Page 30 - Retail Pharmacy Assistants - November 2020

28 PATY STATE/TERRITORY WINNERS INTRODUCING THE 2020 PATY state/territory winners The dream of representing their state/territory in a national award that recognises outstanding pharmacy assistants has become a reality for the eight State/Territory Winners competing in the 2020 Pharmacy Guild of Australia/Maxigesic Pharmacy Assistant of the Year Award (PATY). This month Retail Pharmacy Assistants’ Margaret Mielczarek chats with the State/Territory Winners about what they learnt throughout the 2020 PATY process, what they’re looking forward to over the next 12 months and how they plan to shine the spotlight on the ever-evolving industry throughout 2021. James Brown, New South Wales – Blaxland Day and Night Pharmacy What have you learnt about yourself and the profession throughout the 2020 PATY process? Throughout the PATY process I have learnt to trust in my abilities to provide a higher quality service to our patients and have been reminded of fundamental values of empathy, kindness, respect and patience that I have learnt throughout my years of being a pharmacy assistant. I have learnt that the profession itself provides us with many unique challenges, in terms of challenging our abilities to be empathetic, understanding and our knowledge of the human body. What are you looking forward to most over the next 12 months and what are you hoping to achieve? Over the next 12 months I want to keep developing the fundamental skills of empathy, understanding and knowledge – to keep revising and improving my own abilities to maintain a high level of care for my patients. I hope to learn more about the pharmacy profession and truly make a positive and significant impact on the local community and to a reach higher level in the industry. How will you promote the industry and pharmacy assistants to the wider community over the next 12 months? RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • NOV 2020