Who will be the 2018 National Pharmacy Assistant of the Year? NT, support your Winner Anita at the Pharmacy Assistant National Conference on 25-27 October 2018 at Sea World Resort, Gold Coast. Meet and learn from all of the State Winners on how they became the ‘best of the best’ during the Q&A session on 26 October. Then witness who will be announced as the National Winner at the Conference Dinner that night! Learn more at www.pharmacyassistants.com.
PATY NT Winner
Anita Jones from Amcal+ Palmerston Health Centre Pharmacy
- What was your reaction when they called your name as the NT Winner?
I was absolutely shocked that I won – I couldn’t believe it! There were so many great people there and any one of us could have won. I went into the day thinking it was a good opportunity to learn and meet other people. To win was a lovely surprise to the end of a really good day and a really good session with other fantastic state finalists.
- How did you first get into pharmacy? Can you give me a brief overview of your career in pharmacy?
I got my first job in a pharmacy when I was 16. I decided I wanted to leave school to start earning money to buy a house. It was 1987 and my first job paid $161 a week. I initially started in pharmacy thinking it would be a stepping stone and I had no idea it would become my career. I’ve now been working in pharmacy for 31 years. I’ve worked with so many fantastic people over the years and have made so many pharmacy friends. I love the job and enjoy the different challenges. I still love it. In fact, I think I love it more now that I’ve had so much experience!
- What qualifications do you have and who did you complete your training with?
I am a NZ qualified pharmacy technician and I’m just on my last assignment now for my Certificate IV in Dispensary with the Guild so hopefully soon I’ll be an Australian qualified pharmacy technician.
- How do you think training has benefited you in your career and what are your career goals?
The training has definitely benefited me as you learn so much. I think the most important thing for any pharmacy assistant to know is that working in a pharmacy can definitely be a lifetime career and one that you can enjoy. It’s an ever-changing environment and pharmacy is always moving. I’ve personally nearly completed my Certificate IV and I feel you’re never too old to learn – it’s good to keep your qualifications relevant. Although I am a NZ qualified pharmacy technician, to now live and work in Australia, it’s a great feeling of satisfaction to nearly achieve my Australian Certificate IV qualification. My goal is to keep learning and advance my career through education.
- Tell us about your PATY experience so far?
It’s been really amazing! For me personally, I was very surprised to win. I’m really looking forward to going to the Pharmacy Assistant National Conference and meeting with like-minded people and other State Winners. I think that there is a lot to learn and a lot of people to meet.
- What was the workshop day like?
It was really well organised and really informative. In just a short time, I learnt a lot. Particularly from the other participants with their ideas they had to share. It was good for gaining information and other things you may have not thought of.
- Would you encourage others to participate in PATY in the future? Why?
Absolutely! The State Workshop was such a beneficial and fun day. Don’t worry about winning – just go out and enjoy the day. Really, it’s education for everybody and wherever you can educate yourself is always a really good idea. I would encourage everyone to hopefully get nominated (or nominate yourself!) and attend the day.
- What have you gained from PATY so far?
There seems to be a whole realm of information that I am yet to tap into so PATY has opened a whole portal of information that is out there that you can benefit from.
- What do you hope to achieve?
PATY has already affected me in such a positive way and it was such a great feeling to be recognised and honoured in this way. To not only be chosen and represent NT and the pharmacy I work in, but perhaps other pharmacy assistants in Australia. I believe that although the pharmacists are the heartbeat of every pharmacy, the pharmacy assistants are like the blood that runs through the pharmacy veins. We are really important and sometimes undervalued. I think it’s really important to have good pharmacy assistants to make a successful business and we can definitely make a huge difference to the bottom lines and have the ability to turn a struggling business into a successful one. I think that’s done through excellent customer service and having a knowledge or base of information which you gain from education.
- Why would you encourage a person to nominate someone or themselves for PATY?
I would encourage everyone to nominate either themselves or some else for PATY as it’s an opportunity that you shouldn’t miss. It was such a humbling experience to be nominated in the first place. To have someone believe in you is a real confidence booster and you shouldn’t underestimate the gift of nomination. I had so much fun on the State Workshop Day. It’s an opportunity to meet other like-minded people, learn and have fun in a really well structured day.
- What would you like to see change in pharmacy?
I would like to see all pharmacy assistants realising that pharmacy can be a career and a very good one. It would be great to get industry leaders and pharmacy owners on board and change everyone’s thinking to really value their staff and realise pharmacy assistants have years of knowledge to share really valuable ideas. Personally, I am very fortunate to work for a pharmacy that really value their staff, and often ask us for ideas and take on board our suggestions. This gives staff a say within the business and results in loyalty from staff. Keeping staff long term is great for business. I think it’s a win-win for everyone.
- What do you love about pharmacy?
I love that every day is different. I love the daily challenges and not knowing what each day will bring. It’s a satisfying feeling being able to help other people by guiding them to a satisfactory outcome to their health. In pharmacy, you get many different questions by customers and it’s our job to help them as much as we can. Of course we all refer back to the pharmacist when necessary but it’s so nice to have the knowledge backing you up to be able to help customers directly. I always try to be efficient, helpful and friendly. It’s great to be able to have a laugh with customers and send them out the door with a smile on their face and at the very least, feeling better than when they walked in. I especially love the challenge of winning over a grumpy customer – they are my favourite people to serve.
- Advice to give to new pharmacy assistants?
For someone starting out in pharmacy, I would say to them don’t expect to know everything straight away as there’s so much to learn. In saying that, do everything you can to get education. Do the Guild courses, make the most of opportunities that come around and, say yes to all training online, in-store or by your manager. Let yourself be open to learning. Education will be the most valuable tool you’ll ever have and you can have a career in pharmacy. It’s a job you can do anywhere – most small towns, big cities and all suburbs have pharmacies. People are always grateful to employ a knowledgeable pharmacy assistant who can basically walk straight into a job and hit the ground running. You can be a very valuable team member and have a great career.