Arousa Yaqub

Situated opposite the Holywood Arches Health Centre, the largest and most popular in the area containing three floors of General Practitioners… This Pharmacy is always thriving. My duties involve furthering my dispensing expertise and applying my knowledge to better patient counselling and care. I introduced and coordinate the Managed Repeat Service, and Medicines Management Scheme. Soon after joining I was promoted to Pharmacy Ethical & Generic Buyer, which entails Tendering and liaising with Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Suppliers on a daily basis negotiating figures to bring in the best priced stock for the three branches of McKay Pharmacy. I have also obtained six Counter Excellence Course Certificates during my time at McKays. A thoroughly enjoyable, gratifying and varied role which I excel in.

Working in one of the busiest pharmacy’s in the area, I was able to strengthen my team work skills and dispensing efficiency and speed. My first time working in a retail pharmacy I found the role exciting and was rewarded with working alongside a cooperative and supportive team, great job satisfaction and above all customer appreciation. As well as dispensing I liaised with the local surgery’s and health centres, sorting queries for patients, ordering repeat prescriptions, dispensing mediboxes, managing stock levels, providing patient counselling and advice on OTC medicines to the public. I was responsible for the ’30 minute tutorials’ during my time there and had the opportunity to work in other Boots stores e.g. Ards Shopping Centre, Holywood High Street, and also I am trained in MDS dispensing for Nursing Homes, and have had the pleasure to work in Bangor Main Street and Belfast City Centre in the MDS Departments.

An enjoyable varied role in a busy hospital pharmacy. Gaining valuable experience working in the main hospital dispensary processing ward requisitions and prescriptions, plus working on the wards monitoring their stock and adjusting it accordingly by liaising with the appropriate ward staff and clinical pharmacists. Trained in the use of control drugs, aseptics, and sterile dispensing procedures, production of chemotherapy (working in the oncology pharmacy at Belfast City Hospital as a part of a rotation), Cystic Fibrosis scripts use of syringe drivers and much more. Working full time and studying for the Pharmacy Certificate for two years I learnt how to manage my duties and my time being lucky enough to put the theory into practice.

Situated on the Malone Road, the guesthouse is constantly busy as it is close to Queen’s University and the City Centre - especially during conferences, festivals and summer months. Working part-time during my studies I have further developed my communication and time management skills. As well as acquiring an insight into the essentials of hospitality and customer/quality assurance.

Tasks include:
- Dealing with inquiries via telephone/e-mail/post
- Booking reservations, handling cancellations
- Sorting out deposits/payments by credit cards, cheques/associated accounts work
- Meeting and greeting guests on arrival, giving them tour of property and showing them their rooms
- Tackling any problems/complaints
- Responding to special requests, assisting guests with special needs etc…

Research in the Sinai Desert. Involving extensive trekking in high temperatures and camping in the wild whilst carrying out numerous scientific surveys of Plants and Mammals, Birds and Reptiles in the harsh climate. Will power, enthusiasm and also the practical application of skills learned in my Biological Science Degree were tested on the expedition. Proving my independence and perseverance as an individual, taking on new challenges and to put into practice the theory of my studies, always wanting to increase my knowledge and experience more.