Christine Dejando - Certificate in Pharmacy Technician (Level 5)

What attracted you to study Pharmacy?

I had done two years of a nursing degree and decided to take a break before my last year. I knew I enjoyed Health, and helping people, so I found a job in a pharmacy. I loved it!

How has your course at NZMA helped you?

I actually started my study with Open Polytech, but the pharmacy I was employed with also had Pharmacist Interns, so it was hard to get support. I decided to study full-time with NZMA, which also meant I would qualify much faster.  NZMA teach ‘best practice’ so I learned the right way to do things – and the reasons why we do things this way.  I also really enjoyed learning in-depth about medicines

Where are you working now and what is your role?

I have been working at Parkside Pharmacy in Auckland, as a senior technician since I graduated a year ago. 

What does your work involve?

Parkside Pharmacy is a unique site which mainly caters to rest homes. It’s situated in a high-rise building in the Auckland city, so we don’t see any customers face-to-face.  Instead, we liaise directly with doctors and nurses about their patients. I work as a senior technician, processing prescriptions and dispensing medicines. We dispense a lot of compliance packs and stock for rest homes and I also make aseptic products.

What’s the most exciting aspect of your job?

I love the responsibility I have, and the fact that I still learn new things. 

What were the highlights of your course?

My work placement – I got to experience hospital pharmacy and I loved it. I learned so much that I had never seen in a community pharmacy. I feel that Parkside Pharmacy is somewhere between the two.

What is your career goal?

I want to do my Level 6 qualification, and also to qualify as a Pharmacy Accuracy Checking Technician.

I was considering entering the Technician of the Year awards, but decided to wait till I have another year’s experience.  I want to be the best technician I can be!

What is the one lesson you learnt during your study and work?

Just keep going – sometimes it seems really hard, but you WILL get there!