Page 31 - Retail Pharmacy Assistants - November 2020

PATY STATE/TERRITORY WINNERS 29 I will promote the industry and pharmacy assistants to the community by continuing to provide high quality education and care, while highlighting the importance of the pharmacy assistant role in the profession. By sharing knowledge, and creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere, I hope to encourage more people to want to join our community and really see how amazing it is. Tori McRae-Field, South Australia – Direct Chemist Outlet, Torrensville What have you learnt about yourself and the profession throughout the 2020 PATY process? Throughout the PATY 2020 process I have learnt that we are constantly evolving in all aspects of the pharmacy profession and within ourselves as pharmacy assistants. This process has shown me that I have so many aspirations for myself within my career but also aspirations for my team at Direct Chemist Outlet (DCO) and helping to better the industry in regard to the service that we are providing. 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 am looking forward to so many things. Firstly, I am looking forward to completing the PATY process and meeting the other state finalists ‘virtually’. It’s a shame we can’t meet in person, but nevertheless getting to spend time with like-minded pharmacy assistants is a privilege. I am hoping to achieve growth within my team, within service provided to customers. I am working with my team at the moment to continue training and create a ‘wealth of knowledge’ in our store/team members, to better our service to the wider community. How will you promote the industry and pharmacy assistants to the wider community over the next 12 months? Over the next 12 months I know I will be constantly talking about the PATY awards and what is involved with it. I have already found myself telling people what is involved and how I have gotten to where I am now. I want to be able to be an advocate for pharmacy assistants performing well in their roles and getting the recognition for their work through the PATY awards. A lot of people don’t realise how big a pharmacy assistant’s role is and the continuous training that is required to stay compliant and up to date with our qualifications. By keeping a focus on the PATY awards and the process it will give others a really good indication of a pharmacy assistant’s role and what they do in the pharmaceutical industry. Joshua Edye, Australian Capital Territory – Erindale Pharmacy What have you learnt about yourself and the profession throughout the 2020 PATY process? I have developed a greater appreciation for the high standard of professionalism in our industry – pharmacy is no longer solely retail orientated but rather forms an integral part of the healthcare network as a community health hub. I am humbled to have had numerous opportunities to meet and collaborate with others in the industry from right around the country. It has highlighted so many ways in which pharmacy assistants can get involved in the greater world of community pharmacy. What are you looking forward to most over the next 12 months and what are you hoping to achieve? With a new PIC taking the helm in December, I am looking forward to working with them in expanding our professional services and making full use of our newly furnished second clinic room. Furthermore, I am hoping to continue optimising our dispensary through automation and forecasting programs, truly making our pharmacy a 21st century pharmacy. How will you promote the industry and pharmacy assistants to the wider community over the next 12 months? I will continue to develop and foster relationships with local healthcare providers such as our local dentist, GPs, physiotherapists and aged care providers. I want to continue to support our customers caring for elderly relatives and those with young families by forging strong relationships and raising awareness of pharmacy services through daily interactions, social media channels and our pharmacy newsletter. TO PAGE 30 RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • NOV 2020