Page 23 - RPA Magazine December 2020

HANDING OVER THE BATON PATY 2019 WINNER 21 Icouldn’t have pictured a better way of rounding off my year as 2019 Pharmacy Assistant of the Year than being able to participate in the PATY state/territory and national judging process. What a remarkable group of finalists we have this year. Everyone has their own strengths and unique vison for the evolution of pharmacy assistants in Australia. The standout among the group was Benjamin King from Alice Springs Pharmacy in the Northern Territory, who not only showed his skills and knowledge as a pharmacy assistant, but also his sincerity and inclusiveness towards the rest of the group. His passion and drive for pharmacy was apparent and I can’t wait for you all to meet him at APP21 and the Pharmacy Assistant National Conference. The other state finalists are not to be underestimated, though, as they also showed great understanding of and enthusiasm for our craft. I thoroughly enjoyed watching each of them present their ideas for future professional services in pharmacy and am very much looking forward to meeting them all in person and picking their brains about how we can take the pharmacy assistant professional to the next level. I was able to present a few parting words to all the finalists about what to expect for the next 12 months, as well Say yes to everything that comes your way. This will be a huge year for professional and personal growth, so don’t turn down any opportunities. Finalists are invited to participate in podcasts, attend industry events and be involved with the Retail Pharmacy Assistants magazine’s Q&A column each month. Remember that people are waiting to hear what you have to say, so be sure to speak up. Support each other. The 2019 state/ territory finalists and I chat every week, if not daily, and we still support and encourage each other to be the best we can be. During the national finals we challenged each other to push ourselves, and we formed an amazing bond because of this. I hope every group of finalists get the opportunity to experience that, too. Have fun. An oldie but a goodie. I can honestly say I had the time of my life during judging and throughout the year as reigning champ. Every experience is what you make of it. Make it a good one! I will now officially hand over to Ben to take the reins for the monthly PATY column, but if you see any of this year’s finalists out and about, please go up and introduce yourself. I know they’re busting to get out there and meet you all as soon as the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. By Brianne Lowe, 2019 Pharmacy Guild of Australia/Maxigesic Pharmacy Assistant of the Year. as my top tips for making the most out of your PATY program. I thought I would share these with you all now to give you some insight into what happens behind the scenes. Top five tips for getting the most out of your PATY experience Don’t be scared to step outside your comfort zone. This experience is all about pushing you to be the best you can be, so don’t be scared to try new things or experiences that may have intimidated you in the past. Believe it or not, I’m not a public speaker, but have found that if you’re speaking about things you’re passionate about, things flow much easier. Proudly wear your PATY finalist/winner badge every day. I recommend this because: • You should be proud of your outstanding achievement, being recognised among a pool of many for a reason. • It’s a great conversation starter, as you’re now an ambassador for the PATY program. I still enjoy boasting about how the program has changed the way I look at pharmacy and emphasising that it was the most worthwhile experience to work alongside other amazing pharmacy assistants. RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • DEC 2020