The PSA is to be one of only three organisations authorised by the Australian Department of Health to credential pharmacists to conduct medication management reviews.
Accreditation with PSA entitles pharmacists to claim for remuneration for Home Medicines Reviews (HMRs) and Residential Medication Management Reviews (RMMRs).
These medication management programmes funded via the 7th Community Pharmacy Agreement (7CPA) support quality use of medicine services that are designed to reduce adverse medicine events and associated hospital admissions or medical presentations.
The PSA is one of the principal providers of pharmacy credentialing services. The PSA’s credential involves a two stage process – a training phase (Stage 1), and an online competency-based assessment process conducted by the PSA involving a communication module, a clinical assessment based on multiple choice questions and a series of four case studies designed to assess the various competencies required to conduct medication management reviews (Stage 2).
The PSA website provides valuable clinical and practice resources for accredited pharmacists.
The PSA will provides accredited pharmacists with clinical updates, news, practice management information, CPD updates and commentary.
Accreditation with the PSA provides pharmacists with opportunities to develop professionally in new and exciting areas of practice. Whilst conducting medication reviews enhances inter-professional relationships, improves the quality use of medicines and impacts positively on health outcomes, accredited pharmacists can also use their knowledge and skills in other areas of practice.
Accredited pharmacists are well-qualified to assist with the delivery of in-pharmacy programmes such as Medscheck and Diabetes Medscheck, which have been designed to enhance quality use of medicines and reduce the number of adverse medicines events.
Both the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian Medical Association (AMA) support the role of utilising pharmacists within general practice.
Accredited pharmacists area ideally qualified for this exciting new role, which brings opportunities for individual learning and development as well as wider primary health care system benefits which can improve patient outcomes and provide support to GPs and potentially reduce unnecessary hospital admissions associated with medication misadventure.
Accredited pharmacists think innovatively and become experts at clinical problem solving. Their knowledge can be enhanced with further study and experience to gain qualifications as Diabetes Educators. Specialisation in areas such as asthma, mental health and pain management enable accredited pharmacists to develop their areas of expertise further.
New 7CPA Pharmacy Trial Programmes may also benefit from the participation of accredited pharmacists.
With the funding of the Health Care Home model, opportunities also exist for accredited pharmacists to join their team of local health care professionals to deliver integrated care.
