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8 PATY 2021 PA’S ENCOURAGED TO NOMINATE TNHEMSELVES OR COLLEAGUES FOR PATY ominations are starting to roll in for the 2021 Pharmacy Guild of Australia/Maxigesic Pharmacy Assistant of the Year Award (PATY), which opened on 15 March. PATY is the premier award for Australian pharmacy assistants, recognising and celebrating the ‘best of the best’ in community pharmacy and honouring outstanding pharmacy assistants’ skills, knowledge, leadership and customer service across 12 months. Pharmacy assistants across Australia are being encouraged to self-nominate or to nominate a pharmacy assistant colleague who has demonstrated excellence during 2020. “This past year has been a tough one for many of us,” newly elected Pharmacy Guild National President Professor Trent Twomey said. “The PATY award is one of the best ways to encourage your fellow pharmacy assistants and say thank you for all their hard work in the community and within the industry.” Last year Ben King from Alice Springs Pharmacy was recognised as Australia’s outstanding pharmacy assistant. He had previously submitted a PATY nomination, but wasn’t successful in becoming one of the Northern Territory finalists that year. However, he nominated again in 2020, and was triumphant as the national winner, scoring more than $10,000 in prizes. Mr King says the best thing about winning PATY is the reach across the industry it provides. “I’m presenting myself to hundreds of others in the industry and representing the Northern Territory, Alice Springs, the NT Pharmacy Guild brand, my company and the wonderful people I work with,” he said. “I’m also now representing every male worker in the pharmacy industry, as the first male winner, which is extraordinary.” After being nominated or self- nominating, applicants must complete a response to selection criteria. Up to 10 candidates per state/territory will then be short-listed to participate in a virtual state/ territory workshop where winners from each state and territory will be selected. “The PATY award is one of the best ways to encourage your fellow pharmacist assistants and say thank you for all their hard work in the community and within the industry.” State/territory winners then go on to participate in a national judging workshop held in Brisbane in October, before the national winner is announced at the Pharmacy Assistant National Conference (a Covid-Safe event), which is to be held at the Sofitel in Brisbane on 22-23 October. The Pharmacy Guild says PATY offers participants some amazing opportunities, with the top 10 finalists in each state/territory being invited to take part in state/territory workshops, which provide professional development opportunities. State/territory winners also receive a trophy, travel and registration to select events, exclusive training and development sessions, and a profile in national Guild electronic and social media platforms, plus external media. The national winner receives more than $10,000 worth of prizes, including a trophy, a cash prize of $5000, a customised training package, and return flights, accommodation and registration to the Australian Pharmacy Professional Conference (APP) and the Pharmacy Assistant National Conference in 2022. Anyone interested in nominating themselves or an outstanding pharmacy assistant is encouraged to visit pharmacyassistants.com/paty. Third party nominations close on 2 July. RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • APR 2021