Foundation Pharmacist programme

"Knowing that this sector (Community Pharmacy) has always been the first point of contact for healthcare advice and support for the community, it gave me exposure to a range of scenarios that as a trainee you learn a lot from and are also able to apply your learned knowledge. This area is diverse and dynamic, it allows me to expand and act on my professional growth."

"The comprehensive approach to developing well-rounded pharmacists. The programme offers study days, practice mock questions, and the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals. To me, support is key, and Well excel in providing that, as they support you to complete CPPE learning, vaccination course and First Aid which gives you confidence as a trainee as you already have these basics foundations covered by the time you qualify."

"I'm all around and everywhere in the pharmacy. My main priorities are surrounding what the pharmacists do: services/consultations/counseling /monitor and report patient safety/ maintain regulatory compliance/ MethaMeasure/end of month and help out in the dispensary or the shop when there is a need."

"Able to apply my knowledge into practice, each day brings new challenges and I find it incredibly rewarding to help patients understand their medications, manage their health conditions, and improve their overall quality of life."

"Be proactive, take initiative in your learning and be open to new experiences. This is your year to practice receiving feedback and learn from them. After each day, reflect on your day and you should name at least one thing you have learnt that day; let it be an important counseling point of a high risk drug or teaching someone how to use a Libre sensor - anything. During this year, over time you have to switch from thinking like a student to a pharmacist, it does take time so just trust the process but again, be curious and you will get there quicker. Get to know your team and your supervisor. This is incredibly supportive for your development and it helps to develop your skills when it comes to business management. Find your way of revising next to full time work as it will be different than in University. Personally, repetition is what has helped me to retain information."

"Looking ahead, I am excited about the opportunities to further develop my skills and advance my career within Well Pharmacy. I am particularly interested in completing my Independent Prescribing course. I look forward to continuing to make a positive impact on patient care and contributing to the growth of Well Pharmacy."

"Balancing the day-to-day challenges of working in a community pharmacy alongside personal studies can be challenging, but it is also incredibly rewarding. Every day brings a new learning experience when working in practice, but having a supportive team around you makes all the difference when it comes to the foundation training year. Being able to build rapport and connections with the patients that you are helping also makes you even more driven to learn and improve your clinical skills, in order to provide them with the best level of support possible."

"I first started working in community pharmacy as part of my university placements, and it was during these placements that I gained an appreciation for the role that community pharmacies play in healthcare. I loved seeing the connections that the pharmacy team built with their patients, and how rewarding these connections were for not only the pharmacist but the patients as well, as working in community pharmacy allows you to be the first port of call for patients if they have a problem that they need help with, whether that be healthcare advice or simple reassurance."

"Before my foundation training year, I was a summer placement student at Well. I had worked for Well as a Pharmacy Assistant for over two years, and I previously volunteered during the first COVID lockdown at my local Well Pharmacy. During this time, I appreciated all of the support and the opportunities that Well provided for me, and because of this support and all of the lovely people that I had met in the different places that I had worked, I knew that I wanted to complete my foundation training year with Well."

"Being able to develop my skills and knowledge and apply them in practice is a very fulfilling experience. I’ve been able to build my confidence as a healthcare professional in a supportive environment, and being able to help and support patients using the knowledge and the experience that I’ve gained proves how much the hard work that you put in matters."

"Take each day as it comes, make the most out of every opportunity and don’t take your failures to heart. Every time you fall short, take it as a chance to come back stronger and learn from it. We’re all human and the foundation training year is your time to learn and apply yourself to become the best pharmacist you can be."

"I am looking forward to developing my clinical expertise and training to become an independent prescriber, as well as exploring the various career opportunities that lie ahead."