As a fresher joining as hospital pharmacist in a hospital what things you should know about.
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- check all medication available on shelf
- there are some charts that are already present in pharmacy , read that too
you should have an ideas about the medications and handling of the prescription and clear communication how to communicate with the patients while dispensing the drugs. And helping them to clear what medications are used before and after eating. All these should be aware as a pharmacist before entering into the hospital.
Most Important thing You Should Know how to communicate with the Patient and make them understand the use of medicine, when to take medicine and how to take medicine
Safely handling and packaging of drugs
Basic drug and dispensing knowledge
Strong communication skills
Be prepared for emergencies
Understand the total system and try to fit in
Join as a fresher in hospital you should have medicine knowledge and know how to handle patient with from communication skills.
You should first have to analyse the people work before your first duty. Then start your work by just checking the medications , and how to prescribe them to patients and what are the basics should be done before restocking the medicines . Always check and compare the new medicines with the old one some may come with vials and some with ampoule so always check them and their dosages.
As a fresher first u theoretical knowledge should be there on your first day duty u can analyze the people working around u how they communicating with patient’s
As a fresher hospital pharmacist, you should know how to read prescriptions, dispense medicines correctly, and store drugs properly.
It’s also important to understand basic hospital protocols, patient safety, and how to work with doctors and nurses as a team.
Mechanisms of drugs
Basic knowledge on major drug interactions
Brand names of drugs
Readiness to discuss something you found out with doctors(Good communincation)
Observation is one of most important thing while beginning.
Observe how the medicines are placed, dispensed and the way of prescription.
As a Fresher Hospital Pharmacist Should Know :
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Basic Drug Knowledge – Common hospital medicines, dosages, and uses.
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Prescription Handling – Read, interpret, and dispense correctly.
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Stock Management – Check expiry, storage, and maintain inventory.
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Patient Counseling – Explain usage, dosage, and side effects simply.
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Software Use – Basic knowledge of hospital pharmacy systems.
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Legal Awareness – Know rules for narcotics and scheduled drugs.
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Emergency Readiness – Know key emergency medicines and crash cart.
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Hygiene & Safety – Follow infection control and safe handling rules.
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Communication Skills – Coordinate with doctors, nurses, and patients.
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Professional Attitude – Be disciplined, punctual, and willing to learn.
Ask these questions on your first day.
- How to handle narcotic prescription.
- Refrigerator medicines
- How to put purchase for stocks
- How to check stocks
- Bulk medicines which are given for a month or so.
- How inventory is managed there,
- learn where which medicines are there and why.
- What to do if you run out of cash?
- Learn which doctor prescribes which medicines regularly.
- Where to Write which medicines are not in your stock and whom to report
Learn common medicines (brand + generic + storage)
Know emergency drugs (adrenaline, atropine, IV fluids)
Read & cross-check prescriptions carefully
Counsel patients (how/when to take meds, side effects)
Communicate clearly with doctors & nurses
Follow safety + infection control protocols
Keep records, manage ward stock, indents
Tip: Observe seniors in the first weeks — practical learning is the best teacher.
What’s the one lesson you think every fresher pharmacist must know on Day 1?