The transition from university to professional practice is one of the most important stages in a pharmacist’s career. For foundation trainee pharmacist Beth McIlrath, the first six months working at Cloughmills Pharmacy in Northern Ireland have provided valuable insight into the realities of community pharmacy, from patient care to managing the pressures of a busy dispensary.
Supported by her educational supervisor Gillian McKee and the wider pharmacy team, Beth has been able to develop her clinical skills, gain confidence when speaking with patients and experience first hand the pace and variety of community pharmacy.
Reflecting on the experience so far, Beth says the past six months have given her a well rounded introduction to both the clinical and operational aspects of pharmacy practice.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have such a positive start to my foundation year,” she explains. “With the support of Gillian and the whole team at Cloughmills Pharmacy, I’ve been able to build a strong understanding of the clinical, legal and operational side of running an independent pharmacy.”
Her first months in practice also coincided with the busy Christmas period, offering a clear picture of the increasing demands placed on community pharmacy teams.
“It was a great opportunity to see just how busy pharmacies can become and how important they are within their local communities, particularly during the winter months when demand for prescriptions and advice increases.”
Learning in a busy environment
One of the biggest surprises for Beth has been the pace of the working day. Managing multiple priorities while maintaining patient safety requires focus and adaptability.
“Pharmacies can be extremely busy, especially at the start of the week or during holiday periods,” she says. “You quickly learn how to prioritise tasks and switch your focus between dispensing, patient queries and clinical services.”
Beth has also been able to gain valuable experience delivering clinical services, including Pharmacy First consultations, which have helped strengthen her confidence in assessing symptoms and recommending appropriate treatments.
“Because Pharmacy First covers a wide range of minor ailments, it has really helped develop my clinical knowledge,” she explains. “It has also been important to learn how to identify red flag symptoms and know when a patient should be referred to another healthcare professional.”
Carrying out and interpreting diagnostic tests for services such as urinary tract infection and sore throat schemes has also given Beth practical experience that will support her future role as a pharmacist prescriber.
Building relationships with patients
For Beth, one of the most rewarding aspects of working in community pharmacy has been the opportunity to interact directly with patients.
“Building trust and rapport with patients has probably been the part I’ve enjoyed the most,” she says.
Community pharmacies are often the most accessible healthcare setting, and Beth believes this accessibility allows pharmacists to build strong relationships with the people they serve.
“Patients visit their pharmacy regularly and become familiar with the team. That means they often feel comfortable coming to us with concerns or asking for advice, which is a really important part of the pharmacist’s role.”
These interactions have also reinforced the responsibility pharmacists have in ensuring medicines are used safely and effectively.
“Every patient interaction is an opportunity to help optimise medicines use and identify potential issues, whether that’s an interaction, side effect or something that needs further investigation.”
Developing communication skills
Working with patients from a wide range of backgrounds has also helped Beth refine her communication skills.
Clear and adaptable communication is essential when explaining medicines and treatments, particularly when working with patients who may have additional needs.
“With encouragement from my educational supervisor, I’ve had the chance to support patients with different communication needs, including children and patients with hearing impairments,” Beth explains. “Those experiences really help build confidence.”
Balancing work and study
Alongside the practical experience of working in the pharmacy, foundation trainees must also prepare for the registration assessment, which can make the training year particularly demanding.
“Balancing full time work with studying has probably been the biggest challenge,” Beth admits.
Developing a structured routine has helped her maintain a healthy work life balance.
“I try to plan my study time in advance and make sure I also leave space to relax. The protected four hours of study time each week have been really helpful as well.”
Maintaining that balance is important in preventing burnout during what can be an intense year of learning and development.
The importance of team support
Beth is quick to highlight the importance of having a supportive team environment during the training year.
“The support from Gillian and the entire pharmacy team has been invaluable,” she says.
At busy times, collaboration across the team ensures patient needs continue to be met efficiently.
“When the pharmacy gets busy, everyone works together and supports each other. That team dynamic makes a huge difference.”
Looking ahead to the next stage of training
Beth will soon move into the next stage of her training at Antrim Area Hospital, where she will gain experience in hospital pharmacy and clinical inpatient care.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how pharmacy works in a hospital setting and applying my clinical knowledge in a different environment,” she says.
The placement will also include a prescribing practice period as part of her training to become an independent prescriber, an increasingly important development within the pharmacy profession.
Advice for future pharmacy trainees
Reflecting on the first half of her training year, Beth encourages pharmacy students to take every opportunity to learn during placements.
“You get out what you put into each placement,” she says.
Understanding the dispensing process and recognising common errors are important early steps, but Beth also emphasises the value of engaging with patients.
“Be confident in your knowledge and take the opportunity to speak with patients when you can. At the same time, don’t be afraid to ask questions and learn from the pharmacists and technicians around you.”
Above all, Beth encourages trainees to make the most of the experience.
“The training year goes by very quickly, so it’s important to get involved with the team, learn as much as possible and enjoy the experience.”