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Pharmacist Prescribing Scope of Practice Training Program

The Pharmacist Prescribing Scope of Practice Training Program consists of: 

  

  • Prescribing Training Program – Focusing on developing the knowledge, skills, and behaviours required for prescribing, this program aligns with the NPS Prescribing Competencies Framework, equipping pharmacists with the ability to prescribe safely and appropriately. This program is accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council 

  

  • Clinical Practice Training Program – Covers clinical assessment, diagnosis, practical clinical skills and management of a range of conditions, enhancing patient-centred care. 
PHARMACIST PRESCRIBING SCOPE OF PRACTICE TRAINING PROGRAM
PRESCRIBING TRAINING PROGRAM (PTP)
CLINICAL PRACTICE TRAINING PROGRAM

The Prescribing Training Program and the Clinical Practice Training Program are available as a combined program or can be enrolled in separately.

 

Enhance your expertise to diagnose and prescribe medicines for acute and chronic conditions and improve primary healthcare accessibility in your community. 

 

Delivery and assessment

Blended delivery, combining online modules with face-to-face workshop and assessments.

 

Prescribing Training Program assessment methods include:

  • Multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
  • Short answer responses
  • PSA ‘Deadly Pharmacists’ online modules with assessments
  • NPS modules
  • ACQSHC shared decision-making risk communication module
  • Self-assessment tasks against prescribing competencies
  • Case studies with a prescriber mentor
  • Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) (online)

 

Clinical Practice Training Program assessment methods include:
  • Multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
  • Written assessments
  • Clinical documentation through AI-simulated consultations
  • 3 day face-to-face clinical skills workshops
  • 1 day face-to-face clinical skills assessment
  • 1 day face-to-face Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

 

Duration / time commitment

The program is self-paced, giving you the flexibility to fit your studies around your work and personal life.

 

Pharmacist Prescribing Scope of Practice Training Program:

  • Expected duration is 18 months. Learners are allowed a total duration of 24 months.

 

Prescribing Training Program:

  • Expected duration is 6 months. Learners are allowed a total duration of 18 months.

 

Clinical Practice Training Program:

  • Expected duration is 12 months. Learners are allowed a total duration of 18 months.

Flexible enrolment

Learners can enrol at any time and complete the Clinical Practice Training Program and Prescribing Training Program in any order or simultaneously. Completing the Prescribing Training Program before the Clinical Practice Training Program may be beneficial, as understanding the prescribing cycle can assist with the final assessment in the clinical program.

Target audience

Learners must hold current registration (provisional included) with the Pharmacy Board of Australia with no conditions. Intern pharmacists are eligible to enrol but are encouraged to consider their study workload.

 

Prescribing mentor requirements

The Prescribing Training Program requires learners to engage with a prescriber mentor. Learners are required to complete a self-assessment against the NPS Prescribing Competency Framework and develop a learning plan with a prescriber mentor. Learners must complete a minimum of six case studies demonstrating prescribing practice, reviewed and reflected on with the mentor before submission to PSA. The prescriber mentor must be able to guide your development and plan activities and support clinical case discussions.

 

The prescriber mentor must meet the following requirements:

  • Ahpra registration who can prescribe medicines independently
  • Minimum of 12 months independent prescribing experience
  • Currently practice in a primary care setting, aligning with your scope of practice

FAQS

Enrolment

Why choose the PSA’s Pharmacist Prescribing Scope of Practice Training Program

By engaging in this training program, pharmacists will gain essential expertise in managing highlighted conditions, bolstering their professional capabilities and expanding their knowledge base. This program will enable pharmacists to contribute more effectively to patient care, fostering a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment in their role. Moreover, the enhanced skills gained from this training will promote continuous professional growth and continue to establish pharmacists as trusted healthcare providers in their communities.

Can I enrol into this program if I’m an intern pharmacist?

Yes, intern pharmacists with provisional registration may enrol. PSA would encourage interns to consider the workload of their programs before enrolling.

Can I enrol in this program if I have pharmacy qualifications from outside of Australia?

Yes, if you hold general or provisional registration as a Pharmacist with Ahpra.

Can pharmacists of any practice setting enrol?

The training is available to pharmacists in all practice settings, including community and hospital pharmacy. PSA believes the training benefits all practice settings, though eligibility for government subsidies may vary.

Can I enrol into this program as a locum pharmacist?

Yes, the program is suitable for all areas of practice. Workplace requirements for subsidies differ, please refer to your state/territory for further details.

Can I apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?

RPL is not available for the Clinical Practice Training Program or the Prescribing Training Program.

 

Pharmacists who have completed PSA’s Sexual and Reproductive Health training can receive credit for the hormonal contraception section of the  Clinical Practice Training Program.

I am currently completing the prescribing training program with another provider, do I need to complete this before I can enrol in the PSA Clinical Practice Training Program?

You can enrol and complete the PSA clinical training while completing the prescribing component with another provider.

I’ve already completed the Deadly Pharmacist Program, can I get recognition of this training towards my program?

Yes, learners who have already completed Deadly Pharmacist Program do not need to repeat the training but must provide evidence of completion.

Workshop and assessment delivery

Where and when will the face-to-face workshops and assessments be held?

PSA intends to deliver the face-to-face clinical skills workshops and assessments in each capital city at least yearly, with additional workshops and assessments held subject to demand.

What is my expected time commitment?

Prescribing Training Program

  • Online modules: Approximately 8 hours per module x 8 modules
  • Case based discussions:  Approximately 16 hours total
  • OSCE: Approx 1.5 hours total

 

Clinical Practice Training Program

  • Online modules:  Approximately 5 hours per module x10 modules
  • Tutorials: 2-2.5 hours each, with 7 tutorials total
  • Face-to-face clinical skills workshop: 3 full days
  • Face-to-face clinical skills assessment: 1 full day
  • Face-to-face OSCE: 1 full day

Payments

Can I pay in instalments/Is there a payment plan option?

No, payment plans are not available for this program. Please reach out to our team if you have any concerns with payment.

Other information

Can pharmacists prescribe under the PBS?

Under the current model, S4 medicines prescribed by pharmacists are not eligible for PBS pricing and will be issued as private prescriptions.

State and Territory relevant information

QLD

How do I claim the Queensland Government subsidy and when will I receive it?

The Australasian College of Pharmacy (ACP) is managing the subsidy. Upon approval of enrolment into the PSA course, the ACP require you to apply for the subsidy and provide evidence of the course enrolment and proof of payment (e.g. invoice).  The subsidy is available until the committed funds are fully allocated and only to students who successfully complete the approved course or courses within 18 months of enrolment. Students will be liable to repay the subsidy should they decide to discontinue their enrolment or do not successfully complete the course or courses.

What evidence do I need to claim the Queensland Government subsidy?

A tax invoice as proof of payment and confirmation of your enrolment into the course. This needs to the submitted to the Australasian College of Pharmacy – Queensland

In the spirit of reconciliation, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. We recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were our first pharmacists.

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