Rebecca is the fabulous pharmacy assistant who took out the honour of Queensland PATY Finalist in 2014. She has worked in pharmacy for 15 years and is the Retail Manager at Terry White Chemists Myer Centre in Brisbane. Rebecca is passionate about training and keeping on top of her product knowledge so she can assist her customers.
We wanted to see what makes Rebecca tick and get to know her a little better, so had a chat with her recently:
How did you feel about your PATY experience?
I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, the state workshop day was very hands on and I got a lot out of it. The PA Conference was great too, as finalists we did public speaking training, which is a skill I think most people are keen to improve on and a life skill you use every day when interacting with people – both customers and colleagues.
Would you encourage others to get involved with PATY in the future?
Absolutely! There were pharmacy assistants from all different types of pharmacies, from large like mine to pharmacies that operate with one pharmacist and one pharmacy assistant. There are so many pharmacy assistants who make a difference and it’s great to be recognised for doing something you enjoy.
Will you be keeping in touch with any of your fellow PATY Finalists?
Yes – thank goodness for Facebook. (Speaking of Facebook, have you liked the Australian Pharmacy Assistants page yet? Head over to see what PAs around Australia have been talking about.)
What are your future career goals?
I’m not sure – I love my current role and love the people I work with. I also have amazing mentors in my owners and I still find every day a challenge; so for the moment, I am happy here – who knows what the future holds.
What has being a finalist in the Pharmacy Assistant of the Year Award brought to your career?
It has definitely broadened my network and given me opportunities that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I have been offered a few jobs which is flattering. I also have the opportunity to be involved in PA News, by writing a column, which I’m really excited about.
Do you have a particular area of expertise/interest that has changed/improved since being involved with PATY?
We have our QCPP accreditation coming up in February and there were a few things we covered that have helped with that, which was good timing. I also look at public speaking in a different way and prepare for my team meetings more efficiently.
Do you have any key take away messages for other PAs or those looking to get into pharmacy roles?
It’s a great career choice, working in a pharmacy requires so many skills you never get bored and it also offers lots of flexibility so it’s great for work/life balance.
How important is training for you (and your staff)?
Training in anything you do is important, it’s always good to improve your skills and knowledge. Sometimes it can be a challenge to make training a priority with so many things happening, but we can see the benefits when staff are trained well so it shouldn’t be neglected, it’s also a QCPP requirement to keep your knowledge up to date.
Do you plan to do more?
Yes definitely, I’m always keen to do more training.
What inspires you at work?
I am inspired by the people I work with: my team at TWC Myer Centre, my owners and the teams of other TWC stores who I’m lucky enough to interact with on a regular basis.
Keep checking back as Rebecca shares her pharmacy knowledge and experience with us!