Jan 20 2025 46 mins 1
In this episode of the Pharmacy View Podcast’s Rx to Riches stream, international host Michael Alexander, a Pharmacist, entrepreneur, digital health enthusiast, Co-Founder of Audirie, and the Regional Vice-President of Health Plans at Omada Health, speaks with Angela Stathopoulos, Group Manager of Education and Development at Chemist Warehouse. With nearly 30 years of experience across community, regulatory, and hospital Pharmacy sectors, Angela discusses her dedication to fostering the next generation of Pharmacy professionals. She elaborates on Chemist Warehouse’s dynamic approach to training, highlighting initiatives aimed at advancing Pharmacy practice, developing new services, and supporting early-career Pharmacists. Angela’s journey reflects a passion for embracing opportunities, which she encourages in those looking to grow within the field.
Angela dives into the extensive training programs offered by Chemist Warehouse, ranging from an internally developed internship program to advanced CPD courses. Key initiatives like "Leading for the Future" and "Step Up" were designed to meet the evolving demands of the Pharmacy industry, and Angela explains that these programs were developed in consultation with stakeholders, providing both leadership training and support for early-career Pharmacists. Her approach emphasises Chemist Warehouse’s commitment to equipping Pharmacists with essential skills to navigate the ever-changing Pharmacy landscape while ensuring consistent, high-quality training across all locations.
To achieve this consistency, Angela describes a hybrid model of in-person and online training, made possible through platforms like Zoom and AI-driven tools for Pharmacy assistant training. The integration of AI, she explains, is pivotal for maintaining scalable and standardised training, especially across Australia’s remote areas. However, Angela stresses that AI tools are only as effective as the team managing them, ensuring that quality standards are met. This combination of technology and human oversight allows Chemist Warehouse to meet the educational needs of Pharmacists in varied geographic regions while maintaining flexibility and adaptability.
Internationally, Angela shares the challenges and successes of adapting Chemist Warehouse’s Australian training models for different regions, such as New Zealand, Ireland, and the UAE. Each region brings unique regulatory and cultural needs, requiring collaboration with local experts to ensure training aligns with local standards. Angela emphasises the importance of collecting feedback from both trainees and regional authorities, which informs improvements and adjustments to training programs. This feedback loop is essential for refining programs in a way that balances the needs of learners and the organisation, ensuring a strong return on investment.
The conversation then shifts to the evolving skill requirements for Pharmacists, which have expanded from purely clinical skills to include critical soft skills like empathy, communication, and problem-solving. Angela explains that while technical expertise remains foundational, handling complex patient interactions and regulatory issues requires a broader skill set.
Closing on a light-hearted note, Michael humorously offers Angela "magic powers" to enhance Chemist Warehouse's training program, to which Angela replies that she would clone her dedicated team to better address training demands. They discuss upcoming programs, such as the "Step Up" initiative for student Pharmacists and a Managing Partner pathway aimed at guiding Pharmacists from entry-level roles to ownership opportunities within the company. Angela's insights reveal Chemist Warehouse’s focus on career development and innovation, underscoring their commitment to expanding Pharmacists' clinical responsibilities and supporting a holistic approach to patient care.
Angela dives into the extensive training programs offered by Chemist Warehouse, ranging from an internally developed internship program to advanced CPD courses. Key initiatives like "Leading for the Future" and "Step Up" were designed to meet the evolving demands of the Pharmacy industry, and Angela explains that these programs were developed in consultation with stakeholders, providing both leadership training and support for early-career Pharmacists. Her approach emphasises Chemist Warehouse’s commitment to equipping Pharmacists with essential skills to navigate the ever-changing Pharmacy landscape while ensuring consistent, high-quality training across all locations.
To achieve this consistency, Angela describes a hybrid model of in-person and online training, made possible through platforms like Zoom and AI-driven tools for Pharmacy assistant training. The integration of AI, she explains, is pivotal for maintaining scalable and standardised training, especially across Australia’s remote areas. However, Angela stresses that AI tools are only as effective as the team managing them, ensuring that quality standards are met. This combination of technology and human oversight allows Chemist Warehouse to meet the educational needs of Pharmacists in varied geographic regions while maintaining flexibility and adaptability.
Internationally, Angela shares the challenges and successes of adapting Chemist Warehouse’s Australian training models for different regions, such as New Zealand, Ireland, and the UAE. Each region brings unique regulatory and cultural needs, requiring collaboration with local experts to ensure training aligns with local standards. Angela emphasises the importance of collecting feedback from both trainees and regional authorities, which informs improvements and adjustments to training programs. This feedback loop is essential for refining programs in a way that balances the needs of learners and the organisation, ensuring a strong return on investment.
The conversation then shifts to the evolving skill requirements for Pharmacists, which have expanded from purely clinical skills to include critical soft skills like empathy, communication, and problem-solving. Angela explains that while technical expertise remains foundational, handling complex patient interactions and regulatory issues requires a broader skill set.
Closing on a light-hearted note, Michael humorously offers Angela "magic powers" to enhance Chemist Warehouse's training program, to which Angela replies that she would clone her dedicated team to better address training demands. They discuss upcoming programs, such as the "Step Up" initiative for student Pharmacists and a Managing Partner pathway aimed at guiding Pharmacists from entry-level roles to ownership opportunities within the company. Angela's insights reveal Chemist Warehouse’s focus on career development and innovation, underscoring their commitment to expanding Pharmacists' clinical responsibilities and supporting a holistic approach to patient care.
