Pharmacist at Banff Mineral Springs Hospital knows the value of being a preceptor for students
August 28, 2025
By Ella Huibers, communications and marketing student
When Jocelyn Robertson first arrived at Banff Mineral Springs Hospital as a pharmacy student in 2011, she was stepping into more than just a clinical placement. She was entering a mentorship that would shape her career and, ultimately, her approach to working with the next generation of pharmacists.
“I felt really supported, like I was being brought into the fold,” says Jocelyn, who was hired as relief staff by the hospital when she graduated in 2012.
Jocelyn credits that feeling to her preceptor at the time, inpatient pharmacist Carol Vorster, who made sure she was supported in her learning while also encouraging her to become self-sufficient. Carol introduced her to the entire care team and ensured she had opportunities to collaborate across disciplines.
“Carol is something special,” says Jocelyn. “She’s a natural born leader who was the first to adopt new practices and taught me how to answer my own questions, which is what we need to do as pharmacists.”
Now, 13 years later, Jocelyn is the in-patient pharmacist and a preceptor for pharmacy students at the hospital. She works closely with physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dietitians and other healthcare professionals to ensure each patient receives individualized, holistic care. In that same spirit of collaboration that Carol showed her, Jocelyn introduces her students to the full care team so they can appreciate the importance of communication and collaboration in their practicum from day one.
"I care about my students, and I want them to get the most out of their experience. I want them to have learning opportunities, ask questions and do deep dives into understanding."
Pharmacist, Banff Mineral Springs Hospital
Preceptorship, for Jocelyn, is not simply about teaching technical skills. It is about fostering curiosity, encouraging critical thinking and modelling the compassion that should guide every decision in health care. Her dedication to both patients and learners earned her a nomination for Covenant’s Mission Award for Compassion in 2024.
“I try to create an environment where we’re learning from each other and we’re trying to do the best for our patients,” Jocelyn says.
Having fewer resources than healthcare workers in large urban centres means that Jocelyn and her colleagues often need to take on multiple roles to ensure patients receive the care they need. For example, Banff Mineral Springs Hospital does not have a dedicated social work team on-site, so staff step up to connect patients with the right supports. This adaptability is something Jocelyn makes sure her students see in action.
“Just because I am rural, I don’t want anyone to be getting less,” says Jocelyn. “I am always staying on top of what the most recent evidence-based medicine is to ensure I can do the best by our patients.”
Jocelyn’s path to pharmacy began years before she met her first preceptor. Growing up, she was inspired by her best friend’s mother, who worked at the local pharmacy. Watching her help customers and connect with the community sparked Jocelyn’s interest in health care.
For Jocelyn, mentorship is one of the most important ways she can give back to her profession and strengthen patient care.
“I think (being a preceptor) is a professional responsibility. The more built-up pharmacy students are, the more they are going to contribute to health care.”
Being a preceptor is also an opportunity to carry forward the lessons she learned from Carol, says Jocelyn. It is a way of ensuring the next generation of pharmacists enters the profession not just with knowledge but with confidence and the tools to succeed.
“It’s so important to give students that experience so they’re coming into the workforce more confident and with skills and tools like what Carol gave me — so much information and learning about how to do things that aren’t in a textbook or aren’t taught in class — so they are so much more prepared.”