Applications are now OPEN until Sunday 1 December for the next Mentoring Programme.
The IIOP Mentoring Programme is for pharmacists, by pharmacists. Pharmacists from across the profession are invited to apply for the flexible programme running from December 2024 to April 2025. Applications are open for mentors and mentees from today until Sunday 1 December.
What’s involved?
The aim of the IIOP Mentoring Programme is to empower pharmacists to take control of their professional development and to realise the benefits of reflective practice. Practically, this means pairing pharmacists with a pharmacist mentor to support them with their development. Our programme is flexible by nature with orientation training and ongoing support provided by the programme team.
The programme will run for 4-6 months between December 2024 and April 2025. Previous mentoring pairs reported meeting for 60 minutes virtually or in person every 3-4 weeks, outside of work, with some time spent on preparation and reflection in between meetings.
Who can apply?
Mentees
Applications are open to all pharmacists across the profession, at any stage of your career and in any practice area. This is an opportunity to access to your own personal mentor who is there to support you in your development. Mentee orientation training will take place online on Monday 9 December 2024.
Click here to apply as a mentee
Mentors
Applications for mentors are open to all pharmacists who have completed the IIOP Mentorship Skills Training. Have you completed this training and want to put your skills into practice? Would you like to support a fellow pharmacist with their development? Are you looking to develop your mentoring skills further? Training and support will be provided. Mentor orientation training will take place online on Thursday 12 December 2024.
To be eligible to apply as mentor you must be:
- A member of the IIOP
- Committed to your ongoing professional development
- In good professional standing
- Trained, having completed the Mentorship Skills Training Programme for Pharmacists
Click here to apply as a mentor.
Participation in the IIOP Mentoring programmes is optional and voluntary.
Applications close Friday 29th November
Previous Mentoring Programmes
Matching of the mentors and mentees is completed by the programme team based on mentee preferences, mentor experience, personality descriptors and diversity. Previous mentoring pairs reflected the breadth of the profession with both inter and intra practice area matching. Pharmacists involved previously fed back that mentoring gave them energy and that they looked forward to the sessions in their week. Other outcomes were:
- 100% of pharmacists involved said the programme met their expectations and that they would want to be involved in continued mentoring initiatives.
- Improvements were seen in confidence and competence with reflective practice for the mentees.
- Improvements were seen for the mentors in their mentoring skills such as setting clear goals, acknowledging strengths, setting expectations, and asking powerful questions.
Building a Culture of Mentoring
Mentoring is a key component of professional development and personal growth. It is a supportive, nurturing relationship; a sounding board that enables someone through a transition in learning. The relationship may cover a variety of contexts and when successful, it benefits all. The IIOP’s Mentoring programme is evidence based, formal yet flexible for pharmacists by pharmacists. Designed to suit the life of a busy pharmacist, a structure is provided which is flexible and personalised to the mentoring pair. It is bespoke to pharmacists working in all practice areas and is the first of its kind offered to pharmacists in Ireland. Together, we are working to create a culture of mentorship within the Irish pharmacy profession. As we work through times of change and innovation, we can support each other in a way that is difficult to achieve through other means.
How to get in touch
Check out our mentoring portal on the website where you can find more information about mentoring, how you can get involved, and links to additional resources. Keep an eye on our social media for updates and ways to get involved. As always, we would love to hear from you, if you have any questions you can get in touch by emailing mentoring@iiop.ie.