PICTURE YOURSELF AS PART OF THE TEAM.

How did your school prepare you for your Career?

I think Pennsylvania Hospital did a better job of preparing me for this career than Gwynedd. This may have been because the classes at Gwynedd were not specifically geared towards Medical Technologists however at Pennsylvania Hospital most of my learning took place on the job as a student.

Why did you choose to work at UPHS?

I enjoyed my experience as a student and was already familiar with the staff so it was like being at home. Another reason is the privilege to be working at the nation's first hospital but also to be with the University of Pennsylvania Health System which is responsible for on-going research in medicine. UPHS is a good balance of old and new coming together to bring forth the best.

What is the culture of your Department?

It is very diverse in terms of ethnicity, age and nationality.

Please explain your career development at UPHS?

I started as a student on rotations and spent 5 weeks here learning pharmacy management and hospital pharmacy care. During this time, I was lucky enough to interact with all the pharmacists working at Pennsylvania Hospital. Two weeks after my rotation I was hired as a graduate pharmacist.

Were you mentored? Was the experience positive?

Since I have been here at Pennsylvania Hospital, the entire staff has shared in the responsibility of teaching me how to become a reliable pharmacist. The Director, pharmacy management, all staff pharmacists, and technicians have taken time out to share their personal experience as members of the pharmacy team. It has led to a very well rounded experience while training and I am confident it will lead to my success as a productive contributor in the Health System.

Please briefly explain your career development at UPHS?

I started here in 2001 as a student intern to experience a job in the field that I chose to study in college. I stayed on as an intern until I graduated college and applied for a pharmacist evening position. I have now been working as a pharmacist at Presbyterian for about a year.

Were you mentored? Was this experience positive?

All of the pharmacists helped me in developing my skills in the field. I would just ask a lot of questions and everyone was always very interested in answering my questions.

Why did you choose to work at UPHS?

At the time, it was close to my school and my apartment. I also chose Presbyterian because my family members come to doctors here and the care and bedside manner is the best.

What is the culture of your Department?

The culture of our department is teamwork. Since the first day I started here at HUP I have never felt like I couldn't ask for help or guidance from a co-worker. Usually it is offered without even having to ask. Our department also has a lot of autonomy as far as patient care is concerned. Our opinions are respected hospital -wide and confidence in our ability to assess patients needs and appropriate plan of care is shared by all.

Please briefly explain your career development at UPHS?

In the past year that I have been here I have been promoted from Graduate Respiratory Therapist to Level One Registered Respiratory Therapist. A substantial pay increase also accompanied the title. As I develop and expand my skills here, there are opportunities to move into Level 2, 3 and 4 positions. UPHS also offers tuition assistance to help further develop my professional career.