Pharmacy Field Experience Essay

For nearly one year, I’ve had the opportunity to work with the Austin PrEP Access Project (APAP), a volunteer-run health clinic that specializes in HIV prevention. Regardless of socioeconomic status, race, sexuality, or gender identity, we’ve been able to provide our community with a safe and comfortable environment that fulfills various medical necessities. Moreover, we’ve been able to eliminate most financial barriers by utilizing copay and financial assistance programs, ensuring that nearly everyone receives appropriate access to STI testing, treatment, and prevention resources. My experience at APAP has taught me how to appropriately facilitate dialogue while conveying respect and compassion to our patients, which ultimately enhances the quality of care we can provide. Patients often express how welcomed they feel when visiting our clinic, and this
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned about the pharmacy profession is that it is a high-paced environment that constantly requires multitasking while maintaining diligence in every duty that is performed. While some may view this type of environment as stressful, I personally find it invigorating; constantly taking on and completing various tasks conveys a sense of accomplishment, and being attentive to every customer refines the patient-provider relationship.
Working as a pharmacy technician has imparted an immense amount of knowledge that I could not have gained elsewhere, and I am extremely grateful for the team I work with. My pharmacists truly lead by example and have been role models to aspire to. As a future pharmacist, I will strive to provide the best service possible in order to improve the health and livelihood of those I