BREAKING NEW
GROUND
Scottish Pharmacist Magazine met with Maxine McCabe to discuss her trailblazing journey to becoming the UK’s first credentialed advanced community pharmacist – a milestone achievement that marks a significant step forward for the profession.
I
n a landmark moment for pharmacy practice, Maxine became the first community pharmacist in the UK to be credentialed at
core advanced level by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS). Her accomplishment not only reflects personal dedication but also paves the way for wider recognition of advanced practice within the community pharmacy setting.
Maxine, who has worked in community pharmacy since qualifying in 2008, currently balances a dual role - offering prescribing services at Burnside Pharmacy in Lanarkshire, where she also leads a Teach and Treat Hub and working part-time as a Senior Educator with NHS Education for Scotland (NES).
“I wanted to show that community pharmacists could absolutely achieve advanced practice,” Maxine explained. “Credentialing showcases that we are delivering across all four pillars clinical practice, leadership, education and research - even within the busy community setting.”
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Her journey was not without challenges. Taking on new roles mid-way through the process made the workload demanding, and, like many in the profession, Maxine cited time as the biggest hurdle.
Her strategy? “I treated it like a marathon. I set realistic deadlines, blocked out weekly time in my calendar and kept a notebook of real-life cases. Most of the evidence came from my everyday work.”
A key takeaway for Maxine was the power of reflection. “We do so much in our daily roles, but credentialing gave me the space to reflect, seek structured feedback and improve. It is not just about gaining a title – it is about growing as a practitioner.”
Resources played a vital part in her success. She praised both the RPS and NES for offering guidance, from e-portfolio tutorials to evidence examples. Building a strong support network
was also essential. “You cannot do it alone. Having mentors, collaborators and supervisors who understand your journey makes a huge difference.”
As Maxine looks to the future, she’s clear: this is only the beginning. “Credentialing has helped me identify areas I want to develop further. It is a foundation, not a finish line.”
Maxine hopes her achievement inspires others. “If you are thinking about advanced practice - just start. Open the portfolio, explore the resources and reach out to others who have done it. The profession is evolving and we have a real opportunity to show how community pharmacy can lead the way in advanced, patient-centred care.”
With professionals like Maxine setting the pace, the future of pharmacy looks not only promising but transformational.
HAVING MENTORS, COLLABORATORS AND SUPERVISORS WHO UNDERSTAND YOUR JOURNEY MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE
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