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PharmacyCareerGuide PDF
PharmacyCareerGuide PDF
PSA is pharmacy.
While most of the information contained in the Guide Acknowledgments
has been derived from relevant websites, wherever
The development of this career guide is to help
possible, the information has been collated with
pharmacists, in the early stages of their careers,
input by and collaboration with individuals from the
consider their next career move and navigate
organisations and companies to which they pertain.
pathways to achieve their goals.
We hope that you find the information useful and we
It was set as a project for an Industry Major and
wish you every success in your pharmacy career.
accomplished by two University of Sydney pharmacy
students completing their placement with the NSW
Joanne & Amanda
Branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. The
October 2014
project was supervised by the NSW Member services
and CPD programs managers.
The PSA recognises that, in an ever-changing
The PSA acknowledges the contribution of the
environment of employment opportunities, the
following individuals in the development of this
information contained in this Guide is time sensitive.
Guide.
The Pharmacy careers guide is not all inclusive
and may not capture all opportunities available to Writers
pharmacists, however there are plans to regularly
Amanda Chan, University of Sydney
update the document.
Joanne Foo, University of Sydney
This publication contains material that has been provided by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), and
may contain material provided by the Commonwealth and third parties. Copyright in material provided by the
Commonwealth or third parties belong to them. PSA owns the copyright in the publication as a whole and all
material in the publication that has been developed by PSA. In relation to PSA owned material, no part may be
reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), or the
written permission of PSA. Requests and inquiries regarding permission to use PSA material should be addressed
to: Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, PO Box 42, Deakin West ACT 2600. Where you would like to use material
that has been provided by the Commonwealth or third parties, contact them directly.
Disclaimer
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd. has made every effort to ensure that, at the date of publication,
this document is free from errors and that advice and information drawn upon have been provided in good
faith. Neither the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd, nor any person associated with the preparation of this
document, accepts liability for any loss which a user of this document may suffer as a result of reliance on the
document and in particular for:
• Use of the Guide for a purpose which they were not intended
• Any errors or omissions in the Guide
• Any inaccuracy in the information or data on which the Guide is based or which is contained in it
• Any interpretation or opinions stated in, or which may be inferred from the Guide
This Guide is available on the PSA website at www.psa.org.au
Note: if organisations would like to be included in this publication, please contact the NSW branch at
nsw.branch@psa.org.au
Contents
Pharmacy internship 8
Community pharmacy 10
Hospital pharmacy 13
Rural pharmacy 16
Pharmaceutical industry 18
Medical writing 21
Academia 23
Research 26
Professional organisations 27
Military pharmacy 31
Government agencies 33
Non-traditional settings 38
Business 44
Research 45
Health studies 47
Health policy 48
Glossary 50
Pharmacy is the study of the development of drugs used for therapy and their medicinal
effects on the human body. Pharmacists are medicines experts who apply clinical knowledge
to practical situations and are essential to the healthcare system.
Pharmacists are part of a multidisciplinary team The Competency Standards describe the skills,
of medical staff and allied health professionals attitudes and attributes which enable the individual
that seek to provide optimal care for patients to practise as a pharmacist. The domains or areas of
and carers. Pharmacy is a rewarding career for professional endeavour or responsibility covered by
those interested in the health and wellbeing of the Competency Standards are:
people in primary, secondary and tertiary care • Professional and ethical practice
settings. Pharmacy offers diverse career options in • Communication, collaboration and
traditional e.g. community and hospital settings, self‑management
and non‑traditional settings. • Leadership and management
• Review and supply prescribed medicines
Pharmacists are registered with the Australian
• Prepare pharmaceutical products
Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
• Deliver primary and preventative healthcare
and registration must be current for pharmacists
• Promote and contribute to optimal use of
to work in clinical settings. Registered pharmacists
medicines
must comply with the National Competency
• Critical analysis, research and education
Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia
(NCSFPA) 2010.
Pharmacy internship
Professional Academia & Industry & medical
Rural
organisations research writing
Postgraduate studies
A pharmacy degree may be used as pre-requisite for postgraduate studies in health and health policy related courses such as in
medicine, dentistry, bioethics, public health, health policy and law.
University of Newcastle
www.newcastle.edu.au
University of Sydney
www.sydney.edu.au
University of Technology
www.uts.edu.au
Pharmacy graduates apply for provisional Intern Training Programs (ITP) must meet the
registration and approval of supervised practice accreditation standards set by the Australian
with AHPRA. Requirements for supervised practice Pharmacy Council (APC). The accreditation
are set by the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA). standards address the criteria for initial registration
Interns must complete 1824 hours of supervised as set out in the NCSFPA. Training provided
practice, undertake an accredited intern training by ITP providers allows interns to apply their
program and successfully pass a written and oral academic knowledge and skills in conjunction with
examination to be eligible for full registration. practical experience to progress from student to
competent pharmacist.
Community pharmacy practice is the most popular option for new graduates. There are
various job opportunities within a community pharmacy that allow pharmacists to progress
and gain new skills and specialities.
Community pharmacists have an important role Extended roles for pharmacists in the community
in medication counselling and health education setting include Residential Medication
as they are often the first point of contact for Management Review (RMMR) and Home
patients and carers within the healthcare system. Medication Review (HMR). Pharmacists accredited
Pharmacists working in a community pharmacy to conduct medication reviews must complete
setting must be registered with AHPRA. To maintain a qualifying course, obtain an additional 20 CPD
registration, pharmacists must hold the approved credits within each CPD recording period and meet
level of individual Professional Indemnity Insurance re-accreditation requirements.
(PII), maintain regular practice and complete the
minimum requirement of Continuing Professional
Development (CPD) credits for each 12 month
recording period.
Manly, Auburn, Balmain, Sydney, Royal and Deputy Director of Pharmacy Group 2
Newcastle, Albury, Wyong, Blue Mountains/ Hospitals
Group 4
Clinical specialties
Antimicrobial stewardship Community liaison Critical care
• Aims to reduce unnecessary use of • Ensures continual healthcare by • Provides advice on medication use based
antimicrobial agents that are likely to coordinating pharmaceutical care plans on medical history and interpretation of
cause harm or have the potential to • Provides a link between hospital clinical evidence
stimulate resistant bacteria and community care by facilitating • Focuses on optimising medication safety
• Manages pharmacotherapy for patients communication with the patient, for patients susceptible to adverse effects
with infectious diseases through relevant pharmacies and members in the or drug interactions
evidence-based research healthcare team • Participates in a multidisciplinary team
• Coordinates with infectious disease • Promotes QUM and the importance of with other healthcare professionals to
physicians to manage antimicrobial medication management in minimising care for patients with a poor health profile;
prescribing and ensures patients receive hospital admissions through community often in the intensive care unit or coronary
optimal treatment education programs care unit
Remote refers to “places that are geographically, counterparts. Chronic illnesses are more prevalent
professionally and personally isolating with limited and proper management is limited by the
access to medical support and peers” (PhARIA shortage of healthcare professionals. Working in
Categories 5 and 6); while rural refers to places with a rural practice can broaden a pharmacist’s career
“some restricted access to goods, services and social prospects, allows them to gain awareness of cultural
interaction” (PhARIA Categories 2–4). diversity and offers opportunities to work more
collaboratively with healthcare teams.
Rural and remote communities of Australia lack
access to healthcare and experience poorer Rural community pharmacies are usually larger
health status than their regional and metropolitan in size, have lower fixed costs and experience
less competition than metropolitan pharmacies.
The scarcity of health services and the heavy
Academic
pharmacist
burden of chronic illnesses, means that rural
pharmacies also tend to provide a wider range of
health related services such as disease screening
and disease state management.
Hospital Rural Consultant
pharmacist pharmacy pharmacist Pharmacists may also work in rural/regional
hospitals, regional universities and Aboriginal Health
Services (AHS). AHS is a State/Territory or community
Community Pharmacist in controlled organisation which offers primary
pharmacist Aboriginal Health Service
healthcare services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait
Islander people. AHS is responsible for providing
medications to patients in a safe and appropriate
manner while adhering to relevant legislation.
The comprehensive medical knowledge and skills gained from pharmacy degrees create
a high demand for pharmacists in the manufacturing, medical, sales and marketing
departments of pharmaceutical companies.
It is highly regarded to have worked in a clinical Some major local drug
pharmacy, experience with home medication
reviews, adverse events reporting and worked
companies
closely with general practitioners (GPs), doctors and • Aspen
other healthcare professionals before entering the • AstraZeneca
pharmaceutical industry. • Baxter
• Bayer
Working in the pharmaceutical industry (pharma) • Charm Health
allows pharmacists to develop new skills and • Eli Lilly
gain experience in business development • GlaxoSmithKline
with opportunities to travel within Australia • Novartis
and overseas. • Pfizer
• Roche
• Sanofi
Marketing
Pharmaceutical
Regulatory affairs Sales
industry
Academic pharmacists are faculty members of an educational institute and are crucial
to the teaching and training of future pharmacists, as well as driving research in various
aspects of health.
Working in academia comes with many benefits Areas of academia
such as the chance to contribute to scientific and
clinical knowledge, enhance personal careers, This is not an all inclusive list of the job positions
personal satisfaction from teaching or supervising available in academia. The duties and requirements
students and the opportunity to collaborate with listed for each job position may differ among
other professionals. universities.
Qualifications/experience
• Generally, permanent academic positions require
PhD degree
• To enrol in a PhD, the applicant must have prior
research experience such as completion of an
Honours degree
• If the applicant has no previous research
experience, consider completing a Master or
Degree before enrolling in a PhD
If interested in practice-based research, experience
as a registered pharmacist is important.
Duties:
• Supports community pharmacies with For more information
the implementation and maintenance
AACP
of the Quality Care Pharmacy Program
www.aacp.com.au
(QCPP) and other professional services
• Develops and delivers CPD activities ACP
• Trains and develops pharmacy staff www.acp.edu.au
Requirements: NPS MedicineWise
• Degree level qualifications in Pharmacy www.nps.org.au
with eligibility for registration in Australia
• Understands QCPP PSA
• Knowledge of CPA www.psa.org.au
• 5 years’ working experience within SHPA
community pharmacy is recommended www.shpa.org.au
The Guild
www.guild.org.au
Duties: Duties:
Further study
• Leads, coordinates and participates in • Leads and coordinates antimicrobial
research relating to poisons information, stewardship at state level for NSW public • Master of Clinical Epidemiology
clinical toxicology and toxicovigilance hospitals • Master of Health Communication
under the supervision of the clinical • Attends meetings and provides • Master of Health Law
toxicologist in charge of research educational resources for clinicians in • Master of Health Policy
• Extracts and analyses data from the hospitals, ensuring that resources are • Master of Pharmaceutical Medicine
NSW Poisons Information Centre call supported by literature, developed in • Master of Public Health
entry database and liaises with external consultation with clinicians and promote
agencies best practice For more information
• Provides clinical information to medical • Communicates, provides advice and
Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)
professionals and the general public prepares high-level reports on behalf
pharmacycouncil.org.au
regarding the assessment and treatment of CEC to government agencies and
of toxins professional organisations regarding Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC)
antimicrobial stewardship www.cec.health.nsw.gov.au
Requirements:
• Develops and maintains effective
• Degree qualification in pharmacy Department of Human Services
relationships with people or groups
or science/ medical science with www.humanservices.gov.au
of people involved with antimicrobial
pharmacology major
stewardship in NSW public hospitals
• Formal research training as part of Health Professional Councils Authority
• Manages and supports resources of the
postgraduate degree or at least 12 (HPCA)
antimicrobial stewardship program
months research experience in clinical www.hpca.nsw.gov.au
toxicology, epidemiology or public health Requirements:
NSW Poisons Information Centre
• Experience with data management and • Qualifications and experience as a
analysis healthcare professional in Australia www.chw.edu.au/poisons
• Recent clinical experience in a hospital in discipline relevant to antimicrobial Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA)
setting or with clinical trials stewardship www.pharmacyboard.gov.au
• Knowledge of ethics committee • An understanding of quality and safety
applications in healthcare, with experience in quality Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
• Evidence of publications in peer-reviewed improvement and managing change www.tga.gov.au
scientific or medical journals and/or • Excellent interpersonal and
scientific presentations at professional communication skills
conferences • Skills in project management, data
analysis and problem-solving
• Ability to manage a team to meet
program goals and objectives
Pharmacist
attorney
Non-traditional Regulator
Pharmacy investor
settings pharmacist
Health economics
associate/manager
For additional information on training courses please refer to Further study opportunities
on page 40 of this Guide.
There are a number of accredited educational institutions that offer further study
opportunities to train pharmacists and other allied healthcare professionals on skills to
develop their careers.
These studies may lead to career opportunities in advanced Note: This courses listed below are mainly for NSW and are
practice, business, research, health studies and health policy not all inclusive. Individuals interested should contact specific
development. providers for further details on their programs, as the information
below offers only a general overview of courses and admission
requirements may be subject to change.
Advanced practice
Sleep Apnoea and Continuous Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Graduate Certificate in
Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Education and Management Educational Studies
training
The course approaches diabetes education Postgraduate qualification focused on
This program provides the knowledge and management from scientific, aetiology combining both theory and practice to help
and skills needed to help individuals who and pathophysiological perspectives it also students apply their knowledge in modern
have been diagnosed with sleep apnoea. It explores theories of health behaviour and educational environments. Students will
covers the signs, symptoms and associated the implications these have for practise. develop an advanced understanding of the
risk factors of sleep apnoea as well the Systems to prevent and manage diabetes broader issues which affect the learning
treatments available including the use of is examined with an emphasis on the self- environment.
CPAP. management model of care
Course duration: 6 months (full-time), 1 year
Course duration: 3 hours Course duration: 1 year part-time (part-time)
Providers: Premium Health Providers: UTS Providers: USYD, UoN
General admission requirements: General admission requirements: General admission requirements:
• No pre-requisites, however, they • Applicants must have completed a UTS • Applicants need to have completed
only offer group training for up to recognised bachelor’s degree, or an a degree from a recognised tertiary
15 participants equivalent or higher qualification, or institution or have equivalent
submitted other evidence of general qualifications
and professional qualifications that
demonstrates potential to pursue
graduate studies.
• Previous qualifications must be in a
health-related field such as nursing, allied
health or medicine.
• Applicants must have at least one year’s
full-time professional employment in
their health-related discipline, part of
which has been in a diabetes-related
clinical area
Provider: AACP
• Requires the completion of an online clinical
assessment program consisting of multiple choice
questions and 4 case study assessments (2 HMRs
and 2 RMMRs)
• Reaccreditation requirements:
-- Annual CPD requirement of 60 credits
-- Clinical MCQ assessment every three years
Course duration: up to 1 year (Online)
Provider: SHPA
• Pharmacists must show evidence of participation in
an approved CPD program
• Reaccreditation requirements:
-- Annual CPD requirement of 60 credits (of which
no more than 10 credits are Group 1)
General admission requirements:
• Registered pharmacist with evidence of at least two
years of pharmacy practice experience
• Pharmacists must have one of the following
qualifications:
-- Certified by the Board of Pharmacy Specialities
(BCPS)
-- Certified as a Geriatric Pharmacist (GCP)
-- Credentialed by NAPE
• Evidence of successful completion of competency
based assessment addressing topics of relevance
to the skills required for medication management
reviews:
-- Certification as a Geriatric Pharmacy Specialist
(Duration of credentialing: 5 years)
-- Certification as a Pharmacotherapy Specialist
(Duration of credentialing: 7 years)
-- Master of Clinical Pharmacy or Master of
Pharmacy Practice plus meeting credentialing
criteria from a NAPE university
(Duration of credentialing: 5 years)
Course duration: 12 months Course duration: 10–18 months General admission requirements:
• Registered pharmacist
Providers: PSA and many other providers Providers: PSA and many other providers
General admission requirements: General admission requirements:
• Applicants need to be currently • Need to be working in a pharmacy
managing or intending to manage a management role with the opportunity
small business to implement changes in the workplace
or to develop the skills required to
Certificate IV in Training and undertake a management role
Assessment
Master of Health Economics
This course educates students on the latest
in training and mentoring techniques and It is designed to provide students with the
increases effectiveness in training, coaching analytical skills and conceptual knowledge
and mentoring staff, interns and students. to understand the complexities of health
care systems and to analyse and evaluate
Course duration: 12 months
health care interventions and health
Providers: PSA and many other providers policies.
Providers: ANU, UQ
Admission requirements:
• Applicants need to have an approved
bachelor’s degree in an appropriate
discipline with an average mark/GPA
deemed acceptable by the university
Graduate Certificate in Health • Applicants have completed requirements Graduate Certificate in Public
Policy of the embedded Graduate Certificate, or Health
equivalent qualification
This certificate offers a critical perspective The certificate provides a range of critical,
on the operation of the healthcare system; Admission requirements for UTS: research and practical skills in the areas
main emphasis on the importance of power, • Applicants must have completed a UTS of policy analysis, economic evaluation,
value choices and interaction with public recognised bachelor’s degree, or an epidemiology, qualitative methods and health
and private sectors in shaping policy. equivalent or higher qualification, or promotion. The course provides graduates
submitted other evidence of general with the ability to determine the nature of
Course duration: 1 year (part-time only) and professional qualifications that
community health problems and skills to
demonstrates potential to pursue
Providers: USYD, UTS initiate steps in defining and alleviating these
graduate studies.
issues using various services available.
General admission requirements:
• Applicant must hold a bachelor’s Master of Health Policy Course duration: 6 months (full-time), 1 year
degree, or equivalent qualification and a This course equips students with knowledge (part-time)
minimum of 1 year’s work experience in a Providers: UNSW, UWS
and skills to understand, interpret, influence
policy related field OR
and shape health policy. This course General admission requirements:
• Applicants have a minimum of 5 years
professional work experience in a provides a pathway for health professionals, • Applicants to have completed a university
policy related field OR pass preliminary government employees and consultants to degree or equivalent qualification
examination(s) as prescribed by the Faculty pursue a career in health policy.
Graduate Diploma in Public
Admission requirements for UTS: Course duration: 1 year (full-time), 2–3 years Health
• Applicants must have completed a UTS (part-time)
recognised bachelor’s degree, or an This diploma educates students to develop
equivalent or higher qualification, or Providers: USYD, UTS skills and gain knowledge necessary for
submitted other evidence of general the effective practice of public health.
General admission requirements:
and professional qualifications that • Applicants have a bachelor’s degree It provides graduates with the ability to
demonstrates potential to pursue with a first or second class honours, or determine the nature of community health
graduate studies equivalent qualification and a minimum problems and the skills in defining and
of 1 year’s work experience in a policy alleviating dilemmas by combining various
Graduate Diploma in Health
related field OR services available. Core units of the course
Policy
• Applicants have completed requirements provide basic health knowledge and skills
This qualification is an extension of the of the embedded Graduate Certificate and in epidemiology, biostatistics, qualitative
Graduate Certificate in Health Policy. Graduate Diploma or equivalent qualification research methods, health promotion, and
The program offers a critical perspective on the Admission requirements for UTS: public health.
operation of the healthcare system. Students • Applicants must have completed a UTS
recognised bachelor’s degree, or an Course duration: 1 year (full-time)/up to
will gain an understanding of the forces
equivalent or higher qualification, or 6 years (part-time) (USYD), 1 year (full‑time)
shaping the health policy environment, the
submitted other evidence of general (UNSW), 1 year (full-time)/1.5 years
capacity to work with professional confidence
and professional qualifications that (part‑time) (UWS)
across the health sector at high-level national
demonstrates potential to pursue
and international health policy networks. Providers: USYD, UNSW, UWS, UON
graduate studies.
Course duration: 1 year (full-time), UTS also offers a Master of Health Policy General admission requirements:
18 months (part-time) Extension with the same entry requirements • Applicants should have completed
as above a university degree or equivalent
Providers: USYD, UTS
qualification
General admission requirements:
• Applicants have a bachelor’s degree, or
equivalent qualification and a minimum
of 1 years work experience in a policy
related field OR