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How long have you been working for Illawong Discount Drug Store (DDS)? I’ve been working at Illawong DDS for four years now. Do you have a background in pharmacy? I’ve worked in pharmacy for seven years. I didn’t have any experience when I started, but I built up my knowledge and skills through the help of my peers and the Cert III course. I was hired at the age of 15 as a junior staff member. When I graduated \\\\\\\[from\\\\\\\] high school, I was offered a full-time position at the Illawong store, and I’ve loved every minute. Is pharmacy a career pathway you’ve always been passionate about? No, actually. I was so young when I started and had no idea what I wanted to do when I left school. Working full time at the pharmacy didn’t even occur to me. I hadn’t put much thought into it, but I genuinely enjoyed my job, so when I was offered the position, I was over the moon. This is when I found my passion. I had all of these new goals: I wanted to learn Webster packing, dispensing and I wanted to become the manager. I went on to do all those things. What are your other hobbies and passions outside of pharmacy? When I’m at home, I love to cook. I’ve been really into Italian food lately and have been trying a lot of new recipes with homemade pasta. I also love to kick back and watch Netflix. When I’m not at home, I’m usually with my friends. Recently, with all the hot weather, we’ve been going to the beach or sitting by the pool. What do you enjoy most about working in pharmacy? The thing I most enjoy is that I learn something new every day. Things are always changing and it’s never boring. What is a memorable positive interaction you’ve had with a customer? I think the time that stands out most to me is during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. We would have our regular customers constantly checking on us and asking how we were coping. We even had one customer buy us all drinks every day for a month. The kindness we experienced during these unprecedented times is what kept us going. I know that, personally, I was having trouble coping with the workload and other stresses of the pandemic, so it was nice once in a while to feel that love and appreciation. I don’t think my customers will ever know how much it really meant to me, and I’ll never forget their kind words. “I don’t think my customers will ever know how much it really meant to me, and I’ll never forget their kind words.” What are some of the highlights in your career so far? Definitely when I became the manager of Illawong DDS. It was something I’d been dreaming of for a long time and I felt as if my hard work had paid off. I feel really proud of myself because I know I’ve come a long way from when I was 15. I couldn’t have done it without my team and all the other peers I worked with over the years. They shaped me into the manager I am today. What has been one of the most difficult challenges you’ve had to overcome in pharmacy, and how did you overcome it? The beginning of Covid-19 was by far the most difficult period for me and the team. It brought on a lot of anxiety for us and our customers. We were facing new issues every day (with panic buying and new cases popping up). For a while it was hard to cope. This all just came about so fast, and no one was ready for what was about to happen. Fortunately, I have an amazing, supportive team and we were able to lean on each other when needed. We got through it together, and eventually things started to calm down when we went into lockdown. What is one thing you think all pharmacy assistants should remember? Your kindness can make a difference. One small gesture can make someone’s day. I know there’ve been times when I’ve been a little down in the dumps at work, and sometimes all it takes is a friendly face to turn everything around. Be that person who uplifts your team, customers, reps, etc.! Make it your goal to put a smile on their face. What do you think makes your pharmacy so unique? We’re like a little family. I think it’s one of the many reasons I love my job. I’m really comfortable around the people I work with and I never feel judged when I make mistakes or when I ask silly questions. We all work so well together and we’re a great team. What are your plans for the future, and does it involve pharmacy? I plan to stay at Illawong DDS for a while – I’ve only recently become the manager and I’d like to continue to grow in my role. I wouldn’t mind eventually branching out into other avenues of the industry, although I’m not entirely sure where, yet. I’m just excited for what the future holds. Meet Pharmacy Assistant Julia Field of Illawong Discount Drug Store PHARMACY ASSISTANT PROFILE 27 RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • MAR 2021