Describe a time you had to think quickly on your feet as a pharmacist.

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Answer Example

Depending on where you work as a pharmacist, your typical day may not require you to think quickly on your feet. However, when something happens that requires you to act fast, the interviewers want to be assured that you can. Perhaps you had a patient that was drug-seeking, went into cardiac arrest, became violent or belligerent, or another type of situation that required you to respond quickly. Let the interviewers know when you had to think quickly using your critical thinking skills and the outcome.

"Recently, I was working at the pharmacy in a community clinic when I heard a commotion coming from the waiting room. I rushed out to see what was happening and found a female patient lying unconscious on the ground. The patient's daughter said she passed out after complaining of pain in her chest. I checked her vital signs and found she was in cardiac arrest. I yelled out for my pharmacy tech to call 999 and to have another team member bring me the AED. I started CPR and was joined by a team member who hooked the patient up to the AED. She was not in a shockable rhythm, so we continued CPR until the ambulance arrived. Unfortunately, we found out later that the patient had a massive myocardial infarction, and there was nothing anyone could do for her."

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How to Answer: Describe a time you had to think quickly on your feet as a pharmacist.

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a NHS Band 7 Pharmacist job interview.

2. Describe a time you had to think quickly on your feet as a pharmacist.

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Depending on where you work as a pharmacist, your typical day may not require you to think quickly on your feet. However, when something happens that requires you to act fast, the interviewers want to be assured that you can. Perhaps you had a patient that was drug-seeking, went into cardiac arrest, became violent or belligerent, or another type of situation that required you to respond quickly. Let the interviewers know when you had to think quickly using your critical thinking skills and the outcome.

Written by Krista Wenz on March 26th, 2023

Answer Example

"Recently, I was working at the pharmacy in a community clinic when I heard a commotion coming from the waiting room. I rushed out to see what was happening and found a female patient lying unconscious on the ground. The patient's daughter said she passed out after complaining of pain in her chest. I checked her vital signs and found she was in cardiac arrest. I yelled out for my pharmacy tech to call 999 and to have another team member bring me the AED. I started CPR and was joined by a team member who hooked the patient up to the AED. She was not in a shockable rhythm, so we continued CPR until the ambulance arrived. Unfortunately, we found out later that the patient had a massive myocardial infarction, and there was nothing anyone could do for her."

Written by Krista Wenz on March 26th, 2023

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