150 Khaleel Loonat: From prescriptions to the Premier League!

In this engaging episode, we explore the diverse and inspiring career of Khaleel Loonat, a clinical pharmacist who has successfully branched out into football scouting and pharmaceutical consultancy. Khaleel shares his journey from initially considering quitting pharmacy school to becoming a valued member of the Leeds United Academy scouting team and an Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) student.
Khaleel's story begins with his pre-registration year in community pharmacy, where he felt unfulfilled and sought to broaden his horizons through backpacking in South America. This experience opened his eyes to different cultures and pushed him out of his comfort zone. Upon returning, he transitioned to hospital pharmacy, completing a residency program that exposed him to various specialties.
A turning point in Khaleel's career came when he discovered his talent for medical coding in GP practices. This unique skill set led to consultancy opportunities and significantly impacted his professional trajectory. Khaleel explains the intricacies of coding, its importance in primary care, and how it can increase practice revenue and improve patient outcomes.
The conversation then shifts to Khaleel's journey into football scouting. As a lifelong football enthusiast, he seized an opportunity to become a scout for Leeds United Academy. Khaleel passionately discusses his mission to increase South Asian representation in football academies and shares his proud moments of helping young players secure opportunities with top clubs.
Khaleel also delves into his work with pharmaceutical companies, explaining how his clinical experience and communication skills have made him a valuable consultant and speaker. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships and providing value, which has led to numerous opportunities in the industry.

Key Takeaways:

Pursuing passions alongside a pharmacy career can lead to unexpected opportunities.

Coding skills can be a valuable asset in primary care pharmacy.

The ACP course offers pharmacists a pathway to expand their clinical skills.

Networking and building relationships are crucial for career growth.

Pharmacy skills like communication and problem-solving are transferable to other fields.

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CONNECT WITH KHALEEL:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaleel-loonat-a6528714b/
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