Another 10 pharmacy interns set to make their mark in 2025

WA Country Health Service will welcome another 10 intern pharmacists in early 2025.

The interns will join country health as part of an internship program that is focused on growing the next generation of rural and remote pharmacists.

Completing an internship program at WA Country Health Service offers university graduates the opportunity to undertake their registration year in hospitals and health services across country WA.

To make their transition as smooth as possible, WA Country Health Service supports them through accommodation subsidies, travel allowances and equipment.

A/Chief Pharmacist Hamish Burton said the internship program supports graduates to grow, develop and build a career in the bush.

“Now in its third year, our pharmacy internship continues to grow and build on our successes,” he said.

“We’re proud to be supporting a new cohort of talented interns as they start their regional pharmacy journey.”

“In the country, they’ll get to grow and learn from leading professionals and experience a range of learning opportunities that they may not get in other areas.”

Among the 2025 cohort is Yousif Alkroosh. Making the move from Perth, he will be based at Northam Health Service.

“I’ve never travelled to country WA before so I’m excited to explore the Wheatbelt. It’s an opportunity to gain new skills and experiences I wouldn’t get anywhere else,” he said.

Yousif said he is looking forward to the broad scope of experiences on offer at Northam Health Service.

“Every day will bring something different,” he shared.

“I’m looking forward to being exposed to new medications, unique cases and growing both personally and professionally.”

Intern pharmacists completing their one-year internship with WA Country Health Service will not only develop the skills to register as a pharmacist but will also develop an understanding for the complexities and rewarding challenges faced when providing regional and remote healthcare.

In return, country communities will benefit from great access to regional pharmacists in both hospital and community settings.

This builds on WA Country Health Service’s work to grow a sustainable rural and remote workforce.

In 2024, this work resulted in more than 2600 new employees joining the organisation, as well as a record number of graduate nurses and midwives and medical interns commencing in the new year.