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InternLab Intern of the Year 2021.
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InternLab Intern of the Year 2021.

INTERNLAB INTERN OF THE YEAR 2021

YI-HSIEN (DEBORAH) CHEN 

SAMIOS PHARMACY – SUNNYBANK HILLS, QLD

What was your experience of InternLab?

 

Internlab was a great resource that helped keep my studies on track throughout the year amidst the busy schedule of an intern. It can be quite hard to find time to sit down and study, so attending the monthly webinars served as a helpful review of all the topics covered throughout the year. They provided the starting points of the basic gaps in knowledge that would need to be reviewed for various topics that I may find myself unfamiliar with. The exam resources in particular were invaluable for my preparations of the exam. They not only helped promote confidence, but also helped gain a clearer understanding for the expectations of the exam.

 

What advice would you offer to other interns?

 

For general internship: Try to learn as much around the pharmacy as you can, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to admit if you don’t know something: there is no shame in learning. However, most of all: take care of your mental health. Take time to do the things that make you happy, because a healthy mind leads to a healthier attitude. Feeling stressed or pressured is inevitable, but what’s important is not letting it get to a harmful state. If you need help or support or just people to talk to, seek it.

 

With regards to exams: Study smart, not hard. Trying to become a walking drug database by reading and writing out an entire encyclopedia will only lead to burnout, fatigue, and demotivation. It is better to begin with a rough review of everything you’ll need to know – then spend as much time doing practice exams as you can. Practice exams have done more for me than the time I spent reviewing all my textbooks. The oral exam practices helped test and identify gaps in knowledge for further review, as well as give a good idea of the amount of information expected of you. The more mock exams you expose yourself with, the more confident you will be – and you may even find that the actual exam contain questions very similar to a practice exam you already did. Similarly with the written exam practices, it helps with not only keeping track of time, but also your ability to find the answers needed quickly in the textbooks if needed.

 

What part of pharmacy are you most passionate about?

 

I am most passionate about research in pharmacy. Although data collection, analysis and write-ups can sound like tedious work – the fulfillment of contributing to what we know, or think we know about our practices today makes it all worth it. Being a part of the catalyst to strive for better patient care in our practices is an honour to be in. As this role would naturally develop my experiences and knowledge professionally – I wouldn’t need to fear complacency or stagnation in my professional growth. 

 

How do you see yourself in the future as a leader in pharmacy?

 

I see myself as a future leader in pharmacy through mentoring others in my usual day to day job. Be it mentoring students, advising patients, or even fellow healthcare professionals. I aim to expand my professional experiences and expertise so that I can contribute back to the community around me with the utmost competency.

 

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The Future Of Retail Training Is Here
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The Future Of Retail Training Is Here

Our very own Pharmacy Alliance Training Hub app has arrived to support Pharmacy Assistants. It will change the way you think about training, letting your staff build the relevant skills and knowledge to succeed in their roles.

 

This exciting new Training Hub is a highly engaging, mobile, micro-learning platform designed to facilitate up-skilling and knowledge retention. The app is designed to engage your staff with short and fun training modules based off our Retail Calendar. These modules will boost customer service, assist floor set up and increase basket size with companion product knowledge.

 

The training modules are developed inline with the monthly retail activity, and provide:

  • Expert training to drive results for your pharmacy
  • Improved knowledge retention for pharmacy staff by up to 50%
  • Reward-based incentives to motivate staff
  • Training to meet QCPP requirements
  • Low monthly fee for high quality, accessible training
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Set your pharmacy up for success.
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Set your pharmacy up for success.

There is no doubt that consumer buying habits have changed over the last 12 months — spurred along by online retailers and a global pandemic. The role of the pharmacy team is to create connected, seamless experiences across digital and physical to make your pharmacy work for your customers.

So, what can independent pharmacies do to stand out from their competitors?

 

Own, adapt and take responsibility for business changes and evolving as conditions change. Know the market by engaging in the market and in the local community.

 

Define who you are and what you do – and then deliver on it. If you know your purpose, your team and you can be knowledgeable about everything in the pharmacy and be able to sell it. Play to your strengths by providing a personal interaction and building loyalty.

 

Professionalise by deciding the type of customer experience you want to create and putting in place the systems to deliver it. Create an environment that people want to visit – then change it to keep customers interested and engaged.

 

Develop your people into experts as people buy from people who know what they are talking about, and people they like.

 

Partner up and develop mutually rewarding relationships with suppliers, or businesses that serve and operate in the same community.

 

Successful retailers always observe, assess, and analyse customer experiences, engagement, competition, team training, product categories, what is working well, and what is not.

 

To learn more about how Australia’s largest, truly independent pharmacy network engages with members to become forward-thinking retailers, visit pharmacyalliance.com.au.

 

Source 

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Getting your head around chronic pain.
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Getting your head around chronic pain.

While pain manifests physically, psychological treatments are important in managing chronic pain. There are a lot of factors that can affect the way that we feel pain, as well as the reason we might be feeling it.

Pain experience is influenced by my genetics, emotions, personality, lifestyle, and past experiences.

 

Finding the best solution for your pain is important as there are many

different treatment methods for chronic pain including medication and

physical therapy.

 

A lot of the time, however, pain can have a psychological root. In this case, psychological treatments such as Cognitive Brain Therapy (CBT), mindfulness or biofeedback therapy can help.

 

Click here to learn more about dealing with the psychological elements of chronic pain.

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Five tips for selecting the right insurance policy for your pharmacy.
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Five tips for selecting the right insurance policy for your pharmacy.

Choosing the right policy is a complex process and there are many factors to consider when deciding on the right cover for your pharmacy. To help you, consider the following five tips to use when comparing insurance policies so that you can arrange insurance that’s suited to your business’s needs and risk appetite.

Start early.

 

The past year has been a powerful demonstration of how critical it is for Australian pharmacies to be protected against a multitude of risks. We recommend starting early when considering what cover is right to protect your business and ensure you allow both yourself and your broker adequate time to assess your current insurance arrangements. Make sure to supply all relevant information to your broker. These may include things, such as a copy of your current schedule and security and any changes to your property details.

 

Understand your risk appetite.

 

It is important to assess your business’s risk appetite or the maximum amount of risk your business is prepared to accept to attain its objectives. Review your insurance thoroughly to ensure that the limits of cover and claims excesses align with this.

 

The role of a broker includes being able to align your risk profile to that of a targeted insurer.

 

Make sure the cover level is suitable for your business.

 

Not all policies are the same, so it is crucial that you thoroughly review each policy’s details when comparing to ensure you choose one that is adequate for your business.

 

Key things to pay attention to include:

  • Limit of Liability
  • Excess
  • Inclusions & Exclusions – Each insurance provider offers different cover terms in their policies, so it is important to review these closely with your broker to confirm that the cover level is adequate for your business needs.

 

Don’t compare insurance solely on premium.

 

Although considering the price of your premium is important when comparing different policies, we recommend carrying out a side-by-side comparison of all available options before coming to a decision. Insurance providers can base a policy’s premium on the risks they take on and having a high number of exclusions can reduce these risks, which should result in a lower premium.

 

Work with brokers that “get” your business.

 

Choosing the right cover for your business can be overwhelming. Working with brokers that understand your business’ needs, can help you save time and money, assess your risks, and ensure that your insurance policy is fit for purpose. They will also look to act on your behalf and provide advocacy support in the event of a claim. Finding an experienced insurance broker, you can trust, will benefit your business in the long run in ensuring you achieve an outcome that optimally suits your insurance needs.

 

There is much to consider when choosing the right policy for your business and following the above tips is a great starting point. If you have any questions, please contact your insurance advisor, who can help provide a detailed breakdown of your current insurance policy.

 

Disclaimer: 

This content contains general information and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs.

Our News
Better retailing together.
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Better retailing together.

The aim of any pharmacy manager or owner is to maximise profit while minimising costs. Depending on the size of the pharmacy, the manager or owner is also required to deal with human resources, marketing, logistics, information technology, customer service and finance.

The team at Pharmacy Alliance provide members with simple but effective programs to set them up for success.

Pharmacy Alliance brings together a team that:

  • Understands retail business standards.
  • Understands customer behaviour in a retail pharmacy environment.
  • Uses tried and tested merchandising and promotional strategies to improve sales performance and customer loyalty.
  • Develops successful business plans to grow pharmacy profitability.

 

To learn more about strengthening your independence with Australia’s largest, truly independent pharmacy network, click here.

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Managing pain while dispensing.
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Managing pain while dispensing.

While you are assisting customers in managing their pain, it is important that you listen to what your own body may need as well. That’s why you should take time throughout the work day to do small things to help ease any symptoms you might have.

Depending on the type of pain, taking breaks from dispensing and pacing yourself throughout the day ensures you’re not aggravating the issue. It’s also important to be realistic about what you can and can’t do, mobility-wise, and communicate with your team about tasks that you can’t take part in.

 

If the pain continues or worsens, make a doctor’s appointment or receive treatment as soon as you can. By getting the right treatment early on , the issue won’t need more urgent attention later on.

 

It’s easy to keep your focus on the customer and putting your needs aside. By striving to put yourself first, you can ensure you are able to continue serving others as best as you can.

 

For more information about pain management, click here.

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Commemorating sacrifice, service, mateship and courage.
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Commemorating sacrifice, service, mateship and courage.

ANZAC Day marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the first World War.

Pharmacy Alliance commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in war and on operational service – past and present. We acknowledge the continuing sacrifice, service, mateship and courage that forms the narrative of Australia’s ongoing experience with conflict around the globe.

 

For more information, click here.

 

The red poppy has become a symbol of war remembrance across the globe. Many countries wear the poppy to remember those who persihed in war, or who still serve in the armed forces.

 

Generally worn around Armistice Day (11 November), for Austalians and New Zealanders it is most commonly seen around ANZACH Day.

 

The red or Flanders poppy has been linked with battlefield deaths since the Great War (1914–18). The plant was one of the first to grow and bloom on battlefields in the Belgian region of Flanders.

 

The connection was made, most famously, by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae in his poem, “In Flanders fields”.

 

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

 

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

 

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

 

McCrae was a Canadian medical officer who, in May 1915, conducted the funeral service of a friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, who died in the Second Battle of Ypres (Ieper). Distressed at the death and suffering around him, McCrae scribbled the verses in his notebook. In a cemetery nearby, red poppies blew gently in the breeze – a symbol of regeneration and growth in a landscape of blood and destruction.

 

Source: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/anzac-day/poppies

Our News
Healthy habits to stay well this flu season.
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Healthy habits to stay well this flu season.

Winter months bring a clear increase in cold and flu cases. For minor ailments such as a cough or cold, as the pharmacist, you are often the first point of contact to assist customers to cope with symptoms.

Pharmacies play a critical role in helping our communities remain healthy over the colder season. However, if you are not looking after myself, you won’t be able to look after those in your local community.

 

To make sure you stay healthy, there are a few things you can do:

  • Book yourself in for a flu shot and ensure this is before the flu season hits. With this flu season being in the middle of a global pandemic, getting the annual flu shot is important to avoid adding pressure to an already busy healthcare industry.
  • Get up-to-date with general health check with your GP.
  • Wash your hands frequently – either using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser. This will keep you from spreading germs to your eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Take extra care that your work area remains clean. Many hygiene practices have been implemented to slow the spread of COVID-19. These have been extremely beneficial and should ideally remain in place post-pandemic. This includes the use of plastic screens and face masks.
  • Continue to wear a mask if you feel unwell so that you do not affect you rcustomers or staff.
  • Strive to include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet to maintain a strong immune system. Supporting a healthy diet should be a regular exercise routine and a good amount of sleep.

 

With COVID-19 being an ongoing concern, experts are struggling to anticipate what cold and flu season might be like in terms of not just the infection rate, but also the availability of resources to keep the sick from getting sicker. It is best to prevent rather than treat the flu, but even if you do get vaccinated, you might still get sick. The 2021 flu season is upon us and no matter how you look at it, it is vital to do all that you can to protect yourself.

 

Sources

Our News
Alliance Business & Leadership Essentials – ABLE.
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Alliance Business & Leadership Essentials – ABLE.

To support the growth of your business, and your team’s ability to deliver outstanding results, the ABLE program will address common skill gaps and keep your team up to date as the pharmacy industry evolves.

With ABLE, members can select a tailored program that best suits the needs of their business and team.

 

Learn more about:

  • Budgeting and business plans.
  • Innovation, creativity, and implementation of ideas.
  • Coaching, leading and delegating.
  • Being retail focused.
  • Effective performance management.
  • Managing your team, time and stress effectively.

 

For more information, please click here.