Georgia Higgins

During my time at the UEA undertaking my MPharm degree, I have worked part-time at Manor Farm Medical Centre. My job roles include serving patients, dealing with queries, communicating with primary and secondary care healthcare professionals, completing MDS trays, dispensing and dealing with the numerous clinical letters received in relation to medication. This job role has allowed me to practice and cement the learnings from university. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, I have helped with the COVID vaccination clinics, based at my workplace. I completed the admin and data entry and ensured that the correct clinical questions were asked beforehand. I have also had the opportunity in the autumn of 2020 and 2021 to complete flu vaccination training which has led me to holding my own flu clinics, administering jabs on site at the GP practice and in the local care homes.

I achieved my level 3 pharmacy technician qualification through an apprenticeship with the Lincolnshire Co-op. My main roles were to serve patients, deal with queries, offer advice, C-card scheme, MDS trays, end of the month and more! The Lincolnshire Co-op taught me the absolute importance of patient-centred care and I always go out of my way to ensure that I meet this. I helped in the training of other members of staff and played a role in helping new apprentice starters. During my role at the Lincolnshire Co-op, I also spent one morning per week at Skegness hospital. Ordering stock for patients, dealing with medication queries by hospital staff, completing stock checks and CD checks. In addition to working alongside numerous other healthcare professionals from occupational therapy, nurses, doctors, consultants etc.

I am currently in my final year of the MPharm degree at UEA. I started my time at UEA in the foundation year which gave me the tools and underpinning knowledge required to start the 1st year of the MPharm. Throughout the last 4 years, I have completed placements in community pharmacy, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) and in a GP practice, shadowing a clinical pharmacist. I have also had the opportunity to undertake IPL which included working with other students from different healthcare courses and attending a placement in the operating theatre at the NNUH. Throughout my degree I have learnt a wide aspect of skills such as, communicating with other healthcare professionals, consultation skills and learning how to identify pharmaceutical care issues.