Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President George Tambassis has announced the official opening of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia/Maxigesic Pharmacy Assistant of the Year (PATY) Award.
PATY is the premier award for Australian pharmacy assistants, recognising and celebrating the ‘best of the best’ in community pharmacy.
The award recognises outstanding pharmacy assistants’ skills, knowledge, leadership and customer service across a 12-month period.
With nominations open from Monday 15 March 2021, Mr Tambassis explains that “nominees can either self-nominate or be nominated by a third party”.
“They then have to complete and submit responses to the selection criteria, and up to 10 are then short-listed to take up in a virtual state workshop where winners from each state will be selected,” he says.
“The state winners then go on to a national judging workshop to be held in Brisbane in October, before the national winner is announced at the Covid-Safe Pharmacy Assistant National Conference being held at the Sofitel in Brisbane on 22-23 October 2021.”
‘Get behind the award and nominate’
Mr Tambassis encourages the pharmacy industry to get behind the award and nominate pharmacy assistants.
“It has been a busy 12 months supporting the Australian community through the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and pharmacy assistants have served patients on the frontline.
“Take a minute to visit pharmacyassistants.com/paty/ and nominate a deserving pharmacy assistant, whether it be for their customer service, leadership, knowledge, skills or community support over the past twelve months.
“If you think you might be one of Australia’s best pharmacy assistants, don’t be shy. Visit pharmacyassistants.com/paty/ to nominate yourself,” says Mr Tambassis.
Prizes a ‘big draw to nominate’
Mr Tambassis adds that the state and national awards prizes are a big draw for pharmacy assistants to nominate.
“The top 10 finalists in each state are invited to participate in state workshops, which provide professional development opportunities for participants,” he says.
“The state winners receive a trophy, travel and registration to select events, as well as exclusive training and development sessions and a profile in national electronic and social media platforms along with some external media.”
Mr Tambassis continues: “The national winner receives over $10,000 worth of prizes including a trophy, a cash prize of $5,000, a customised training package as well as return flights, accommodation and registration to the Covid-Safe Australian Pharmacy Professional Conference (APP) and the Pharmacy Assistant National Conference in 2022.
“Last year we saw Benjamin King from Alice Springs Pharmacy recognised as Australia’s outstanding pharmacy assistant.
“Ben had submitted a PATY nomination in a previous year but wasn’t one of the NT finalists. This didn’t stop Ben from nominating again in 2020, which saw him win the award nationally and take home over $10,000 in prizes.”
Glucogel Super Star Award
In addition to the main award, PATY features the Glucojel Super Star Award, which recognises outstanding customer service.
