Brianne Lowe from HealthSAVE Pharmacy Charlestown in New South Wales has been announced as the 2019 Pharmacy Guild of Australia/Maxigesic Pharmacy Assistant of the Year (PATY). Kane Forbes from Casterton Pharmacy, VIC was awarded the title: PATY National Runner Up Winner and Victoria State Winner
The final assessment day led into the Pharmacy Guild’s Conference & Expo where esprit had a stand, our hub for networking across hundreds of retail pharmacy assistants and brands over the 4-day event.
“We couldn’t have wished for a more engaged outcome from setting ourselves up at the PATY event. Thanks also go to the beauty brands who sponsored the eight Finalist prizes.* They were bowled over with the generosity of these beauty brands,” writes esprit’s Andrea Ferrari. Thanks also go to the brands providing products for the 500 attendee goody bags.**
Brianne was chosen from over 700 nominations across Australia and was awarded the title at the annual Pharmacy Assistant National Conference in Brisbane on Saturday (Oct 12th, 2019).
“To be awarded the 2019 Pharmacy Assistant of the Year Award is so empowering. I can’t wait to get out there and meet everyone. It’s also really overwhelming because I met so many pharmacy assistants who definitely deserve to be at the top of the ladder as well”, says Brianne.
“I love dealing with customers and helping them reach a positive outcome. That’s what we’re there for; selling them whole healthcare solutions and I feel really good going home and knowing that I helped somebody out.
“If you’re a pharmacy assistant and you want to get involved with PATY, just do it. We’re waiting to meet you and hear from you. I’m looking forward to working with everyone over the next year as the 2019 Pharmacy Assistant of the Year!”
The Conference
Around 400 delegates across Australia gathered in Brisbane for the 20th annual Pharmacy Assistant National Conference (PA2019). The conference is the peak educational and networking event for pharmacy assistants across Australia and included a two-day educational program, pre- and post-conference workshops, an exciting networking and social agenda, and a 30+ stand Trade Exhibition which allowed delegates to sample new products.
Over the conference, delegates were treated to nearly 30 pharmacy knowledge, management & operations, and motivational sessions. Key sessions included the Industry Update by The Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s QLD Vice President, Kos Sclavos who shared that the beauty and health departments are two key pharmacy categories driving performance. Eight out of ten beauty categories are experiencing growth with the overall category totalling $3.3 billion. These eight categories are skincare self select, fragrances, baby care, hair care, personal care, sun care, skin care prestige and make-up prestige.
The conference also covered the importance of hydration when treating common skincare conditions such as eczema and acne and what to consider when recommending appropriate skincare. It also examined how inadequate diets take their toll on how people look and feel, and the importance of feeding bodies the right nutrients for longer lasting health and beauty. Customer service and community engagement was another key topic, delving into how selling to customers is actually caring for customers and why pharmacies should go beyond their walls and create meaningful relationships with the community.
Alice Vanderpol – PATY 2018 Winner was a guest speaker at the conference. She delights in her new role at The Pharmacy Guild of Australia working as Workplace Trainer/Assessor, and was a judge at this year’s finals. Thanks go to Alice for being an advocate of reading esprit Magazine Australia and driving so many of the pharmacy assistants to visit our stand and sign up for our weekly newsletter! Alice has worked in community pharmacy for six years and has a passion for sharing and upskilling PAs to polish their hard work, dedication and commitment to the industry.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s National President, George Tambassis said the PATY Award reinforces and celebrates the important role pharmacy assistants play in community pharmacies across Australia. As esprit always refers to these key members, whose work includes retail beauty products, as The True Influencers.
“With over 453 million patient visits every year – that’s real people, in real time coming into the pharmacy – pharmacy assistants are one of the biggest contributing factors to why pharmacies enjoy such high levels of community support and customer satisfaction.
“PATY recognises and celebrates the passion and commitment of pharmacy assistants in the success of community pharmacies across Australia.”
“Brianne has displayed a strong commitment to her work and the pharmacy industry, and her continued motivation to improve the customer experience was outstanding,” says Mr Tambassis.
Catherine Brandis, PATY Western Australia State Winner
Bradley Miller, PATY Tasmania State Winner
Brianne Lowe, PATY National Winner and News South Wales State Winner
Kane Forbes, PATY National Runner Up Winner and Victoria State Winner
Suzanna Calder, PATY Northern Territory Winner
Bridgette Atkinson, PATY Queensland Winner
Jack Wales, PATY Australian Capital Territory Winner
Glucojel Super Star Award
The National Winner of the Glucojel Super Star Award was also announced: Katie Godwin from Amcal Pharmacy Caboolture in Queensland was awarded the 2019 National Glucojel Super Star Award. More on this in next week’s newsletter!
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia/Maxigesic Pharmacy Assistant of the Year Award is the premier award for pharmacy assistants in Australia. Support from the industry and sponsors is vital in ensuring that pharmacy assistants across Australia continue to be acknowledged, honoured and celebrated.
The Criteria
The criteria for the National Finalists included a broad opportunity for conveying the skills, knowledge and manner that are 100% relevant to their role. Their PowerPoint and written presentations, covered: public speaking skills, leadership qualities, organisational skills, attitude, personal presentation and industry and product knowledge.
The Process
Regarding the PATY process – anyone can nominate a pharmacy assistant for the award or pharmacy assistants can self-nominate too. Pharmacy assistants must respond to their nomination by filling out answers to questions about themselves and the pharmacy industry.
From that, 20 State Finalists are shortlisted and attend a State Workshop Day where they further showcase their knowledge, skills and passion as a pharmacy assistant. Judges then pick one finalist as the PATY State Winner from each State Workshop based on their performance in the workshop.
They also pick a State Winner for the Glucojel Super Star Award which is a subset of the PATY Award, and recognises PATY Finalists with exceptional customer service. A National Winner for the Glucojel Super Star Award is chosen from these Glucojel Super Star Award State Winners.
The PATY State Winners then attend a National Workshop Day held during the Pharmacy Assistant National Conference where they again showcase their knowledge and skills The judges then pick a National Winner and they are announced at the Conference Dinner.
PATY 2020
The 2020 Pharmacy Assistant National Conference (PA2020) will be held from 23-24 October 2020 at Sofitel Brisbane Central. Stayed tuned for more information at www.pharmacyassistants.com.
*Prize Winner Baskets included generous gifts from MAC Cosmetics, Clinique skincare, Aveda haircare, Rimmel, CoverGirl, Max Factor, Sally Hansen, Trilogy skincare, Glass House candles, and bubbles donated by National Liquor News magazine.
esprit’s Andrea and Nicci present the Finalist with their Beauty Gift Bags
**500 goody bags generously supplied by: Liar, Burt’s Bees, C.Lab & Co, The Goat Skincare, Nip & Fab and Clean Skin.
