WORKING in John Hunter Hospital's patient care system are two teenage pharmacy assistant trainees, Madison Brown and Alison Holt (pictured), who are currently completing their Certificate III Hospital and Pharmacy Support.
The traineeship is offered through the NSW Government's '1000 NSW Public Sector Apprentices and Trainees Program', a commitment to employ an additional 1,000 learners across state government agencies and state-owned corporations over three years.
Under the program, apprentices and trainees can earn and learn while on the job, gain practical experience, be mentored by industry experts and earn nationally recognised qualifications.
Holt is attending one day per week while doing her HSC at school, while Brown has chosen the pathway as an alternative to school.
Holt and Brown are among the 20 percent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners in the program, and both hope to inspire other First Nations people by showing them what is possible.
"Being an Indigenous woman, some people think you're not going to get as far as other people and reach the same levels people can - me doing a school-based apprenticeship and traineeship and showing up changes that," Holt said.
Holt and Brown conduct tasks such as monitoring fridge temperatures to ensure medications can be safely administered; scanning and taking stock of wards; dispensing medicine and supporting out-patient discharges; and delivering medication to wards.
Both are enjoying the opportunity to get a taste of working in healthcare in general, and pharmacy in particular, and plan to continue their studies in the field.
Supervised and mentored by Tracey Meares, Deputy Services Manager at John Hunter Hospital, the trainees have impressed those around them as they uplifted the team culture and workload while gaining hands-on skills in the supporting role and safe management of medicine.
"Having them both on board has changed the working environment," Meares said.
"They are significant contributors to our team, and not just as trainees - they do the same work as the other technicians and add to the team culture."
As for the future, the Certificate III in Hospital and Pharmacy Support can lead to a Certificate IV and a technician qualification, and that is a path Holt intends to pursue initially as she decides on the direction she wants to follow.
Brown, on the other hand, is looking into university studies to become a pharmacist.
Meanwhile, the team at John Hunter Hospital are also keen to continue with the program.
"This has been a really positive experience and we're very happy we've chosen to do it - and these two have been exceptional," Meares told Pharmacy Daily, adding that they will have another trainee next year as well. KB
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