NAPSA's Intern Guide for 2020 Pharmacy Graduates

THE NATIONAL AUSTRALIAN PHARMACY STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION PRESENTS OUR

INTERNGUIDE for 2020 Pharmacy Graduates

TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements

4

About NAPSA

5

From the Editor

6

8 Pharmacy Regulators and Stakeholders Securing an Internship

12

Seeking an Internship

13

Applying for an Intern Position

16

The Job Interview

20

Accepting the Job O er

23

Becoming a Registered Pharmacist

24

The Pharmacy Board of Australia

25

The Pathway to General Registration

30

Registration Standards and Practice Obligations

31

The Intern Written Exam

36

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS Intern Training Programs

40

PSA ITP

42

NAPE ITP

44

Guild ITP

46

Pharmacy Member Organisations/Associations

48

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA)

50

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA)

52

The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia

54

Professional Indemnity Insurance

58

Pharmaceutical Defence Limited (PDL)

60

Mental Health During Intern Year

62

Advice for Intern Pharmacists

68

After the Intern Year

76

LocumCo

77

NAPSA Alumni Network

79

3

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This Intern Guide was compiled entirely by pharmacy students and interns who have volunteered their time to ensure it is the most up to date source of information relevant to our nal year pharmacy students.

An enormous thank you must go to all the pharmacy boards, organisations, associations and groups who have worked with us and provided essential information for this guide.

I must also acknowledge that this guide would not be possible without the support of the NAPSA board and Advisory Council. Thank you for your ongoing support and contributions.

I would also like to express my gratitude to Publications Chair and recently elected NAPSA President Ethan Kreutzer for your ongoing support and assistance with this publication.

To our readers, I hope that this guide may be of assistance to you as you enter the next stage of your careers as pharmacists. Your experiences

SECURING AN INTERNSHIP

throughout university, your countless hours of study and your perseverance will undoubtedly propel you through your intern year. From NAPSA we wish you the best of luck for your future!

STAY IN TOUCH /NAPSA

@NAPSA_RX

@NAPSA_RX

napsa.org.au

4

ABOUT NAPSA The National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association (NAPSA) is the only national pharmacy student body. NAPSA has local a liated branches, which represent students and interns at all Australian university schools of pharmacy. NAPSA was originally formed in 1948. NAPSA represents the interests of approximately 2000 members whom are undergraduate and postgraduate students studying at seventeen universities across Australia.

NAPSA is run by students for students, and strives to provide many opportunities for its members, like networking and social events.

NAPSA also strives to be the voice of the pharmacy students of Australia in the pharmaceutical industry.

Becoming a NAPSA member is an exceptional supplement to your studies; membership will provide you with skills that will allow you to excel through your career, and you will be given numerous opportunities to make lifelong friendships and connections along the way. If you aren't a member, ask your branch about signing up today!

5

FROM THE EDITOR To the graduating class of 2020!

It is such an incredible achievement to have made it this far into your pharmacy journey, years of university have nally cumulated in you looking down the nal home stretch of your degree. As the sun nally sets on this part of your journey. I hope you can re ect on the amazing time you’ve had at university. The lifelong friends you’ve made along the way, the growth you have achieved and the exciting potential that you can make meaningful and lasting change in society.

However, beyond the lifelong friends you've made this year you belong to an even more important cohort, the graduating cohort of 2020. 2020, perhaps of all years is a year that won't be forgotten.

It is a year that uniquely bonds each and every person in this cohort. A year that represented tough challenges that you and your peers have had to nd the resilience, motivation and courage to push through. A year that has reminded us all of why we picked this profession and why we have chosen to pursue this career.

As you approach this nal stretch and re ect on what your next step may be, we hope that NAPSA has featured prominently. From day one NAPSA has been a part of your pharmacy journey.

Perhaps you attended one of our Congresses, donated blood as part of Vampire Cup, helped your branch raise funds Charity Cup, read the ePlacebo or liked one of our posts on Facebook, we hope that NAPSA as an organisation has enriched your pharmacy student experience.

6

FROM THE EDITOR While this may be the end of your pharmacy degree, it is not long before you will need to determine what your next step is. I have no doubt you have given plenty of thought and conducted plenty of research to navigate this new endeavour. In what might seem like a time of darkness we hope that this publication will be a guiding light for the future of your pharmacy profession.

Enclosed within are the list of steps and requirements that will help you successfully register for and complete your intern year. It also features advice and steps you can take to not only complete your intern year but to get the most out of it.

In the nal stretch I encourage you all to stay involved and make the most of this time. Take care of each other and make the most of being a pharmacy student. As always, NAPSA is here to support you if things go wrong or if you hit a snag in the nal stretch, you can always get in touch!

So good luck for this new journey! I hope that you nd your Intern year to be an exciting challenge and I wish you all the best for your future endeavours!

Xoxo NAPSA love, Erin Cooper NAPSA President 2019/20

7

SECURING AN INTERNSHIP The recruitment process can be lengthy and time consuming, so it is important to consider your internship options early. This section outlines the tools to assist you in constructing your cover letter, résumé and preparing for interviews. However, it should be stressed that many employment opportunities can also be gained through networking within the pharmacy industry, rather than just responding to job advertisements.

This section includes: ▪

Planning your approach to internship hunting

▪

Preparing your résumé and cover letter

▪

Securing and preparing for an interview

▪

Considering the job o er, obtaining advice,

negotiating and signing a contract

12

SEEKING AN INTERNSHIP No matter what your profession is, chances are you will be facing a highly competitive employment market. You should expect there will be a buyers’ market for jobs o ering the best opportunities and that employers can a ord to be choosy. It is estimated that up to 70% of jobs are not actually publicly advertised. Some methods for job seeking include: ▪

Networking

▪

Cold canvassing

▪

Advertisements

▪

University noticeboards

NETWORKING A large proportion of people nd employment through friends or colleagues. Some tips for building your network include: ▪

Creating a list of friends or acquaintances in pharmacy

and where appropriate let them know you are looking for an internship ▪

Contacting past members and alumni of NAPSA/ your

local branch ▪

Attending association conferences and seminars

▪

Build relationships with lecturers and industry contacts

13

SEEKING AN INTERNSHIP COLD-CANVASSING Cold-canvassing involves approaching potential employers in which you are interested in working for, who may not have advertised a job vacancy. This will allow you to nd out whether there are positions available. It is important to do some research on your potential employer and consider where you might t into their organisation. Make sure you contact the person who has the power to hire you.

Methods for canvassing include: ●

Dropping in a cover letter and résumé to a store

●

Phone call

You may wish to try a number of di erent approaches. Try one method rst, gather some feedback and modify your approach until you nd one that works for you. It is a good idea to treat this type of introduction as you would when networking. It is unlikely you will be o ered a job on the spot, but your details will be placed on le so that they can contact you in the future.

14

SEEKING AN INTERNSHIP SOCIAL MEDIA / INTERNET / NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENTS Check the employment section of your local newspaper, or online job-search databases such as www.seek.com.au or www.indeed.com.au Internship opportunities are often posted on a pharmacy's social media site or in pharmacy Facebook groups, this is where the profession is most engaged so don't disregard these advertisements.

Still unsure of where to look? LocumCo have created a platform that allows you to input your details and. match you with potential. preceptors, check it out at https://locumco.com.au/intern-jobs-registration/

UNIVERSITY ADVERTISEMENTS

Your university should have a departmental noticeboard in which many pharmacies will advertise for pharmacy student positions or pre-registration employment.

Some schools of pharmacy are converting to online notice boards for employment information so investigate what is the most used option for your school.

15

APPLYING FOR AN INTERN POSITION A cover letter and a résumé are di erent documents which serve distinct purposes in your application. While the purpose of your cover letter is to highlight the extent to which your abilities match the job requirements for a speci c company and how you will t into the pharmacy’s culture, your résumé summarises your positive past experiences and achievements as well as highlighting your most relevant characteristics.

It is important that you ‘do your homework’ and speci c job/company research before writing your application. Be sure to include your quali cations, skills, training and personal qualities required for the job you are applying for and how these relate to the position.

16

APPLYING FOR AN INTERN POSITION COVER LETTER A cover letter introduces you to your prospective employer. It is extremely important to make a good rst impression and stimulate interest in your attached résumé. The cover letter should highlight your strengths and enthusiasm for the position.

Some tips for writing a good cover letter include: ▪

Keep it short (Maximum of one page)

▪

Find out who to send the letter to by name and correct title

▪

Clearly state the position for which you are applying, and where you

saw it advertised (if applicable)

▪ Demonstrate how you meet the speci c requirements of the position ▪

Mention any attributes that set you apart from other applicants (eg

academic results, relevant work experience etc) ▪

If particular attributes are stated in an advertisement, state how you

meet these criteria ▪

Give examples from your academic or work experience that

demonstrate your skills ▪

Invite a response

▪

State a keenness to attend an interview or desire to take your

application further ▪

Make sure your letter is completely error free

Some DON'Ts for cover letters ▪

Use long narratives about your life experience

▪

Present handwritten letters or corrections

▪

Forget to state your address and phone numbers

▪

Use coloured paper

17

APPLYING FOR AN INTERN POSITION RÉSUMÉ Your résumé can be the rst impression you make – so make it a good one. Try to put yourself in the reader’s position and ensure you communicate clearly and succinctly. The reader is likely to be someone who has limited time. Keep the layout simple and clear, ensure correct grammar and spelling and make it easy to read. The ideal length should be between 2 and 4 pages.

A résumé is commonly set out chronologically using headings such as: 1.

Personal Details

2.

Education

3.

Employment History (most recent position rst)

4.

Skills and Quali cations

5.

Extracurricular Activities

6.

Personal Interests

7.

Referees

18

APPLYING FOR AN INTERN POSITION RÉSUMÉ Some tips for writing a good résumé ▪

Present it professionally

▪

Be consistent

▪

Be concise

▪

Set it out in a logical easy to follow format

▪

Start with an active verb when describing responsibilities or

achievements (eg ‘developed’, ‘implemented’ etc) ▪

Be accurate, and include dates and years where appropriate

▪

Mention professional associations (eg: NAPSA), including any

positions held, interests or activities ▪

Mention personal successes such as awards, prizes and scholarships

▪

Include hobbies or community interests

▪

Include details of referees

o Be sure to arrange this with your referee prior o Ensure you inform your referees of positions you have applied for ▪

Always be prepared to ‘ ne tune’ your résumé for each application

▪

Make sure your résumé is error free

Some DON'Ts for a résumé ▪

Staple or bind your résumé – the reader may want to make copies

▪

Use handwritten résumés

▪

Leave out your address or phone numbers

▪

Use coloured paper

19

THE JOB INTERVIEW Interviews are one of the most important aspects of the application process when applying for a job. Employers use the interview as a method to assess and gauge you as a person something that they cannot do from merely looking at your résumé. The most important thing to keep in mind is to be prepared. This involves knowing your skills, experiences and the job you're applying for, but not necessarily memorising answers.

By memorising answers, you are hindering your ability to answer the interview questions in a real and genuine way.

PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW Here are a few keys things you must know and think about before entering an interview ▪

Know the exact time and place of the interview, the interviewer’s full

name, correct pronunciation and his/her title ▪

Dress professionally and pay attention to your grooming

▪ Know your résumé. Have an answer prepared for any weaknesses, such as leaving another job, failing a course, or changing subjects during the semester.

▪

Know your strengths, achievements, interests and values

▪

Know about the position you are applying for. Look at the

company/employer’s website, talk to past and current employees

▪

Think of possible questions to ask the interviewer. They want to

know that you are engaged and are actually interested in working for them

20

THE JOB INTERVIEW DURING THE INTERVIEW The interview, and how well it goes, all comes down to your performance.

How well you perform will be based on your delivery as well as the content of your interview.

Things to DO in an interview ▪

Speak concisely

▪

If asked about your weaknesses, try to turn them into strengths by

demonstrating how your weaknesses/experiences have shaped you, or by presenting them in a positive light ▪

Be honest and humble. Do not talk yourself up too much

▪

Be con dent and calm

▪

Get settled into the interview and try to relax as soon as possible

▪

Be a good listener and look the speaker in the eye when they are

speaking to you so that they know you are paying attention Things NOT to do in an interview ▪

Do not ramble and do not mumble or speak too quickly

▪

Try not to appear too tense or ill at ease

▪

When using examples make sure they are of a professional nature,

rather than social ▪

Do not be negative about yourself or others

▪

Make sure you are con dent but not aggressive

▪

If they question something on your résumé or academic transcript

do not become overly defensive

21

THE JOB INTERVIEW POSSIBLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS Typical questions asked at an interview ▪

What led you to choose this career?

▪

What have you learned from some of the jobs you have had?

▪

How do you think your previous work experience will prepare you for this job?

▪

Why do you want this job?

▪

What skills can you bring to this position?

▪

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

▪

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

▪

Why do you want to work for us?

▪

What do you do in your spare time?

▪

Can you describe a situation where you successfully resolved a con ict?

Questions to ask an Interviewer ▪

A detailed description of the position

▪

Anticipated induction and training program

▪

How will your work be supervised and appraised

▪

What sort of people have done well in the position

▪

Potential for progression and development

▪

Interview process and position start date

When closing the interview if you are interested ask what the next steps will be, thank the interviewer for their time and consideration of you.

22

ACCEPTING THE JOB OFFER If you have been nominated as the successful candidate, the employer will make an o er directly to you. When o ered the position, maintain your enthusiasm but respond in a professional, business-like fashion. Where there are matters that require negotiation with the employer, do so in a pleasant, sensible, non-confrontational manner.

You may be requested to sign the letter of appointment and/or employment contract and return it. Ensure the terms and conditions match those outlined in the interview and that you can meet these conditions, and seek clari cation if you do not understand, or feel that something has changed Missing Out A negative result may also be conveyed either verbally or in writing. This may take longer than a positive result as employers and agencies are reluctant to advise such results until de nite decisions have been reached. They may o er feedback and/or advice as to why you were unsuccessful on this occasion.

Review It is useful to review your performance against any feedback to improve your performance for next time. With experience you may discover areas that need attention.

Remember the recruitment process takes time – so start your job searching early, work at it consistently and always maintain a positive attitude.

23

BECOMING A REGISTERED PHARMACIST National Registration of Pharmacists The Pharmacy Board of Australia (the Board) is responsible for registering pharmacists and students and for setting the registration standards, codes and guidelines that pharmacists must meet.

Under the National Scheme, all pharmacists across Australia have had to meet the same registration requirements and became registered to practise in all states and territories.

24

THE PHARMACY BOARD OF AUSTRALIA No shortcuts to becoming a registered pharmacist The Pharmacy Board of Australia understands that as a pharmacy graduate you are probably keen to start practising as soon as possible, but there are no shortcuts to getting registered.

There are currently over 32,000 pharmacists regulated under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (the National Scheme). Each is registered with the Pharmacy Board of Australia.

The Board was established under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, as in force in each state and territory (the National Law). It works in partnership with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) to implement the National Scheme, which regulates 16 health professions.

The Pharmacy Board’s functions include: •

registering pharmacists and students

•

developing registration standards, codes and guidelines for the pharmacy

profession •

handling noti cations, complaints, investigations and disciplinary hearings

•

assessing overseas-trained practitioners who wish to practise in Australia, and

•

approving accreditation standards and accredited courses of study.

25

THE PHARMACY BOARD OF AUSTRALIA The primary purpose of the Board in delivering these functions is to protect the public.

“We know graduates are keen to start their careers in pharmacy as soon as they can, but it is our role to ensure that only suitably trained and quali ed pharmacists are registered. This starts with registering students enrolled in an approved program of study that leads to registration as a pharmacist with the Board.” Board Chair, Brett Simmonds An approved program of study is a pharmacy degree program that has been accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council (www.pharmacycouncil.org.au) and approved by the Board as providing a quali cation suitable for general registration.

“If you’re a student enrolled in an approved program of study you don’t need to apply for student registration.

“Education providers give us your details for registration. There are no fees and the Student Register can’t be accessed like the Register of Practitioners. You must have student registration while studying because you will have contact with members of the public, such as during your pharmacy program clinical placements.” - Board Chair, Brett Simmonds

26

THE PHARMACY BOARD OF AUSTRALIA After completing an approved pharmacy program, as a graduate you must complete a period of supervised practice while having provisional registration before being eligible to apply for general registration.

To gain provisional registration, you will need to provide evidence of successful completion of an approved pharmacy program and demonstrate that you meet the requirements of the Board’s registration standard for English language skills.

Another requirement is to declare any criminal history.

A graduate with provisional registration must complete the required period of supervised practice (internship) as set out in the Board’s registration standard for supervised practice arrangements.

“Before you can start counting your hours you must hold provisional registration and have your supervised practice arrangements approved by the Board. You must also have professional indemnity insurance.” - Board Chair, Brett Simmonds A provisionally registered pharmacist’s details (including the details of approved supervised practice) are included on the national register of practitioners which is published on AHPRA’s website at www.ahpra.gov.au. If their registration has conditions, these may appear on the online register.

27

THE PHARMACY BOARD OF AUSTRALIA An intern training program must also be successfully completed, and the registration examinations must be passed to be eligible to apply for general registration at the end of the required period of supervised practice.

The Board has developed and published codes and guidelines to provide guidance to pharmacists. It can use these in any disciplinary proceedings under the National Law along with the relevant legislation, competency standards and professional practice standards and guidelines.

Students, but more importantly interns, need to become familiar with the following Board codes and guidelines including: •

Code of conduct for pharmacists

•

Guidelines on compounding of medicines

•

Guidelines on continuing professional development

•

Guidelines for dispensing of medicines

•

Guidelines on practice-speci c issues

•

Guidelines for proprietor pharmacists

•

Guidelines on dose administration aids and staged supply of dispensed

medicines •

Guidelines for mandatory noti cations

•

Guidelines for advertising regulated health services.

28

THE PHARMACY BOARD OF AUSTRALIA You must also meet the Board’s mandatory registration standards and not just when you apply for initial registration but when you renew registration every year.

To maintain general registration, the standards you must meet include: •

Criminal history

•

Continuing professional development (CPD)

•

Recency of practice, and

•

Professional indemnity insurance arrangements.

“By complying with the Board’s registration standards, codes and guidelines, and the practice standards and codes of ethics published by the pharmacy profession, you will ensure that you meet the public’s expectations in delivering important and valuable pharmacy services to the public.” - Board Chair, Brett Simmonds To learn more about the Board and how to apply for registration, watch the Board’s short video for students and graduates available in the Internships section of the website at www.pharmacyboard.gov.au.

Brett. Simmonds, Chair Pharmacy Board of Australia

29

THE PATHWAY TO GENERAL REGISTRATION

30

REGISTRATION STANDARDS AND PRACTITIONER OBLIGATIONS The Board sets the mandatory registration standards that all registered pharmacists must meet.

Every pharmacist has an obligation under the National Law, to meet the Board’s requirements as outlined in the registration standards. The standards are reviewed regularly by the Board, so it’s important to stay up to date with the current requirements.

Not all standards apply to a pharmacy graduate making an application for provisional registration. You should read the standards before applying for provisional registration to ensure you understand the requirements. If you are an intern, then you must make sure you are aware of the registration standards requirements before applying for general registration.

Once gaining general registration, all pharmacists must meet the Board’s ve core standards and make annual declarations about their compliance with the standards. To stay registered, pharmacists must renew their registration by 30 November every year.

The Board has also developed and published codes and guidelines to help pharmacists. Under the National Law, these may be used in disciplinary proceedings along with the relevant legislation, competency standards and professional practice standards and guidelines. More information about these obligations is on the Board’s website.

31

REGISTRATION STANDARDS AND PRACTITIONER OBLIGATIONS Registration standards that apply to pharmacy graduates Pharmacy students who complete an approved program of study are eligible to apply for provisional registration. As well as applying for provisional registration, graduates must also lodge a separate application for approval of supervised practice.

Registration standards that are relevant to a new graduate applying for provisional registration are: •

Criminal history

•

English language skills (you will not be required to show you meet this again

when applying for general registration) •

Professional indemnity insurance

•

Supervised practice arrangements, and

•

Examinations for eligibility for general registration.

Registration standards that apply to pharmacists with provisional or general registration All pharmacists must meet the Board’s ve core registration standards for: •

Criminal history

•

English language skills

•

Continuing professional development

•

Recency of practice, and

•

Professional indemnity insurance.

32

REGISTRATION STANDARDS AND PRACTITIONER OBLIGATIONS The impact of COVID-19 During 2020 due to the potential impacts of COVID-19 on interns, the Board made changes to the requirements of supervised practice and registration examinations for general registration.

Updates on these changes were provided on the website, which is another example of why you should regularly check the Board’s website for the most up-todate information on the requirements for provisional and general registration.

Visit the Board’s website to learn more about the requirements The Board has produced a presentation – Pharmacist registration: what you need to know – to help students understand what is involved in the transition from study to a career as a pharmacist and why they must be registered. It includes information to help graduates prepare for making an application for provisional registration and can be found in the Student Registration section of the Board’s website.

The Board has also produced a presentation – From pharmacy student to intern pharmacist – that explains the requirements and responsibilities of graduates seeking provisional registration to complete an internship. This can be found in the Internships section of the Board’s website. The Internships section of the Board’s website also has other useful information and resources such as the Intern pharmacist and preceptor guide, information on the written and oral examinations and how to apply for general registration.

33

REGISTRATION STANDARDS AND PRACTITIONER OBLIGATIONS Things to keep in mind when applying for provisional registration There are THREE key tips to keep in mind when you apply for provisional registration: 1.

Submit your application early 2.

Double check you have provided everything you need to prove that you’ve met the requirements for registration, and 3.

Make sure any copies are certi ed correctly.

Your education provider will submit your graduate results direct to Ahpra but you do not need to wait until you have received your results to complete the rest of your online application for provisional registration.

Make sure you have answered all the questions in the application and declare any health impairment or criminal history. Check the Ahpra website for more information on the registration process and estimated time frames for registration.

More information speci c to graduate applications can also be found on the Ahpra website.

If you have submitted an online application as a graduate of an approved program of study you can check the status of your online application using the search on the Ahpra website.

Your supervised practice hours will begin once your name and details of your approved preceptor and training site appear on the online Register of practitioners.

34

REGISTRATION STANDARDS AND PRACTITIONER OBLIGATIONS Obligations of a registered pharmacist Under the National Law, pharmacists have obligations they must meet in order to be registered and while practising. The infographic below shows the obligations of a registered pharmacist.

Contact for more information Pharmacy Board of Australia For information on registration standards, codes and guidelines visit www.pharmacyboard.gov.au.

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) For information about national regulation, for help with registration enquiries and to access the online register of practitioners visit www.ahpra.gov.au or call 1300 419 495.

35

THE AUSTRALIAN INTERN WRITTEN EXAM The Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) is the authority that accredits pharmacy education and training in Australia and New Zealand on behalf of the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PharmBA) and the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand (PCNZ).

We deliver the Australian Intern Written Examination (IWE) on behalf of the PharmBA. The IWE is designed to assess an intern’s practical pharmacy competency and knowledge

36

INTERN WRITTEN EXAM OVERVIEW You can register to sit the Intern Written Examination if you: • are provisionally registered with the PharmBA, or you were registered in the past • have completed at least 40% of the required supervised practice hours, or will have completed them by the exam date Key dates: see Exam dates and centres Cost: AU$693

PROCESS

Step 1: Read through the Intern Written Examination Information

• Sign into your APC candidate portal account or create a new one • If you're a rst-time user, create an account in our Candidate Portal.

• If you're a returning user, sign in to your account with your username and password.

Step 2: Register for the exam • Once registrations open, sign in to our Candidate Portal.

• Click on 'Book an exam' • Provide your Internship Information • Include support for any special accommodation if required • Selection of venue, date, and time • Complete your registration by making payment online • You will receive a payment receipt and a con rmation email containing your exam appointment details.

37

INTERN WRITTEN EXAM PROCESS Step 3: After you register • Wait for your exam reminder • Prepare for the exam • We o er several resources that will help you prepare to sit the exam.

These include: o an exam guide and sample paper o an online tutorial to show you the exam software Step 4: If you cannot sit your exam and need to cancel refer to the Fee Refund Policy.

Step 5: When you sit the exam • You'll need to show 2 forms of identi cation (ID) to enter the exam room and sit the exam.

• The Intern Written Exam is 'open-book'. This means you can bring: o any printed or hand-written reference materials o anything on the pre-approved 'Comfort Aid' list o any type of calculator Step 6: Sit the exam • You'll have 2 hours to answer 75 questions.

• Of these, 68 are scored questions, and 7 are (pilot) non-scored questions.

• You must complete all 75 questions.

• You need an overall mark of at least 65% to pass the exam. We calculate your mark by dividing the number of questions you answered correctly by the total number of scored questions in the exam.

38

INTERN WRITTEN EXAM PROCESS Content Areas for the Australian Intern Written Exam The IWE covers ve content areas based on the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia 2016.

You will be expected to show a suitable level of skills, experience, knowledge and understanding of the following:

Learn more about what's in the exam in the Intern Written Examination guide.

Step 7: After you sit the exam We'll email you after your results are available. Expect this to be around 2 weeks after the exam. You'll be able to view and download your results from the Candidate Portal.

39

INTERN TRAINING PROGRAM The Board’s Registration standard: Supervised practice arrangements outlines that for graduates of an approved pharmacy program of study, the period of supervised practice must include satisfactory completion of an accredited intern training program.

This also applies to overseas quali ed pharmacists who are required to complete a full internship.

40

INTERN TRAINING PROGRAM The Board has authorised the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) to accredit intern training programs in Australia. A list of the accredited programs is published on the APC website. In addition to applying to the Board for provisional registration and approval of supervised practice, an intern must select an accredited intern training program and lodge an enrolment application with the relevant provider of the program.

In this guide we have information from the following ITPs: - Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) - Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA) - National Alliance for Pharmacy Education (NAPE)

41

PHARMACY MEMBER ORGANISATIONS/ASSOCIATIONS

These organisations are continually working to support the development of the pharmacy profession and securing an exciting future for the next generation of pharmacists.

48

PHARMACY MEMBER ORGANISATIONS/ASSOCIATIONS Becoming a member of an Organisation/Association o ers you exclusive access to local and national networking events and activities to strengthen your professional relationships, share fresh ideas and access the latest industry and education information.

These organisations may: • Provide member support • Advocate for members • Develop practice standards and practice guidelines for the pharmacy profession • Deliver continuing professional development (CPD) for pharmacists • Accredit CPD for pharmacists

Examples of Organisation/Associations in this guide include: - The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) - The Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA) - The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA)

49

THE PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA PSA is the only peak national body for all Australian pharmacists. We are your voice to Government, healthcare professionals and industry to support the important role of pharmacists and the future development of our profession.

We support your career through the development of new opportunities for pharmacists. As the only organisation that represents all pharmacists in all practice settings, we support you in your chosen pharmacy career path.

Our vision is to improve Australia’s health through excellence in pharmacist care. As a member-based organisation, we are committed to championing pharmacy practice by recognising the unique skills and expertise of pharmacists, and positioning pharmacists as key players in all parts of the health system, particularly through innovative models of practice.

50

THE PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA Our role is to assist and guide you through the transition from student to competent pharmacist by encouraging participation, mentoring and continuing education as a basis of life - long learning. We are the bridge between university and working as a pharmacist, providing you with the resources and skills you need to apply your knowledge in the real world to set yourself up for success.

Take advantage of the largest online pharmacist forum in Australia. The Early Career Pharmacist Facebook group will connect you with students, interns and pharmacists from all settings to:

•Chat with experienced pharmacists from all around Australia.

•Share knowledge and common questions that arise in any pharmacists work setting •Get insights on the profession from pharmacists that are currently practicing •Stay informed with the latest information in pharmacy What are you waiting for? Take your Internship to the Next Level

51

THE PHARMACY GUILD OF AUSTRALIA

THE SOCIETY OF HOSPITAL PHARMACISTS OF AUSTRALIA GRADUATING THIS YEAR? CONSIDER A HOSPITAL PHARMACY INTERNSHIP! What is the role of a hospital pharmacist?

Comprising more than 20% of Australia’s total pharmacy workforce, hospital pharmacists are experts in medicines who work as part of multidisciplinary healthcare teams to manage the use of medicines in hospitals. Hospital pharmacists are embedded into medical wards and units and provide clinical pharmacy services to patients at the bedside.

SHPA members are progressive advocates for clinical excellence, committed to evidence-based practice and passionate about patient care, and lead the pharmacy departments in 75% of Australia’s public and private hospitals.

Find out more about hospital pharmacy and SHPA Why undertake a hospital pharmacy internship?

A hospital pharmacy internship o ers you the opportunity to kick-start your career by gaining the grounding and skills you need to enhance your practice. Through an internship you’ll gain on-the-job training at hospitals, learning how to: •undertake medication history interviews and detailed medication management reviews •provide medicines information at all points of contact with the healthcare system •interpret clinical laboratory results and make medicines recommendations •work in specialised units, eg emergency, intensive/coronary care, aged care, medical/surgical, oncology, paediatrics •work in multidisciplinary teams with doctors, nurses, and other health professionals.

THE SOCIETY OF HOSPITAL PHARMACISTS OF AUSTRALIA Finding the right hospital pharmacy internship Internships vary by state as well as by private / public hospital systems.

Upon graduation you should enrol in an accredited internship as part of your supervised practice requirements so you can obtain full pharmacist registration.

Intern position are advertised on hospitals’ and state health services websites [ACT Health Jobs; NSW Health Jobs; NT Health Jobs; QLD Health Jobs; SA Health Jobs; Tasmanian Government Careers; Vic Careers], Seek, and on SHPA’s Jobs Board.

Tune into the following SHPA webinar recordings to hear directly from SHPA sta and graduates about how to secure an internship that’s right for you.

•Webinar: Victorian Hospital Pharmacy Internship Information webinar for students (11 June 2020) •Webinar: How to get a job in hospital pharmacy (ACT Branch, 9 June 2020) •Webinar: How to get that hospital pharmacy job! (WA Branch, 24 March 2020) The following guides, prepared by SHPA’s NSW and WA Branches, include comprehensive information about those states’ hospitals, and well as valuable guides on preparing your intern application.

•Guide: Students’ Guide to Hospital Pharmacy Internships in NSW •Guide: Students’ Guide to Hospital Pharmacy Internships in WA

55

THE SOCIETY OF HOSPITAL PHARMACISTS OF AUSTRALIA WHAT NEXT? GET AHEAD WITH AN SHPA FOUNDATION RESIDENCY! Why undertake a Foundation Residency?

Pharmacists who integrate earlier into real-world hospital environments gain the skills and adaptability to strengthen and diversify their career paths.

SHPA Residency Program is Australia’s rst and only structured, formalised, supported and accredited national pharmacy residency program for early career pharmacists. Currently there are close to 200 registered Foundation Residents across 37 accredited hospital sites across Australia.

Over two years of professional development, a Foundation Residency o ers you: •practice-based experiential training, targeted at early career pharmacists, or pharmacists entering hospital pharmacy practice via other pharmacy environments •pharmacist practitioner development towards competence and performance, aligned with Stage 1 (Transition Level) of the Australian Advanced Pharmacy Practice Framework •an important springboard to other professional development pathways, such as advancing practice recognition.

56

THE SOCIETY OF HOSPITAL PHARMACISTS OF AUSTRALIA How do I become a Foundation Resident?

Your rst step is to obtain a position in an accredited Foundation Residency site. Some sites advertise Residency positions speci cally, while others appoint Residents from a pool of existing sta members.

Check the SHPA Jobs Board for relevant positions. SHPA does not allocate or appoint Residents.

Once you gain Foundation Residency, register with SHPA to gain access to a suite of resources and tools through our Residency Program Hub. Read about the experiences and achievements of 2019 SHPA Resident of the Year Jacinta Castello (Vic) and our ve national nalists: Luke Harb (NSW), Sophie Mokrzecki (Qld), Jenny Nguy (WA), Lisa Rathjen (SA/NT) and Louise Rix (ACT).

2019 Resident of the Year Jacinta Castello, receiving her award at SHPA’s national conference Medicines Management 2019 on the Gold Coast last year.

57

PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE Pharmaceutical Defence Limited provides Professional Liabilities Insurance cover for Interns and Pharmacists The PI policy provided by PDL covers everything in the scope of pharmacy and meets requirements for pharmacist registration as set by the Pharmacy Board of Australia.

58

PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS Interns with provisional registration are required to maintain the approved level of individual professional indemnity insurance (PII) cover while practising and in accordance with the terms and conditions set under the Board’s registration standard.

Interns may take out their own insurance cover or may be covered by insurance cover provided through employment arrangements.

In the latter case, interns must con rm with their employer that they are covered by the employer’s insurance policy. However, this will not cover practice that is outside of the workplace and/or the employment arrangements.

59

MENTAL HEALTH DURING THE INTERN YEAR

The intern year is an amazing time as you start to put your academic knowledge into practice in a clinical environment, whether that be in a community pharmacy or in hospital pharmacy practice. You will also be on a very steep learning curve, especially early in the 12 month period. The intern year can also be very challenging as you will be working full time, studying and facing the exams that you need to pass to become a registered pharmacist.

62

THE PHARMACISTS' SUPPORT SERVICE The Pharmacists’ Support Service (PSS) provides support to all pharmacists, pharmacy interns and students in Australia including overseas trained pharmacy graduates seeking registration in Australia.

PSS is available every day of the year from 8.00 am to 11.00 pm AEST on phone number 1300244910. The phone is answered by volunteer pharmacists and retired pharmacists who have all undertaken extra training to be able to provide support over the phone to their pharmacy colleagues. You can call the PSS about any concern particularly any matter that is causing you stress and we will listen and support you.

When you call you do not have to provide your name and can remain anonymous, your call is con dential.

PSS is not set up to provide drug information or to answer clinical questions but we will guide you to sources to nd this information. More information about PSS and useful resources for the pharmacy profession are available from the PSS website www.supportforpharmacists.org.au.

Internship – an amazing but challenging year The intern year is an amazing time as you start to put your academic knowledge into practice in a clinical environment, whether that be in a community pharmacy or in hospital pharmacy practice. You will also be on a very steep learning curve, especially early in the 12 month period.

The intern year can also be very challenging as you will be working full time, studying and facing the exams that you need to pass to become a registered pharmacist.

During the intern year it is really important to have a supportive network of people you can talk to. This may include your family, your friends from university, a romantic partner, friends outside pharmacy, team-mates from your sporting club and work colleagues. These need to be people you can turn to when life is challenging and who will support and encourage you. In addition, PSS is here to support you as we understand the pharmacy environment and your call to us will be con dential and anonymous.

63

THE PHARMACISTS' SUPPORT SERVICE Workplace relationships are important You will be spending a lot of time with your work colleagues so having a friendly manner and doing your best to get along with all sta in the workplace, whatever their role, is important. It is good to nd someone at work you get on with and who you can talk to. If this is your preceptor that is great but it may be another pharmacist or a pharmacy technician or assistant. When you are having a bad day it is helpful to have someone in your workplace to talk to. A supportive workplace colleague can help you keep events in perspective and guide you when you experience challenges.

Most workplaces are supportive and pleasant but not all. It can be very hard to learn and develop new skills and knowledge in a workplace with a bad atmosphere among sta members as you will feel on edge and will not be able to focus on what you are doing. This will also increase the likelihood that you will make mistakes. Good relationships between sta contribute to patient safety. Good communication and teamwork are a critical aspect of safety, e ciency and good patient outcomes.

If you are experiencing abuse, bullying behaviour or sexual harassment in the workplace this is not acceptable and you need to seek assistance and advice. Be aware of any workplace policies and how to report this behaviour.

PSS is available to discuss any concerns you have about workplace relationships.

64

THE PHARMACISTS' SUPPORT SERVICE Dealing with the public and healthcare professionals In most roles in pharmacy we spend a lot of time communicating with members of the public and other healthcare professionals such as nurses and doctors. This can be a very satisfying aspect of our work but also challenging and stressful. Our communication skills need to be excellent as we encounter a wide variety of people with varying levels of understanding about medications, our role and the healthcare system.

Often we deal with people who are stressed, emotional or unwell. During your intern year you will encounter people who may be di cult, unpleasant, angry or even abusive. This can be very distressing.

Some tips for managing an angry or abusive person: •Stay calm and take a few slow deep breaths. Never respond in anger, remain polite but rm. This can be very hard to do.

•Listen to what the person is saying, focusing on the actual issue (rather than any insults) and ask questions to clarify.

•Show that you understand by re ecting back in your own words what the issue is.

•Acknowledge what has upset them “I understand that you are upset because....”

•You can apologise without admitting any fault “I am sorry that this has happened” •O er some options to resolve the issue and explain what you can do.

•Keep any explanation simple.

•Remember that many things we take for granted in pharmacy may not be something they expect.

65

THE PHARMACISTS' SUPPORT SERVICE Dealing with the public and healthcare professionals Some tips for managing an angry or abusive person: •If an error has been made explain what you will do to prevent it happening again.

•If someone continues to be abusive you can be assertive by saying something like “When you use those words I nd it hard to focus on what you are trying to tell me.” Or “When you shout I nd it hard to understand what you are saying.”

•As an intern, involve a senior member of the pharmacy sta in a di cult encounter.

•The pharmacist in charge can ask a member of the public to leave and come back when they are calm.

•You have the right to be safe in your workplace. Some pharmacies have a sign indicating that abuse will not be tolerated. Members of the public can be banned from a pharmacy by arranging an intervention order through the police.

After a di cult encounter with another person it is often helpful to debrief with a colleague. PSS is also available to discuss a challenging encounter, especially if you feel very distressed. Writing your own re ection on what went well and what did not go well can also be helpful.

66

THE PHARMACISTS' SUPPORT SERVICE General well-being tips for the intern year and your future career •Take regular breaks throughout your work day.

•Vary the tasks you are doing to aid concentration.

•Avoid excessive hours of work as you will be more prone to making errors.

•Consume healthy snacks and plenty of water throughout your day.

•Have a regular exercise routine and spend time outdoors.

•Take regular holidays and breaks from work throughout the year.

•Practice relaxation techniques and ensure you have enough sleep.

•Be kind to yourself, remember you are human, do your best but avoid perfectionism.

•Consume alcohol only in moderation.

•Don’t be tempted to self-medicate or experiment with drugs.

•Have your own General Practitioner and see them regularly for checkups.

•Have an annual in uenza vaccination, use hand sanitiser and stay home if you are unwell.

•Keep learning and challenging yourself to maintain your passion.

•Enjoy what you do, laugh lots and have fun.

•Have your own personal support network.

•PSS is available if you need to call.

67

ADVICE FOR INTERN PHARMACISTS NAPSA put a call out to Early Career Pharmacists (ECPs) and Preceptors to collate advice for our nal year pharmacy students to assist in the transition from student to intern.

Questions asked included: - What is your best piece of advice for new interns?

- What do you wish you knew before starting your intern year?

- What do you look for in an intern?

-What makes an intern stand out?

68

ADVICE FROM EARLY CAREER PHARMACISTS

What is your best piece of advice for new interns?

Be prepared for a year of learning and making lots of mistakes (so you can learn from them as you’re supervised), but also at the end of the year start trying to work independently - Cathy, Hospital Intern 2018 Leave yourself plenty of time to play hard not just work hard. Intern year is amongst the most stressful of your life around exam time. Spending too much time in the books won’t do your exam prep or mental heath any good.

Make sure you leverage the knowledge of all the pharmacists your work with not just your preceptor. Speak to as many as you can and pick up things that work for you. Your method of checking a script may di er from someone else’s depending on what is comfortable with you.

And don’t rush anything!

- Dillon, Hospital Intern 2019 Be proactive, engage with the pharmacists you work with, show curiosity and ask lots of questions

- Kimia, Community Pharmacy Intern 2019

Remember why you chose to be a pharmacist. There are times that you will encounter di cult situations and people but you will do well to remember we exist to serve patients' holistic health.

- Jenny, Community Pharmacy Intern 2020 Ask questions, throw yourself at any learning/teaching experience you can, - Maddie, Hospital Intern 2016 be engaged!

69

ADVICE FROM EARLY CAREER PHARMACISTS

What do you wish you knew before starting your intern year?

How big of a change it is, I was sort of used to being in pharmacy but not at all used to people actually asking me questions, suddenly it's quite scary to know that people are relying on your knowledge - Mahala, Community Pharmacy Intern 2020 It’s exhausting! Full time work plus study as well is a lot to deal with.

- Chloe, Community Pharmacy Intern 2019 That it's only the beginning. Yes, even if you get it in the sector or employer you want to be in or with, there's no guarantee you'll be kept on afterwards. So make the most of it, don't get complacent

- Gladys, Community and Hospital Intern 2010 No pharmacist is an island. Don't wait for your breakdown to happen before you say 'I'm not ok'. They tell you the intern year is hard. That is not to place fear in you, that's because it is hard. It's all possible, even likely that you will be successful, but don't just go "OK, OK, OK, nope not OK". If you need help seek it, ask for it, nd it, get it. It's a hard year but you are not alone.

- Anon, Community and Hospital Intern 2019 Your preceptor makes a big di erence. I was fortunate to have great mentors and recommend that is what you look for in an internship.

- Ramesh, Community Pharmacy Intern 2010

70

ADVICE FROM EARLY CAREER PHARMACISTS

If you could go back is there anything you wish you could have changed?

To enjoy the year more - we are given so many opportunities as interns, for research and shadowing experienced pharmacists and engaging with multidisciplinary teams and patients, that we then have to go out and nd ourselves as pharmacists - so take advantage of the opportunities, and try not to stress too much about the little things!

- Maddie, Hospital Intern 2016 Nothing, as everything that happened had a reason and made me a better pharmacist in the end - Cathy, Hospital Intern 2018

When I did my internship, I had to complete 2000 hours which made it di cult to take breaks. Now with the 1824 hour requirement, I highly recommend you take regular breaks so that you do not get burnt out. Also know the signs of burn out so you can identify when you have hit your limits.

- Ramesh, Community Pharmacy Intern 2010 No. The path we follow leads us to the path we are on.

- Anon, Community and Hospital Intern 2019 I probably would try to study more consistently throughout the year for the oral exam.

- Jenny, Community Pharmacy Intern 2020

71

ADVICE FROM PRECEPTORS

What do you look for in an intern?

Good communication skills, willingness to learn, ability to work in a team e ectively -Katie, Community Pharmacy The ability to problem solve, be self directed, ask questions, be curious, want to help the people you serve, be exible, recognize that menial tasks serve a greater purpose

- Campbell, Community Pharmacy A good attitude, passion and excitement for the profession, ability to take on feedback and willingness to learn anything and everything, someone who takes initiative and accountability

- Angelica, Community Pharmacy Enthusiasm and passion for the profession, someone who asks great questions, someone who wants to work where there is greatest impact - in rural communities, great communicators - Taren, Community Pharmacy Good workplace attitude and willingness to learn

- Pyae Pyae, Community Pharmacy The ability to learn and show initiative in their role, but most importantly strong communications skills with the ability to engage with people.

- Matthew, Community Pharmacy

72

ADVICE FROM PRECEPTORS

What makes an intern stand out?

An ability to continue to strive to be better. The intern year is hard and there are so many times that you’re going to be faced with really challenging situations, so you need a lot of resilience. Also, this is the year where you’re supported by your preceptor and other colleagues when you make those mistakes. A standout intern will have the ability to get the whole team and community on side. In my eyes, you may only be in this community for a short while and you need to be able to gain respect and build rapport very quickly, so anyone who can do that stands out.

- Angelica, Community Pharmacy Great attitude to learn and do whatever job is asked of them. Con dence to ask for more jobs or roles, and to keep going despite any slip ups.

- Neil, Community Pharmacy A good intern know their drug knowledge, know how to ask good questions and know where to nd answers.

Also problem solving skills are essential in pharmacy and healthcare. Know how to look for the solution when facing challenges.

Always put patient care rst and foremost!

- Nhan, Hospital Pharmacy Initiative! An intern who goes out of their way to learn more and apply is worth their weight in gold. Having someone who can also display those aforementioned communications skills is what I believe essential to both their success as an intern and ultimately as a pharmacist out on their own!

- Matthew, Community Pharmacy Experience, people skills, bubbly personality

- Jill, Community Pharmacy Great communication, a big smile, inquisitive nature to look for answers in an evidence base, a willingness to improve the patient, community and business outcomes

- Taren, Community Pharmacy

73

ADVICE FROM PRECEPTORS

What is your best piece of advice for new interns?

Ask, ask, ask! You will learn more in your intern year than the last several years of university. This is your chance to really clarify anything you feel you should know for your role. The intern year is a great opportunity to learn and engage customers with the safety net of your preceptor to watch and guide you. After the intern year you’re on your own and often times without another pharmacist to help you through. So try your best in the last 6 months to be as independent as possible, treat the last three months as if you were alone and remember you’ve got a safety in the preceptor if you get stuck.

Pharmacy can be hard if you’re not comfortable in communicating with people about confront or embarrassing problems, so get in there and tackle these problems as much as possible to build your con dence in dealing with them alone! Finally, have fun! Pharmacy isn’t always doom and gloom, without doubt the best thing about pharmacy is the ability to help people and engage with more people in a day than some doctors do in a week! So make the most of your time by learning the best way to improve the lives of your patients! :) - Matthew, Community Pharmacy It's a balancing act and you will get better at that!

- Rebecca, Community Pharmacy Never stop asking questions. Expose yourself to every aspect of the profession (business, IT, stock control, webster packing, nursing homes, every type of hospital rotation if you're in hospital) now whilst you still have a support network.

- Anon, Hospital Pharmacy

There will be moments (this is guaranteed!) where everything will feel like it's too much - but those moments will pass and things do get easier. Just put in the hard work now, because for most people the intern year is the only time you'll have another pharmacist right next to you at all times.

- Rebecca, Community Pharmacy

74

ADVICE FROM PRECEPTORS

What is your best piece of advice for new interns?

When you start in a workplace it’ll be really exciting and because you’re excited and motivated you’ll sink your teeth into it. For the rst 3 months, listen to what people tell you you’re good at (because they will - you’re fresh out of uni and you’re new and enthusiastic, everyone LOVES that), that might be your counselling ability, your health promos, team training etc, etc.

Whatever it is try to hone in on that make that the thing you’re known for in your intern year. Similarly in every workplace there’ll be something that annoys you. That may be operational, a professional service you’re missing, a gap in team knowledge etc etc. Use that as a focus to achieve what you need.

Whatever one of those motivates you more, i.e. the thing people tell you you’re good at or the thing in the workplace that annoys you, deliver on that and you’ll be successful. It also will make you standout as a leader within the team!

- Angelica, Community Pharmacy It is your toughest year, full time study and full time work, everyone delegates to you and you feel like you know nothing! But the beauty is in the everyday interactions with patients, put them at the centre or your clinical skills and care and things will work out

- Taren, Community Pharmacy Don't leave your coursework until the last minute. Sign o your hours every week so you don't get confused down the track. Treat every day like a new opportunity to learn something.

- Katie, Community Pharmacy ADMIT YOUR MISTAKES! Then learn from them! You will make us more angry by trying to cover it up!

ITS OK TO SAY I DON'T KNOW! It’s not a weakness! You make us angry by guessing instead of researching!

Don’t be afraid to go rural! Get out of your comfort zones and get better clinical experiences!

- Danielle, Community and Hospital Pharmacy

AFTER THE INTERN YEAR WHAT COMES NEXT? So you've completed all your intern requirements and passed your exams.

CONGRATULATIONS! The world is now your oyster, the directions in which you can take your pharmacy career are endless!

76

LOCUMCO Partnering to develop Pharmacy Careers.

LocumCo is a proud partner of NAPSA. We are the country’s #1 pharmacy recruitment platform and owned by a registered pharmacist. Since our beginnings over 32 years ago, LocumCo has served thousands of pharmacies and pharmacists around Australia.

How does this partnership help you?

Free Job Seeker Portal - LocumCo provides a free portal for Intern positions around Australia. o You merely select the job or jobs for which you would like to apply, o Attach your CV and cover letter, your photo, and LocumCo does the rest o We will help you through the entire process. Call or email if you have any questions or want advice or guidance Nearing Graduation? Well done. Near the end of your Intern year there are a number of options open to you. Be a locum, start a permanent role or do some rural ELS work (see ELS below).

First Step? Visit www.locumco.com.au, We list many permanent positions throughout the country and also list a string of locum jobs.

When can I start as a Locum? Did you know you can take locum positions as soon as you are registered? Often newly registered pharmacists can be tentative about taking locums where they will be working as the only pharmacist. This is where communication with LocumCo is very important. If you lack con dence initially, talk to us, and we will select positions where the script volume is low and the support from dispensary sta is high. In rural pharmacies in particular, the dispensary technicians are extremely capable and can guide you until you become more con dent.

77

LOCUMCO Local or Rural locum opportunities? We have both. For rural locums travel and accommodation is provided by the pharmacy owner. This means that if you y to the destination your airfare is paid and if you drive in your own car then you are reimbursed at 78c per km.

What do I get paid? The hourly rate paid for locums in metro areas tends to be around $40-$45/hr mid-week at the time of this article. In rural areas the rate is $50/hr for regular locums or $65/hr for emergencies in rural areas.

What is the Emergency Locum Service (ELS)? LocumCo is the only recruitment agency accredited to manage the government funded Emergency Locum Service to Rural Australia. If there is a medical emergency or a personal tragedy in a remote part of Australia, then LocumCo provides an emergency locum to ll in for a maximum of 7 days. So, if you can pack your bags and jump on a plane, or into your car at short notice, the rewards are great both nancially and in satisfaction.

Why be a Locum? The bene t to you of trying locum work is that you experience so many di erent types of pharmacies and see how di erently they are run. You will see both the good and the “not so good” businesses. When it comes to working in a permanent position you will know exactly what to look for and the type of pharmacist you want to be.

Sue Muller Director LocumCo. www.locumco.com.au 1800 357 001

78

NAPSA ALUMNI NETWORK The NAPSA Alumni Network aims to create opportunities for pharmacists, from new graduates through to industry leaders, to re-connect and forge new personal and professional relationships.

NAPSA alumni will have the chance to celebrate the fantastic roots of our industry as well as work con dently and co-operatively toward a bright future.

Our members will have access to a range of events and opportunities geared towards fostering good will and positive connections between our alumni and, also NAPSA's student members. These include: Networking - Professional networking events on a local, state and national level Mentoring - Mentoring and teaching opportunities, Alumni to Students and Alumni to Alumni Philanthropy - Multiple opportunities to support NAPSA through a variety of di erent avenues Updates - Newsletters; what is happening with NAPSA, our projects and updates on fellow Alumni Are you a NAPSA Alumni Member?

Join Here! - http://bit.ly/napsaalumni Once you become a member you can join our NAPSA Alumni Facebook Forum! https://www.facebook.com/groups/NAPSAAlumni/

79