Pharmacist Talk with Cassandra Woit
Cassandra Woit, MSc. Pharmacy Practice, BSc. Pharm, RPh., APA, has worked in a variety of settings and pharmacy practices since graduating from the University of Alberta in 2016. While completing her MSc in Pharmacy Practice she worked as pharmacist providing care to supportive living sites in and around Edmonton. In this role she collaborated with physicians, nursing staff and patients to quickly expand her practice and knowledge to provide comprehensive pharmacy services. She has also worked at different independent community pharmacies where she gained valuable experience in community practice as each pharmacy had a different patient population, workflow, and work environment. Upon completion of her master’s at the end of 2019, she transitioned to a practice site in the inner city where she developed additional experience in the fields of addictions and mental health.
In 2021 a new opportunity presented itself, and she joined a community pharmacy in Southwest Edmonton where she has been able to focus on the community’s needs while advocating for the profession. In her spare time you can find Cassandra reading a mystery novel, dancing, or working on a new crochet project.
Editor’s Note: “Pandemic stress, increase in harassment and staffing challenges exact heavy toll on pharmacy professionals. National survey data shows pharmacy teams are at risk of burnout at unprecedented levels … Adding to the pressure is an increase in frequent abuse and harassment with almost half (48%) experiencing abuse or harassment from patients at least weekly.”
Description
Community pharmacists and hospital pharmacists compound and dispense prescribed pharmaceuticals and provide consultative services to both clients and health care providers. They are employed in retail and health centre pharmacies, or they may be self-employed. Industrial pharmacists participate in the research, development, promotion and manufacture of pharmaceutical products. They are employed in pharmaceutical companies and government departments and agencies.
Job Forecast
For Pharmacists, over the period 2019-2028, new job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 12,500 , while 16,600 new job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility) are expected to be available to fill them.
Workers in this occupational group tend to retire at a later age than those in other occupations, limiting the number of positions that will be available due to retirement over the projection period. With regard to labour supply, due to the highly specialized nature of this occupation, school leavers are expected to account for the vast majority of job seekers. About one fifth of all job seekers are projected to be immigrants getting licensed through the provincial or territorial regulatory body for both community and hospital pharmacists. A sizeable number of workers are expected to seek opportunities in managerial positions in the health sector or as retail and wholesale trade managers (NOC 0621 – pharmacists opening their own drugstore).
Employment Requirements
A bachelor of science degree in pharmacy is required.
Pharmacists also require practical training under the supervision of a pharmacist.
Licensure is required in all provinces and territories for community and hospital pharmacists.
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