I recently completed an internship with RxPharmacist, having learned about the opportunity through my school newsletter. I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for the enriching experience and to provide feedback on the valuable insights gained during my time as an intern.
Prior to joining RxPharmacist, I had completed a rotation with a pharmaceutical company in the scientific communications division. It was during this period that I discovered my keen interest in medical writing. Eager to further develop my skills, I applied for the RxPharmacist internship and was thrilled to be accepted.
Throughout my internship, I had the opportunity to work on editing MPJE guides for three different states. Each guide presented a unique set of challenges as they were formatted differently, and the process of understanding and consolidating pharmacy laws from diverse sources proved to be a valuable learning experience. I discovered that not all states provide straightforward access to their laws online. Some require additional effort to compile and update the necessary information for the guides. RxPharmacist MPJE guides combine information from all sources in one document for the purpose of assisting users with simplifying their studying process and ensuring they pass their exams from the first try.
One of the most commendable aspects of the internship was the continuous and detailed feedback I received from my preceptor. Their insights were instrumental in enhancing my medical writing and punctuation skills. I appreciated the accessibility of the preceptors, who could be contacted at any time via Slack and were prompt in responding to queries. The one-on-one sessions offered allowed me to clarify instructions and address any confusion. Interns are fully supported by their preceptors who are always available to answer any questions or confusions.
The feedback received after each project draft proved invaluable, helping me identify and rectify errors I was previously unaware of. I learned various techniques on Microsoft Word to maintain consistent formatting and avoid common pitfalls. I honed my paraphrasing skills while simplifying complex pharmacy laws by properly referencing laws and ensuring accurate representation.
Additionally, the internship provided an opportunity to enhance my question creation skills, a task assigned to generate a specific number of questions for each guide. This not only improved my understanding of the content but also contributed to my preparation for the MPJE exam. Looking at the laws of different states through this internship also raised my awareness on similarities and differences of pharmacist scope of practice in different states which can restrict a pharmacist in one state while permit in another.
Other than the projects, this internship also offers free ‘How to find a job’ live sessions during the fall (as well as for summer internship programs) where students can learn proper resume or CV presentation, how to answer interview questions, how to negotiate salaries, and much more. The instructor is available in the session to ask questions, discuss concerns, and practice elevator pitch and interview questions. This program has helped several students find jobs upon graduation and I am excited to use the skills I learned to find a job once I graduate.
Despite the challenges of managing the internship alongside school commitments during the fall semester, I appreciate the understanding and flexibility demonstrated by my preceptor when extensions were necessary. I wholeheartedly recommend this internship to anyone seeking to improve their medical writing skills.
Thank you once again for the invaluable experience, and I look forward to applying the skills acquired during my time at RxPharmacist in my future endeavors.
-Amira H., Howard University