THERE are huge benefits to working in rural pharmacy, according to David Paulmert, a pharmacist on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait north of Queensland.
Paulmert is one of several rural and regional practitioners who are taking part in the upcoming Pharmacy Careers Summit and told Pharmacy Daily he and his partner, who is in the police force, moved to the island two years ago.
"We were more focused on the lifestyle than the work itself," he said, but quickly realised that practising in a rural setting also offers many opportunities - as well as short commutes, making new friends in a network of like-minded people, and fishing!
Rural pharmacists have strong potential for career progression and networking, because "you are financially incentivised to travel for your CPD," Paulmert believes, noting he had been fortunate enough to attend APP for the last nine years in a row.
The work is different too, with rural pharmacists often working closely alongside colleagues in multidisciplinary teams.
"Doctors, nurses and pharmacists seem to have more opportunities to work to the top of their scope," he said, also highlighting a variety of interesting cases, particularly in his previous location in Port Douglas where many patients were backpackers without Medicare, meaning they were more likely to present with complex health issues for triage at a community pharmacy.
"It's awesome to get that clinical experience," Paulmert added, urging anyone thinking about their pharmacy career to consider working in rural locations.
"While it's not for everyone, it's for a lot more people than they realise," he said.
The free Pharmacy Careers Summit 2023 will take place on 07 Jul as a virtual conference and trade show - REGISTER HERE now.
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