Who’s influenced you in your career? 

Joanna: It is most definitely the first pharmacist I ever met, my mum! The current list is much longer though, and includes both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who inspired, encouraged and supported me throughout the years. 

What do you get out of bed for each day, professionally?

Undoubtedly coffee! I would not exist professionally without it. Seriously though, the duty of patient care and how I, as a pharmacist, can make a difference to patients’ understanding of their health issues and help them make an informed choice to manage those issues effectively.

What has been your best moment as a pharmacist so far?

Unexpectedly winning a C&D Award for my pharmacy in the medicines optimisation category in 2016.

What are your ambitions for your career?

I am at the end of my second year of a clinical diploma in community pharmacy at the University of Bradford and recently qualified as an independent prescriber. I am planning to shape these skills first before setting any more goals. However, my dual role across the two sectors provides an excellent opportunity to promote equal partnership between community pharmacy and general practice and this is my ongoing ambition. 

What’s your most significant job move ?

Accepting the branch manager’s role in my current pharmacy that runs under a Local Pharmaceutical Services (LPS) contract, based on the principles of medicines optimisation, delivering prescribing advice to local GP practices and reducing medication waste. This opened the door to my role as a CCG medicines management pharmacist and resulted in my current role as a practice pharmacist.

How do you relax?

A good film, a good read and the gym. And I doodle! My colleagues know that no papers are safe around me and tend to hide any important documents when I’m on the phone.

Optimist or pessimist?

50:50 

If you weren’t doing what you do now, what would you do?

There was never any other way for me. I was destined to be a pill lady!