Graduate Certificate in Pharmacy Practice
Units of study descriptions
Pharmacy Intern Training Program
PHAR7111 Pharmacy Intern Training A
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Irene Um Session: Semester 1 Classes: Two 2-day seminar series for face-to-face teaching and learning, four moderated online discussion blocks, and continuous flexible delivery. Assessment: Satisfactory contribution to online discussion groups. Satisfactory mark in multiple choice exam. Attendance and satisfactory participation during small group tutorials and other seminar activities (100%). Mode of delivery: Distance education/intensive on campus
Note: Current provisional pharmacist registration is a requirement of the unit, together with employment in a workplace approved by the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
Applied Pharmacy Practice I is designed to be undertaken by pharmacy interns undertaking supervised professional practice while working towards general registration as a pharmacist, and is intended to complement the learning which occurs in the workplace. It further develops the technical, clinical, personal and professional skills gained during the completion of an initial Pharmacy degree that form the basis of future practice. This unit of study uses multiple methods of delivery to explore the range of issues that are relevant to the day-to-day practice of pharmacy. The issues include: systematic approach to problem solving; therapeutics; evidence based practice; patient monitoring; symptomology; patient outcomes; methods of improving adherence; multiple medication management; pharmaceutical care; standards and competencies for pharmacy practice; community pharmacy practice; hospital pharmacy practice; ethics; legal aspects; multidisciplinary approach to healthcare; primary care; over- the-counter medicines; communication and counselling; public health; pharmaceutical calculations; risk management; developing professional communication skills with patients, employees and other health care practitioners. This unit of study comprises monthly case problems related to specific practice issues which explore relevant professional issues for pharmacy practitioners. Moderated discussion forums in small groups explore the relevant issues around the case problem each month. Face to face seminars offer opportunities to refine expertise in evidence based practice, professional competencies, communication and counselling and specific aspects of ethical, legal and clinical pharmacy. Emphasis is given to problem-solving, communication and responding to symptoms. Scenarios where legal, social and workplace issues come into play are included. The syllabus is orientated to issues that arise in the day-to-day practice of pharmacy and to the requirements for general registration as a pharmacist in Australia. Bachelor/Master of Pharmacy graduates undertaking their intern experience in community pharmacy will be exposed to issues relevant to hospital pharmacy, and vice versa. This unit of study will develop graduates' independence and life-long learning skills of communication, capacity for enquiry and research, critical thought and analysis, problem solving, teamwork, numeracy and effective use of information technology.
PHAR7121 Pharmacy Intern Training B
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Irene Um Session: Semester 2 Classes: Two 2-day seminars series for face-to-face teaching and learning, three moderated online discussion blocks, and continuous flexible delivery. Assessment: Satisfactory contribution to online discussion groups. Completion of forensic examination. Attendance and satisfactory participation during small group tutorials and other seminars activities. Satisfactory completion of portfolio and three competency assessments (100%). Mode of delivery: Distance education/intensive on campus
Note: Current provisional pharmacist registration is a requirement of the unit, together with employment in a workplace approved by the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
Applied Pharmacy Practice II is designed to be undertaken by pharmacy interns undertaking supervised professional practice while working towards general registration as a pharmacist, and is intended to complement the learning which occurs in the workplace. It further develops the technical, clinical, personal and professional skills gained during the completion of an initial Pharmacy degree that form the basis of future practice. This unit of study uses multiple methods of delivery to explore the range of issues that are relevant to the day-to-day practice of pharmacy. The issues include: systematic approach to problem solving; therapeutics; evidence based practice; patient monitoring; symptomology; patient outcomes; methods of improving adherence; multiple medication management; pharmaceutical care; standards and competencies for pharmacy practice; community pharmacy practice; hospital pharmacy practice; ethics; legal aspects; multidisciplinary approach to healthcare; primary care; over- the-counter medicines; communication and counselling; public health; pharmaceutical calculations; risk management; developing professional communication skills with patients, employees and other health care practitioners. This unit of study comprises monthly case problems related to specific practice issues which explore relevant professional issues for pharmacy practitioners. Moderated discussion forums in small groups explore the relevant issues around the case problem each month. Face to face seminars offer opportunities to refine expertise in evidence based practice, professional competencies, communication and counselling and specific aspects of ethical, legal and clinical pharmacy. Emphasis is given to problem-solving, communication and responding to symptoms. Scenarios where legal, social and workplace issues come into play are included. The syllabus is orientated to issues that arise in the day-to-day practice of pharmacy and to the requirements for general registration as a pharmacist in Australia. Bachelor/Master of Pharmacy graduates undertaking their intern experience in community pharmacy will be exposed to issues relevant to hospital pharmacy, and vice versa. This unit of study will develop graduates' independence and life-long learning skills of communication, capacity for enquiry and research, critical thought and analysis, problem solving, teamwork, numeracy and effective use of information technology.
Elective Units
PHAR7110 Fundamentals of Contemporary Practice
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Ines Krass Session: Semester 1 Classes: Classes will delivered through on-line discussions, case studies and role plays. Prohibitions: PHAR7111 or PHAR7121 Assessment: On-line quizzes, satisfactory participation in on-line discussions, assignments (100%). Mode of delivery: Online
This unit of study covers the principles of evidence-based medicine; quantitative and qualitative interpretation of research evidence; the application of pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenomics in medication and dose selection and regimens; essential communication skills required to provide contemporary pharmacy services. This unit of study is a core unit for participants who are ineligible to enrol in PHAR7111 and PHAR7121.
PHAR7112 Medications Management
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Ines Krass, Lisa Kouladjian Session: Semester 1 Classes: Classes will be delivered through on-line reading and discussions, webinars, case studies and practice based experiences. Assessment: On-line webinar participation (12%), learning module activities (42%), and medication review assignments (46%). Mode of delivery: Online
Note: PHAR7112: Medications Management is accredited for Stage One (preparatory) Training with the Australian Association of Consultant Pharmacy. On satisfactory completion of this unit of study, students will be able to proceed to Stage 2 Accreditation Assessment Process for the delivery of medication management reviews to community-based individuals and residents of aged care facilities. See https://www.aacp.com.au for details.
This unit of study aims to develop an in-depth understanding and advanced skills in fulfilling the role of pharmacists in medication management for older people. The course readings cover the following content areas: Epidemiology of common health problems affecting older people; physiological changes associated with ageing and their implications for therapeutic response and medicines management; health promotion and disease prevention (with emphasis on pharmacological interventions designed to reduce mortality and chronic disease); management of common chronic diseases of older people; and medication management in hospitals and the community. Skills development will focus on communication with patients; pharmacist, physician, and allied-health inter-professional communication; preparation of medication reviews; and home/residential aged-care facility visits.
Textbooks
AMH Aged-Care Companion 2016
PHAR7123 Diabetes Mellitus
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Ines Krass Session: Semester 1 Classes: Self-directed learning modules, workplace based assessment tasks, and online webinars. Assessment: Participation in online webinars (12%), learning module activities (48%), diabetes devices assignment (10%), documentation of advanced diabetes patient care (15%), and reflective diary (15%). Mode of delivery: Online
This Unit of Study is intended to develop a clear understanding of the role of pharmacists in the care of patients with diabetes mellitus and the knowledge and skills needed to provide comprehensive pharmaceutical care to this growing section of the Australian population. More specifically, the unit seeks to provide an in-depth understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the regulation of glucose metabolism; aetiology, treatment and monitoring of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological management; psychosocial issues in diabetes; management and prevention of co-morbidities and complications and public health approaches to the prevention of diabetes. It aims to develop pharmacists' skills in interpretation of relevant clinical and laboratory tests and patterns of blood glucose; supporting patient self-management through advice on appropriate use of blood glucose meters, insulin pens, self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), medication regimen adherence and review, lifestyle changes, management of hypoglycaemia, and sick days. Appropriate pharmacist/patient and inter-professional communication skills will be fostered.
PHAR7122 Mental Health
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Timothy Chen Session: Semester 2 Classes: Discussion forums, assignments and readings. Assessment: On-line webinar participation (5%), online learning module activities (40%), and assignments (55%). Mode of delivery: Online
This unit of study will cover the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of the following common mental health problems: anxiety and obsessional disorders, depression, substance abuse, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders amongst other conditions. This unit of study will focus particularly on medication management issues in consumers with these conditions and the pharmacist's role in managing these consumers. It will also focus on the role of the pharmacist within the broader mental health care system in Australia.
Textbooks
The Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines in Psychiatry, 12th Edition (Wiley Blackwell).
PHAR7113 Cardiovascular and Renal
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Carl Schneider Session: Semester 2 Classes: Classes will be delivered through on-line discussions, webinars, case studies and role plays. Assessment: Participation in online webinars (5%), learning module activities (30%), assignments (40%), and reflective diary (25%). Mode of delivery: Online
This unit of study aims to develop an in-depth understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular and renal systems; aetiology, treatment, management and monitoring of patients with renal (including acute and chronic renal failure) and cardiovascular disease (including hypertension, heart failure, coronary heart disease, lipid disorders); It will also explore the role of the specialist cardiovascular/renal pharmacist in management and education of patients and other health care practitioners; public health approaches to the prevention of cardiovascular and renal disease; management and prevention of co-morbidities. Skills development will focus on application of this knowledge to the medication management of patient with cardiovascular and renal disease including interpretation of relevant clinical and laboratory tests, medication review and formulation of appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological care plans for these patients.