared when the time comes and your responses might
perhaps play a pivotal role in helping you obtain a residency position. Next year, I will
be on the other side of the table. We’ll see if I can remember to relax and take my own
advice!
Kc Lee, PharmD candidate 2013
residency workshop held at our school for both students of Roseman University and the
University of Utah pharmacy students. The purpose of the workshop was to help aid
students in preparation for residency interviews in the coming future. I have been asked
to share my experience on the night.
The goal after graduation is to hopefully end up in PGY1 residency program. This
workshop was the perfect opportunity to start thinking about what I need to do to prepare
for residency interviews that will happen this time next year. I was thrilled to be selected
as one of the students who would be sitting in on the interview process because I wanted
to get a feel for how these interviews went. I was given the opportunity to ask questions,
however I had no idea how the process worked, nor did I know what type of questions
to ask, hence my desire to be involved in this workshop. At any rate, just sitting in on
the interviews provided me with a great deal worth of tips to aid in residency interview
preparation. Here are just a few things I would like to share with you all.
Interviews regardless of the type are just a nerve-wracking process, and if there was
ever a time for your idiosyncrasies to come out, a residency interview might just bring
them out more so than ever. The interviews were just practice; however every student
that came through was clearly showing some nervousness. I bring this up because every
student had a certain mannerism that manifested itself during the interview that actually
distracted me and focused my attention away from his or her responses to the questions
being asked. For example, one student would maintain eye contact until asked a question,
and then proceeded to look down at the table while their voice became progressively
quieter to the point it was almost difficult to hear their response. This is the value that
practice interviews can provide you because the person interviewing you can identify
your distracting mannerisms and bring them to your attention. As a result, just being
conscious of your mannerisms will put you in a position to control them during the
interview so that the interview panel will not be distracted and be focused on what you
have to say.
I find situational type question are the best kinds of questions to ask and answer. These
types of questions give you the opportunity to display your decision-making ability. I
was interested to see what type of question was going to be asked to the students. The
resident that I was paired up with asked the students how they would handle a physician
who insisted they enter an order for vancomycin for their newly admitted patient. I did
not considered this question too complex, and in fact I immediately saw the intent of the
question, which was confirmed with the resident. The resident explained that she simply
wanted to make sure the students were not just going to casually enter the order for the
vancomycin. She wanted to assess if the students were going to ensure the vancomycin
was appropriate for the patient. Did you check the vancomycin order for accuracy and
completeness? Did you go into their patient profile to do a little research about the
patient? If blood lab cultures were available, would you make sure that the microbe is
in fact gram positive? These were just some examples that she was looking for to make
sure you are doing what you are supposed to do as a pharmacist. After the question, she
then asked the students for the loading dose of vancomycin. Two out of the three students
did not know the loading dose, however those students said exactly the right thing, “I
don’t know, but I would find out by looking it up.” If you’re ever just straight out asked
a dosing question and you do not know the answer, I highly suggest you use the same
response.
The most interesting question that I thought was asked to the students had nothing to
do with the anything pharmacy related. In addition, this question actually caught both
the students and I off guard. I’m not going lie. I was actually hoping for that moment to
occur because I wanted to hear what type of question was going to be asked that would
cause that situation that nobody wants to happen to them when they are interviewing for
a position. That situation where you can’t think of anything to say because you didn’t
anticipate that question, your mind then goes blank, and now you’re in panic mode. So,
the question that was asked, “Tell me a non-pharmacy book that you have recently read.”
Yeah I know, you’re probably thinking that doesn’t seem so bad. I would agree. What I
observed however is that the students almost seemed to have a type of tunnel vision or
a one-track mind when answering the questions. When asked one non-pharmacy related
question, it just threw the students for a loop. One student in fact had a very significant
pause in which a good ten seconds elapsed before uttering a word. Needless to say, it
was uncomfortable to watch. Like I said, I wanted this to happen because in that instant,
there were certain things I learned that kind of just revealed themselves in that moment. I
learned that you really have to do the best you can to try and relax. If you’re relaxed, then
you will be in the moment and your responses will flow naturally and not be clouded.
As for the question, there is obviously no right or wrong answer. The whole point of the
question is to see if you have a life outside pharmacy. It’s another opportunity to learn
about you and your personality. If you’re like me and you don’t read in your free time,
then just say I haven’t read anything recently, but here is what I like to do with my free
time. Just say something! Try to avoid the awkward long pause if at all possible.
These were just a few of the things that stood out to me during the interviews. This
residency workshop was a great experience. I am very fortunate to have had this
opportunity being on the interviewer side of the table. I was able to get a feel for the
type of questions that were going to be asked. I learned about the importance of staying
relaxed. Furthermore, I learned there needs to be a balance between being prepared with
how you answer certain questions, while simultaneously making sure you don’t sound
too rehearsed. I would encourage everyone with residency aspirations to participate in
next year’s workshop. Take advantage of the opportunity because you are likely to learn
something new about the process. It may be just practice, but approach it as if it were the
real thing for you will be better prepared when the time comes and your responses might
perhaps play a pivotal role in helping you obtain a residency position. Next year, I will
be on the other side of the table. We’ll see if I can remember to relax and take my own
advice!
Kc Lee, PharmD candidate 2013
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Service Activities
During the past few weeks, Student Alliance was busy with two service opportunities. The first was Dash for Dallin and it was a huge success. Dallin's family organized a 5k and fun run to raise money to help pay for his prosthetic leg. We were able to provide the family with 200 Livestrong bracelets and lots of bottled water for the event.
The second project was the tree for Roseman University at the Festival of Trees. It took a lot of time and effort but the tree turned out beautiful and hopefully will raise a lot of money for Primary Children's. Below are some pictures of the decorating day. Thanks to all of your participation and help with these activities!
The second project was the tree for Roseman University at the Festival of Trees. It took a lot of time and effort but the tree turned out beautiful and hopefully will raise a lot of money for Primary Children's. Below are some pictures of the decorating day. Thanks to all of your participation and help with these activities!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Lunchtime learning sessions in November!
Two new lunchtime learning sessions have been established for November!
Tuesday, November 8th at 12:20pm
Katy Mathews from the IMC cardiology department will be coming.
Wednesday, November 30th at 12:20pm
Bruce Leavitt, Residency Director and Clinical Pharmacist Director at IMC, will be coming.
Both of these are great opportunities to learn more about specialties in pharmacy, pharmacy management, and residency. Please come on time!
Tuesday, November 8th at 12:20pm
Katy Mathews from the IMC cardiology department will be coming.
Wednesday, November 30th at 12:20pm
Bruce Leavitt, Residency Director and Clinical Pharmacist Director at IMC, will be coming.
Both of these are great opportunities to learn more about specialties in pharmacy, pharmacy management, and residency. Please come on time!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Dr. Sebranek
Dr. Sebranek will provide a great presentation on September 15th, Thursday, at lunchtime from 12pm-1pm.
Please come on time!
Please come on time!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Career/Residency opportunitiy - Work in managed care!
Dan Goldman from Select Health volunteered his time during our lunch. Thank you Dan! He taught us about what it is like to work in a managed care setting, and it was very valuable. Know your options! His original slideset is posted below. If you are interested in managed care, be sure to delve into the resources (websites) that he mentions in the slides. If you want, you can download the slideshow in its original form (one of the buttons below the slideshow that you can click on), because he has some notes underneath each slide.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Lunchtime learning session - Community Residency Programs
Brandon T Jennings, from the University of Utah, came and filled us in on what a community residency is all about. Thank you so much! I was shocked to learn that the experience can be (and usually is for most programs) just as clinical as as being in an inpatient setting. Community residencies definitely have their pros and cons, and it is important to understand them and know your options. All who attended learned a great deal. If you weren't able to be there, check out the slideshow that Dr. Jennings presented. The University of Utah is opening a new residency this year, and it is the first community residency that is offered there. It is expected that it will be accredited by the end of the first year (so by the time we are ready to apply to it). Be sure to utilize the resources from the end of the slideshow; they are very helpful.
Oh, and have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!
Oh, and have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!
Community Residency Programs
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