Community pharmacy network, Blooms The Chemist, has made the transition from study to practice easy for aspiring Pharmacists across Australia by introducing its 2023 ‘Future of Pharmacy Intern Program’.
The comprehensive three-year program is designed to provide interns with a holistic foundational approach that will guide them on how to operate in a retail community pharmacy with focusses on clinical, ethical, and business practices.
“The current personnel shortage in the pharmaceutical industry and the growing need for quality, skilled healthcare workers in Australia means it’s important that we grow and develop talented Pharmacists within our brand,” says Blooms The Chemist Chief Executive Officer, Emmanuel Vavoulas.
The program allows interns to learn from Blooms The Chemist Support Office leaders with an emphasis on building personal brand and operating with purpose, as well as learning from individual pharmacy owners.
The program provides each intern with a cumulative financial incentive of $30,000 over three years paid by Blooms The Chemist Support Office. The program is available to a maximum of 40 interns who must be continually employed full time in a Blooms The Chemist pharmacy for the duration of the three years. The program sees each intern that is registered as a Pharmacist at the end of their first year receive $5,000. Furthermore, if they remain employed full time with Blooms The Chemist at the end of their second year and third year, each receives an additional $10,000 and $15,000 respectively. This initiative applies to all current and future interns for subsequent years. The first cohort of 28 interns has begun the program with a view to complete their first year by 31 December 2023, second by the end of 2024 and third by the end of 2025.
“Investing in the education and development of a new generation of Pharmacists builds positive brand associations that will benefit our network in the long term, including identifying future pharmacy owners for the Blooms The Chemist network,” said Mr Vavoulas.
The first workshop of the program, which included a welcome and introduction to what it is like to work at Blooms TheChemist, took place on 14 February, and has been positively received by the new intern cohort.
Commenting on the program, Blooms The Chemist Orange intern, Kayla Gibson, said, “I’ve found that Blooms The Chemist supports me not just as an intern, but as a student and a person. It’s rewarding to be in an environment like Blooms (The Chemist) where I’m trusted to learn and practice my skills as a future Pharmacist”.
Leading the program is Blooms The Chemist Professional Services and Compliance Manager, Casey Shannon, who herself worked as a Pharmacist in several Blooms The Chemist pharmacies before moving into a support role for the network.
“Interns have the opportunity to network and collaborate with others, as well as complete additional written and oral practical clinical and ethical scenarios for their final exams by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, and the opportunity to receive mentorship from AACP-accredited Pharmacists within the Blooms The Chemist Network,” said Ms. Shannon.
“We’ve received really strong support from our supplier partners within the industry, who also recognise the importance of investing in the next generation of Australian Pharmacists.”
Platinum sponsors of the program include Aretex, Haleon, MPS, Sandoz, Sanofi, Seqirus and Symbion.
The Future of Pharmacy Intern Program aims to engage with interns on a regular basis, with virtual and in-person meetings. Pharmacist interns will meet face-to-face for the first time at the Australian Pharmacy Professional Conference & Trade Exhibition 2023 (APP) later this month, undertaking a retail study tour, social program outings, and supplier presentations. They will also participate in the Early Career Pharmacist session sponsored by Blooms The Chemist and facilitated by Dr Tahnee Bridson. This interactive workshop will focus on authentic networking, increasing confidence in communicating with peers and patients, and prioritising personal wellbeing to avoid burnout.
About Blooms The Chemist
Blooms The Chemist is a network of more than 115 pharmacies operating in NSW, QLD, VIC, SA, NT, TAS and WA, providing local communities with friendly expert advice and professional service. Operating for more than 40 years, Blooms The Chemist is passionate about providing local communities with the highest level of care, delivered through genuine relationships, personalised advice, and a wide range of health services and quality products at the best possible price. The Blooms The Chemist team is proud to be a truly community-minded network of pharmacies, putting people first in everything we do.
Text by: Blooms The Chemist
