Aimee de la Bere
A Decade of Community Pharmacy
Aimee de la Bere’s career at Priceline Pharmacy in Kingston is one of passion for healthcare and community service. Over the past ten and a half years, Aimee has progressed from a pharmacist to the Pharmacist Manager. She has played a key role in both in-store health services and aged care facility support. Her journey highlights the importance of personal connections and the value of working in a community-focused pharmacy.
“The support is definitely there. Most of our pharmacies have multiple pharmacists so you can learn from other colleagues easily, and the support from the owners is great.”
A Passion for Science and Patient Care
Aimee’s interest in science and healthcare led her to pursue a career in pharmacy. Unlike the lab work that general science offered, Aimee found her true calling in patient centred care. The opportunity to work directly with people, help them manage their health, and make a tangible difference in their lives is what drew her to pharmacy and has kept her passionate about her work ever since.
“What I do like about working in community pharmacy is developing those relationships with our customers and getting to know them and their health concerns. I’ve got to know them quite well.”
From the beginning, Aimee was drawn to the community aspect of her job. She quickly developed strong relationships with both her customers and her colleagues, finding joy in being a familiar and trusted face in her community. For Aimee, the connections she has built are one of the most rewarding parts of her career.
Growing with Taspharm
Aimee’s journey with Taspharm has been one of continuous growth and learning. She started as a pharmacist and steadily worked her way up to become the Pharmacist Manager at Priceline Pharmacy in Kingston. Her role has expanded over the years, including significant responsibilities like rolling out medication services for an aged care facility and providing comprehensive health services within the pharmacy.
“There’s a lot of different opportunities in Taspharm.”
As Aimee became more involved in the Taspharm group, she began to appreciate the opportunities that came with being part of a larger network. The locally owned aspect of the pharmacies has allowed her to foster close working relationships with the owners and other pharmacies. This has created a strong community orientation that is central to her work.
Making an Impact Through Health Services
One of Aimee’s professional highlights has been the successful implementation of medication services for an aged care facility. This project not only allowed her to expand her skills but also made a significant difference in the lives of the elderly residents who depend on these services.
“We rolled that out in my first year here and we provide all medication services for an aged care facility about 20 minutes away from our store.”
Aimee’s ability to help other stores and develop new services within the Taspharm group has been another rewarding aspect of her career. The support and training provided by Taspharm have enabled her to try different roles, learn new skills, and progress in her career. She explains that this flexibility and encouragement have contributed to her growth as a pharmacist and manager.
Advice for Future Employees
For those considering a career with Taspharm, Aimee offers some valuable advice. She highlights the supportive and flexible work environment as one of the key benefits of working in the group.
“I feel it is quite a supportive and flexible environment to work in. We’re quite accommodating in the various hours that can be worked and allowing people to work alongside other commitments they have, whether it’s family or sporting. Our owners are very positive towards allowing people to do further training when needed as well if they’re interested.”
Aimee also emphasises the importance of training and career development at Taspharm. The opportunities to learn from colleagues, receive support from owners, and try different roles within the pharmacy make it a great place for professional growth.
A Supportive Work Environment
Aimee celebrates Taspharm’s commitment to accommodating a healthy lifestyle for employees, such as encouraging time for family and sports. Regular opportunities for training and professional development have also played a role in her career progression.
“Taspharm is exceptional at allowing people to progress with training and experiencing different roles. If you’re interested in progressing through to manager, Taspharm is very open to allowing that to happen and learning from people already in those roles.”
Working in a community-focused pharmacy has given Aimee the chance to develop long-term relationships with her customers. She values the trust that her customers place in her and takes pride in providing consistent, personalised care. This strong community focus is one of the defining features of her work environment, making it a place where she feels valued.
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