For Alistair Kasimi, working across diverse pharmacies reinforces the vital role of pharmacists as accessible and trusted healthcare professionals.
Based in Western Australia, Mr Kasimi splits his time between permanent shifts and diverse locum roles across various communities and practices. He earned his pharmacy degree at the University of New England (NSW) following health science studies at the University of Otago in New Zealand.
‘Moving between different pharmacies in Perth and regional areas, no two days are ever really the same.’
When asked why he initially chose pharmacy, Mr Kasimi says that, ‘It felt like a natural progression. Pharmacy aligned with my personal interests and strengths. I enjoy talking to patients to help them understand their health.’
While locum work brings variety and flexibility, it also comes with a steep learning curve of being able to navigate unfamiliar workplaces with little context.
‘When I first started, it was about walking into completely new environments where I didn’t know how everything worked or who everyone was,’ he says. ‘As a locum, you often have to learn on the go; curiosity remains crucial.’
Instead of viewing this unpredictability as a barrier, Mr Kasimi sees it as a pivotal component of professional development. Moving between metropolitan, regional and remote communities reinforces the diversity
of patient needs.
‘You definitely notice the differences,’ he says. ‘In smaller regional towns, the pharmacy is a beating heart of the community, and care tends to be more personalised. In busier metro pharmacies, it’s much faster paced and you need to adapt quickly.’
Mr Kasimi is passionate about expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice. By bringing healthcare services to communities in need, he is a champion of pharmacists’ role as accessible, trusted healthcare professionals. As his career continues to unfold, Mr Kasimi hopes to continue building upon his experiences as a locum pharmacist, with a sharp focus on clinical expertise and patient care.
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