MPharm interview preparation 10/11 March 2024 Contents The key skills of a pharmacist Interview question types explained General university questions Pharmacy related questions Scenario questions The online interview Some options for additional preparation Key skills and knowledge A pharmacist needs: to be thorough and pay attention to detail the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure sensitivity and understanding patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/ pharmacist maths knowledge excellent verbal communication skills the ability to read English to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently customer service skills 01 Your motivation Explain your reasons for studying MPharm, your interest in that university, and why you want to study in the UK. 02 03 Personal values You need to demonstrate you have the values and professionalism needed by a healthcare professional. Situational judgement This tests your decision-making skills. You are given a scenario and asked you how you would respond. 04 Your questions You can ask the interviewer questions about the course or life at their university. General questions Tell us about yourself. Why have you chosen MPharm? Why are you interested in our university? Why do you want to study in the UK? Describe your academic accomplishments. What are your career goals? LJM: Personal skills questions How would you describe your communication skills? Give an example of a time when you demonstrated leadership skills? How do you handle stress and pressure? Tell us about a time when you had to adapt to a new situation or environment. How would you approach working with people from diverse backgrounds? Can you describe a time when you had to solve a problem creatively? LJM: Motivation questions What inspired you to pursue a career in pharmacy? How will you stay motivated in your studies and work as a pharmacy student? How do you stay up-to-date on advancements in the pharmaceutical industry? What do you think is the biggest issue facing the pharmaceutical industry today, and how would you address it? How do you see your role as a pharmacist in improving patient care? What qualities do you think are important for a pharmacist to possess, and how do you embody them? What impact do you hope to have on the healthcare industry as a pharmacist? LJM: Scenario questions How would you handle a customer who believes that the medication they were given is incorrect? Can you provide an example of a time when you had to think quickly to resolve a problem? How would you approach a patient who is non-compliant with their medication regimen? How would you counsel a patient who is concerned about the potential side effects of a new medication? Can you describe a situation where you had to work with a team to complete a task? How would you handle a situation where a prescription was illegible or incomplete? Can you provide an example of a time when you had to communicate important information to someone else? MPharm questions Discuss a current issue in the pharmaceutical industry and your potential contribution to solving it. Describe your understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). How have your previous studies have prepared you for this program? Discuss a recent scientific discovery in the field of pharmacy and its potential impact. MPharm questions II Can you describe the key attributes and values that you believe are essential for a successful pharmacist? How do you plan to uphold the values of professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct in your future pharmacy practice? How important is empathy in providing patient-centred care in a pharmacy? Can you provide an example of a time when you demonstrated problem-solving skills and adaptability in a challenging situation? How important are communication and collaboration with other healthcare professionals in ensuring the best possible patient outcomes? MPharm questions III How would you balance the patient safety and confidentiality with the need to report an error or harmful incident to your superiors or regulatory bodies? How would you handle a situation where a patient’s cultural or personal beliefs conflict with the recommended course of treatment? How would your values and attributes guide your response? How important is lifelong learning to the pharmacy profession? Can you provide an example of a time when you worked effectively within a team to address a complex or challenging issue? The online interview Before the interview: Test your video call software and internet connection. Choose a quiet and well-lit environment. Prepare your personal statement, CV, photo ID, a pen and paper. Prepare a neat background. Eliminate distractions around you. The online interview During the interview: Relax, be enthusiastic and keep eye contact with the camera. Dress smartly and speak clearly. Listen carefully and show interest. Give detailed answers (not just yes/no). Politely ask the interviewer to rephrase or clarify if you do not understand a question. Remember that you are speaking with a course teacher. Research & presentations topics: A current issue/problem in the pharmaceutical industry A recent pharmaceutical development that interests you Extra preparation resources: https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/i-am-student https://www.rpharms.com/ De Montfort interview guide: https://www.dmu.ac.uk/documents/study/interviews/guides/pharmacy-mpharm-year-zero.pdf Online Maths for Pharmacy course at Wolverhampton: https://wlv.eu-west.catalog.canvaslms.com/browse/equivalence/courses/pharmacy-maths-course Drug dose calculation: https://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/study/let/Resources-for-MSN/drug-calculations https://www.coursera.org https://www.edx.org/