CPC24: PSA announces package of support for credentialed pharmacists
3 May 2024
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has today announced a comprehensive membership package to support credentialed pharmacists through the transition to new credentials, and beyond.
Opening the Credentialed Pharmacist Conference CPC24 in Cairns today, PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS announced the full membership package including dedicated resources and support for credentialed pharmacists, as well as dedicated education opportunities to continue developing practice throughout their careers.
This membership offering comes in addition to the announcement of the MMR recognition of prior learning pathway (pending accreditation by the Australian Pharmacy Council), allowing qualified pharmacists to transition to the new credential by completing a short bridging assessment or providing evidence of prior learning.
PSA Professional Plus members will have access to MMR RPL at no cost, and an exclusive discount on RPL for the aged care credential, which is a requirement to practise in the Aged Care On-site Pharmacist program.
“PSA is and always will be the home of credentialed pharmacists,” Associate Professor Fei Sim said.
“PSA has supported accredited pharmacists – soon to be credentialed pharmacists – from day one, advocating for ongoing HMR and RMMR funding, for lifting of caps on services, and for new, funded roles in aged care.
“When AACP closed, PSA chose to invest – rather than divest – in this part of the profession. We continued the tradition of a dedicated conference for accredited pharmacists, now called the Credentialed Pharmacist Conference. We brought on trusted and talented leaders and built a team at the PSA to continue to deliver good work to support our credentialed pharmacist workforce.
“We established in-house accreditation services, a public directory, and are currently undergoing accreditation of our credentialing process for Medication Management Reviews and Aged Care, which is set to recognise the experience of practising consultant pharmacists. I am happy to again confirm that this process will be free-of-charge for PSA Professional Plus members, making the transition more affordable and accessible.
“Professional Plus members also benefit from free access to PSA’s Aged Care Foundations Course – built by some of Australia’s pioneering aged care pharmacists and covering the essential topics for effective practice in aged care.
“In addition to education, PSA’s support for credentialed pharmacists is also growing, including access to PSA’s regular Clinical Update, which is a must-read that helps keep credentialed pharmacists on top of emerging clinical evidence from around the world, as well as discounts to all PSA conferences, including CPC25.
“PSA’s full suite of support is a testament to our commitment to credentialed pharmacists, unmatched by any other organisation at present. I am proud that PSA continues to be the home for credentialed pharmacists.”
Credentialed pharmacists can read more about the offer and PSA’s credentialing process here.
Media contact: Georgia Clarke M: 0480 099 798 E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au