Master of Pharmacy student Rose Medriano says she has the experience behind her to crack the pharmacy industry when she graduates.
The industry experience, mentoring and networking opportunities that UWA’s Master of Pharmacy provides, has prepared Rose practically for the pharmacy industry and given her a taste of ‘real life’ working in a community pharmacy.
Having been interested in health and science from a young age and wanting a career involving patient interaction, Rose realised studying a Master of Pharmacy at UWA would fit the bill:
“I saw pharmacy as a good opportunity for me to contribute to a patient’s wellbeing by providing an excellent quality of medical care. And I chose UWA because of the high-quality teaching delivered by experienced lecturers in the field.”
In her first year of the Master of Pharmacy course, Rose enjoyed a four-week community pharmacy placement at Terry White Chemmart in Greenwood:
“I really enjoyed interacting with patients and I learned more about the role of the pharmacist in making sure the medicines and treatment options are safe and appropriate for each patient. The placement was also a positive experience for me as I was employed in the same pharmacy where I did my placement.”
During her second year, Rose enhanced her skills with a four-week hospital placement at Sir Charles Gairdner, St John of God, King Edward Memorial and Graylands hospitals, where she consolidated what she had learnt in the classroom and applied the knowledge and skills she’d gained to real-life cases.
Students keen to stretch their wings and add diversity to their degree can apply for a rewarding 5-week rural placement across WA. For those interested in travelling overseas, an exchange program with Zheijiang University, China, is offered to two students each year, and there are also international opportunities for those wanting to undertake research projects in countries such as Switzerland, Scotland or Norway.
As one of their final units, students in the Master of Pharmacy program complete Management and Economics in Pharmacy which connects students with industry leaders in pharmacy business and innovative pharmacy practice. Dr Sandra Salter, coordinator of the unit, explains:
“Through the preparation of a pharmacy business plan based on a real pharmacy, students learn key job-ready skills, including accounting and management, pharmacy valuation and business forecasting. Key networking opportunities commence with lectures, tutorials and workshops and culminate in the presentation of the business plan in a Shark Tank, where students pitch their plan to a panel of four industry-based sharks and real offers can be made for future business partnerships.”
The best thing about studying Pharmacy, Rose says, is that it’s a flexible career which does not limit you to just a hospital or community setting:
“It is a versatile career, and you can get involved in research, pharmaceutics, general practice setting, home medicines review, and a lot more. Pharmacy is also a rewarding career as you get to help patients with their health and wellbeing needs.”
Because all students studying a Master of Pharmacy complete their studies at UWA with a professional postgraduate qualification in Pharmacy and gain registration as a pharmacist in Australia and New Zealand, it means that Rose’s future is already mapped out:
“My aim is to be a General Practice Pharmacist. This role involves working in collaboration with GPs in the general medical practice and promoting patient health by conducting medication reviews, patient education and health promotion, just to name a few.”
Find out more about UWA’s Master of Pharmacy and what the degree can offer you.
At UWA you can design your own degree. Learn about our range of courses and career options at an upcoming information session being held throughout July and August 2021. Explore our sessions and register today!
