Assie OConnor
Advanced Practitioner Pharmacist - Rheumatology,
Haywood Hospital
Assie has been a qualified pharmacist since 2011, starting her career in community pharmacy as a pharmacy manager. She undertook a post-graduate certificate during her time in community pharmacy and later started and qualified in an MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) whilst working in local PCNs.
Since qualifying as an ACP, she has taken up post as an advanced practitioner pharmacist in rheumatology where she is embedded in the rheumatology and pharmacy teams.
Assie is passionate ensuring patients are offered clinical care that is appropriate and suits their needs. She is supportive of using current technology and advances to improve patient experiences and outcomes. Working as an ACP provides the opportunity to demonstrate adherence to the pillars of advanced practice, and so education and research are built into her roles. She has run webinars and training sessions in conjunction with the ICB, school of pharmacy and within her Trust.
She is involved in various rheumatology societies, holding positions on executive committees, providing a voice for pharmacy professionals and allied health professionals.
She is also actively involved in developing guidelines, protocols and SOPs, locally and nationally.
Assie believes that the world of rheumatology offers the opportunity to be involved at the forefront of using new treatments to improve patients’ lives.