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PSA launches credentialing program

2 July 2024

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has launched its full suite of credentials today, including pathways for both experienced consultant pharmacists and those looking to expand their practice.

The Medication Management Review (MMR) credential and Aged Care Onsite Pharmacist (ACOP) credential are now open for enrolment. Pharmacists with relevant experience can submit evidence of qualifications and/or practical experience as part of a Recognition of Prior Learning pathway for both the MMR and ACOP credentials.

PSA is currently the only education provider to offer a full suite of products, including both credentials and RPL pathways for both. To continue its support for credentialed pharmacists, PSA is offering the MMR Credential through the RPL pathway free of charge for Professional Plus members.

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said today’s credentialing program launch marks the next milestone in PSA’s package for credentialed pharmacists.

“PSA’s credentialing program is built by pharmacists, for pharmacists,” Associate Professor Fei Sim said. “We are proud to offer a full suite of education and support to our credentialed pharmacist members, from credentialing and all the way through your everyday practice.

“Our support doesn’t stop once you gain your credentials, we are proud to continue supporting you and your practice with regular clinical updates, continued professional development, industry-leading practice support, and the annual Consultant Pharmacist Conference.

“We continue to invest in credentialed and consultant pharmacists, not only through a great membership product and leading training program, but also through our advocacy for the future of comprehensive medication management.

“PSA’s long history of advocating for Medication Management Reviews and Aged Care Onsite Pharmacists does not stop here. We are your voice, we are your peak body.

“PSA is the home of credentialed and consultant pharmacists – issuing the credentials you need to continue in your practice, connecting you with your colleagues, and advocating for the future of the services you provide,” Associate Professor Sim concluded.

Leading consultant pharmacist Adjunct Associate Professor Debbie Rigby FPS welcomed the launch, pointing to PSA’s growing support for credentialed and consultant pharmacists.

“I’m excited to be joining PSA to amplify the voices of consultant pharmacists and the valuable role they play in medication safety and quality use of medicines through multidisciplinary, collaborative care,” Ms Rigby said.

“PSA’s credentials highlight the strong commitment of PSA towards the practice of consultant pharmacy and supporting members to deliver high quality medication management and care.”

PSA’s MMR and ACOP credentials are now open for enrolments. Visit https://www.psa.org.au/career-and-support/credentialed-pharmacists/ for more information. ​

Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

CPC24: Nation-leading advocate Brooke Shelly named Credentialed Pharmacist of the Year

3 May 2024

 

 

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is proud to announce the 2024 PSA MIMS Credentialed Pharmacist of the Year, presented at the PSA’s Credentialed Pharmacist Conference (CPC) in Cairns today.

 

The PSA MIMS Credentialed Pharmacist of the Year award recognises continuing excellence in the practice of credentialed pharmacy, dedication to enhancing the reputation of the profession, the development and implementation of innovative professional services, and the enduring commitment to advancing patient care and improved health outcomes.

 

The 2024 PSA MIMS Credentialed Pharmacist of the Year is Brooke Shelly MPS.

 

Ms Brooke Shelly is a passionate advocate for the practice of consultant pharmacy, and in particular the role of pharmacists in rural general practice. She has a growing reputation as an engaging and passionate speaker at conferences, symposiums and other networking and education events, as well as demonstrating her own passion for life-long learning. Her excellence was recognised as a finalist in the 2023 Victorian Rural Health Awards.

 

Brooke conducts Home Medicines Reviews (HMRs) and is a GP Pharmacist consulting at Ontario Medical Clinic and also has a role as a Clinical Pharmacist at Beyond Pain. She has developed and implemented new multidisciplinary models of care for aged care facilities and chronic disease cycle of care.

 

Brooke’s commitment to supporting the health of her community and all rural Australians is second to none. She is recognised as a leader in this space, being asked to present at the conferences as a role model for general practice pharmacists, especially in rural Australia. This commitment is evidenced by her leading a workshop at CPC24 to support other pharmacists in optimising outcomes from HMRs and embedded quality improvement activities. Brooke also serves the profession on a range of PSA committees, including on the Victorian Branch Committee and the Board of the Pharmaceutical Society of Victoria.

 

Ms Shelly’s broad range of innovative services span across general practice, disability services, aboriginal health services, pain management, telehealth and multidisciplinary team-based care significantly enhances the reputation of credentialed pharmacists. She has a particular focus on rural areas of practice, raising awareness on the scope and work of credentialed pharmacist, within the pharmacist community and general practice. Brooke assists in the training of the GP registrars in the CDM space and enjoys overseeing the PIP QI program, making her an invaluable asset to GPs and general practice. She is incredibly generous in sharing her experiences, challenges and innovative solutions in various pharmacist groups, social media and educational events.

 

Brooke has provided a significant contribution to the development of consultant pharmacy in Australia through her practice in a general practice in a rural area. and as a champion for multidisciplinary care. Brooke is an outstanding role model for pharmacy students, and established and developing practitioners.

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS presented the award to Ms Shelly at CPC24 this afternoon.

 

“Brooke is a trailblazer when it comes to highlighting the roles of credentialed pharmacists in medication management reviews wherever medicines are used. Brooke’s leadership and contribution has had widespread, systemic impact.,” A/Prof Sim said.

 

“Brooke is a leading national voice for this workforce, where she continues to make significant contributions to the development of credentialed pharmacy through her own practice and as a mentor and facilitator of discussions and support.

 

“Over the years, Brooke has been as a strong advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration. Brooke actively facilitates and demonstrates how pharmacists can and should form a critical part of a multidisciplinary team. It is also through her work in this space that she has been able to garner the support and recognition of other health professionals.

 

“On behalf of the PSA and the profession, I congratulate the 2024 PSA MIMS Credentialed Pharmacist of the Year Brooke Shelly and thank her for her ongoing commitment to the development of credentialed pharmacists across Australia.”

 

PSA also acknowledges the ongoing support of MIMS Australia and New Zealand, and particularly their CEO and Board Director Robert Best, for sponsoring this award and their ongoing support of the PSA.

 

 

 

 

Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

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

MRNs extended for credentialing transition

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the extension of Medication Review Numbers (MRNs) to support credentialed pharmacists to continue providing MMR services during the transition to a new credentialing system.

The extension was announced today by the Department of Health and Aged Care Assistant Secretary – Pharmacy Branch, David Laffan, in an email to credentialed pharmacists. The move gives pharmacists 12 months to transition to a new credential, including a Medication Management Review (MMR) credential, and an Aged Care credential.

PSA is set to offer both MMR and Aged Care credentials, as well as offer a pathway for recognition of prior learning to recognise the experience of practising credentialed pharmacists in line with the Accreditation Standards for MMR and Aged Care On-site Pharmacist education programs | Australian Pharmacy Council.

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS said that PSA’s priority and commitment to workforce development have not changed.

“We have been in discussions with the Department for some time to ensure that transition arrangements are in place to minimise disruption to patient services and allow the existing workforce to continue providing MMR services in the immediate term.

“I’m pleased to see action from the Department to allow these services to continue.

A/Prof Sim said that PSA’s credentialing program, which is pending accreditation with the Australian Pharmacy Council, is set to feature ongoing support for credentialed pharmacists and those seeking credentials.

“PSA continues to approach this fast-moving practice area with the intent to support our workforce, and to ensure that the credentialing and recredentialing process is achievable and affordable.

“All pharmacists who have already undergone credentialing will be able to apply for PSA’s recognition of prior learning as part of the new credentialing process.

“PSA is proud to offer further support to members, including offering the new MMR credential to currently credentialed pharmacists with recognition of prior learning at no cost for Professional Plus members.

“This is part of our ongoing support for this workforce, solidifying our place as the home for credentialed pharmacists.”

Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au

Thank Your Pharmacist today, more than ever

21 March 2024

Today the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) marks Thank Your Pharmacist Day, celebrating the ongoing commitment and dedication of pharmacists practising across our health system.

This year’s Thank Your Pharmacist Day theme is More than ever.

The theme acknowledges the increasing role of pharmacists across Australia’s community pharmacy network, hospitals, general practices, aged care facilities and in a diverse range of specialised practice areas.

Pharmacists are more important to the health of Australians than ever before, everywhere that medicines are used.

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS encouraged all Australians to say thanks to their local pharmacist today.

“Today is an opportunity for all Australians to say thank you,” A/Prof Sim says.

“Every single Australian has benefitted from the expertise of pharmacists, whether directly or indirectly, in a pharmacy or in one of many other health settings that pharmacist advice is available in.

“More than ever, pharmacists across the country are providing medicines ensuring that Australians have access to essential care.

“More than ever, pharmacists are providing more acute common ailments management and chronic disease management services.

“More than ever, pharmacists are providing more complex medication management reviews and being embedded in more settings where medicines are used.

“More than ever, hospital pharmacists are championing the safe and effective use of medicines from inpatient bedsides to emergency departments and outpatient clinics.

“More than ever, industrial pharmacists are developing new technologies to meet the growing health needs not only of Australians, but of people right around the world.

“Pharmacists, more than ever, are actively helping to improve patient’s access to care and quality use of medicines and medicine safety.

“To every pharmacist – wherever you practise – Australia says thank you.”

​To get involved with this Thank Your Pharmacist Day, downloadable resources are available at www.psa.org.au/thankyourpharmacist

Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au