Page 4 - Pharmacy careers guide

Introduction to the pharmacy profession
Pharmacy is the study of the development of drugs used for therapy and their medicinal effects on the human body. Pharmacists are medicines experts who apply clinical knowledge to practical situations and are essential to the healthcare system.
4 Pharmacy careers guide I ©Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd.
Pharmacists are part of a multidisciplinary team
of medical staff and allied health professionals that seek to provide optimal care for patients
and carers. Pharmacy is a rewarding career for those interested in the health and wellbeing of people in primary, secondary and tertiary care settings. Pharmacy offers diverse career options in traditional e.g. community and hospital settings, and non‐traditional settings.
Pharmacists are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and registration must be current for pharmacists to work in clinical settings. Registered pharmacists must comply with the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia (NCSFPA) 2010.
The Competency Standards describe the skills, attitudes and attributes which enable the individual to practise as a pharmacist. The domains or areas of professional endeavour or responsibility covered by the Competency Standards are:
• Professional and ethical practice
• Communication, collaboration and
self‐management
• Leadership and management
• Review and supply prescribed medicines
• Prepare pharmaceutical products
• Deliver primary and preventative healthcare
• Promote and contribute to optimal use of
medicines
• Critical analysis, research and education