WEBVTT 00:00:04.045 --> 00:00:06.923 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:78% I'm Captain Christopher Sherman from Riverview, New Brunswick. 00:00:06.923 --> 00:00:10.844 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:125% I'm a Pharmacy Officer currently posted at 17 Wing in Winnipeg, Manitoba. 00:00:11.886 --> 00:00:16.891 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:123% Pharmacy Officers are a vital part of the healthcare team in the Canadian Armed Forces. 00:00:16.891 --> 00:00:21.062 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:118% From providing expert advice on drug therapy in garrison and on deployments, 00:00:21.062 --> 00:00:24.190 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:90% to managing the distribution of medication and medical equipment, 00:00:24.190 --> 00:00:27.193 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:95% Pharmacy Officers are employed in a variety of settings. 00:00:28.027 --> 00:00:30.989 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:100% There's actually many jobs you can occupy as a military pharmacist. 00:00:30.989 --> 00:00:36.494 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:120% Our military clinics are actually a bit of a mix between civilian pharmacy and hospital pharmacy. 00:00:36.494 --> 00:00:40.123 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:115% So we still have the traditional dispensaries, as you can see behind me here, 00:00:40.123 --> 00:00:45.587 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:123% and we actually have a lot of clinical roles as well, so our doctors, our nurses, all of that, 00:00:45.587 --> 00:00:47.505 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:118% are located right in the same building with us. 00:00:47.505 --> 00:00:51.885 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:100% So we have case conferences on patients, we do rounds with physicians, 00:00:51.885 --> 00:00:53.720 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:88% all these things that you get in a hospital as well, 00:00:53.720 --> 00:00:56.306 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:88% so you're a little more involved in the patient care, which is nice. 00:00:57.015 --> 00:00:59.392 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:75% There are other roles: we have something called CMED, 00:00:59.392 --> 00:01:02.771 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:93% which is a central medical equipment depot, in Petawawa, 00:01:02.771 --> 00:01:06.775 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:118% where they basically act as a medical supply for the entire Canadian Forces 00:01:06.775 --> 00:01:08.943 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:70% and for deployed operations. 00:01:09.235 --> 00:01:12.906 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:100% We have other positions at Field Ambulances and Field Hospitals, 00:01:12.906 --> 00:01:17.494 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:113% sort of acting more in the field environment, supporting the troops directly there. 00:01:17.494 --> 00:01:21.664 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:108% You're not only the pharmacist, clinically, but you're also often in charge 00:01:21.664 --> 00:01:24.417 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:68% of the medical supplies and all the medical assets, 00:01:24.417 --> 00:01:27.879 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:68% so anything from drugs to blood to X-ray machines, 00:01:27.879 --> 00:01:30.799 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:120% anything like that is sort of your jurisdiction. 00:01:30.799 --> 00:01:32.884 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:108% So you're a bit of a manager in that sense. 00:01:32.884 --> 00:01:36.721 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:103% We do also have a disaster assistance response team role, 00:01:36.721 --> 00:01:39.724 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:95% which is a team that the Canadian Forces puts together 00:01:39.724 --> 00:01:43.144 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:85% to respond to natural emergencies when they happen around the world. 00:01:43.144 --> 00:01:48.817 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:113% As well as positions in Ottawa, developing policy, working on drug formulary, 00:01:48.817 --> 00:01:50.443 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:65% all those types of things. 00:01:55.323 --> 00:01:58.827 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:103% A career in the military as a pharmacist, it's really an adventure, honestly. 00:01:58.827 --> 00:02:02.288 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:98% You get the opportunities to go out with the troops on taskings - 00:02:02.288 --> 00:02:06.292 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:118% you know, play in the field, wear all the gear, carry around the weapons, things like that. 00:02:06.626 --> 00:02:10.338 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:118% The Army and the military also offers a lot of esprit de corps, you know, 00:02:10.338 --> 00:02:12.966 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:110% there's a lot of pride when you put on that uniform in the morning. 00:02:13.550 --> 00:02:18.096 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:123% As well, with the military, I find that the quality of life is really there for you. 00:02:18.096 --> 00:02:22.308 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:108% On your day-to-day work, to do physical training during work hours - 00:02:22.308 --> 00:02:24.936 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:98% whether it's go to the gym, I play soccer a couple of days a week - 00:02:24.936 --> 00:02:27.730 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:90% getting those types of opportunities that just improve your morale 00:02:27.730 --> 00:02:29.858 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:88% and really make coming to work fun. 00:02:31.484 --> 00:02:35.196 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:95% I recently got back from Kuwait on a three-week deployment 00:02:35.196 --> 00:02:38.283 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:78% and it was my first opportunity to do something like that. 00:02:38.908 --> 00:02:42.954 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:80% Just from getting off the plane, it's all real all of a sudden. 00:02:42.954 --> 00:02:45.456 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:95% You know, I was nervous going into it, 00:02:45.456 --> 00:02:48.668 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:65% but to be able to go there and actually do your job - 00:02:48.668 --> 00:02:52.839 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:123% you're supporting a lot of people over there that are really making a difference in that area. 00:03:02.056 --> 00:03:04.350 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:118% Well, the first couple of years of your career, 00:03:04.350 --> 00:03:07.437 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:125% generally, we spend about a year doing our initial training - 00:03:07.437 --> 00:03:11.941 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:108% so things like a 6-month hospital residency and some military courses 00:03:11.941 --> 00:03:14.611 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:88% specific to pharmacy and healthcare within the military. 00:03:14.903 --> 00:03:17.030 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:105% Generally we're posted to a larger clinic, 00:03:17.030 --> 00:03:20.408 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:98% so you have someone to kind of help you learn the job, things like that; 00:03:20.408 --> 00:03:24.120 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:95% spend a couple of years on the clinic, just doing what we learned in school, 00:03:24.120 --> 00:03:27.332 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:108% getting a little bit of the military pace, and then eventually getting the opportunity 00:03:27.332 --> 00:03:31.085 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:93% to branch out and get some experience in some of those other positions 00:03:31.085 --> 00:03:33.296 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:125% that are a little more unique to military service. 00:03:34.005 --> 00:03:38.176 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:123% Pharmacy Officers also work in other environments including instruction and teaching, 00:03:38.176 --> 00:03:40.929 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:78% as well as strategic management and pharmacy governance. 00:03:45.016 --> 00:03:49.062 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:115% Being in the military gives me a pretty tremendous sense of pride, obviously, 00:03:49.062 --> 00:03:51.731 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:120% being able to put on the uniform in the morning and be proud of that, 00:03:51.731 --> 00:03:54.275 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:88% be proud of what you're doing, being proud of making a difference, 00:03:54.275 --> 00:03:55.985 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:108% both when you're working here in the clinic 00:03:55.985 --> 00:03:59.364 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:115% as well as when you're deployed or on operation overseas. 00:03:59.364 --> 00:04:02.408 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:120% Getting that chance to really make a difference, not only in Canadians' lives 00:04:02.408 --> 00:04:06.829 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:125% but other people's lives is quite rewarding and really makes you feel good at the end of the day - 00:04:06.829 --> 00:04:08.873 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:125% it makes you feel like you're making a difference.