PharmacyCareerGuide PDF

Pharmacy careers guide 2015
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
PSA Project team

Domenica Baskin
Manager, NSW Member services and CPD programs
Deborah Benjamin
Manager, NSW Member services and CPD programs
© Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd., 2015
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
Introduction to the pharmacy profession 4
Entry into pharmacy 6
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
Further study opportunities 40
Business 44
Research 45
Health studies 47
Health policy 48
Glossary 50
Pharmacy careers guide I © Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd. 3

Introduction to the pharmacy profession
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.
4 Pharmacy careers guide I © Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd.

General qualities of pharmacists
• High attention to detail
• Organised and has good management skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Has exceptional problem solving skills
• Ability to make logical decisions and negotiate
• Ability to work independently and in a team
environment
• Ability to build rapport with other healthcare
professionals (HCPs) and consumers
Education pathway for pharmacists Pharmacy career areas
Entry into pharmacy through Government Non-traditional

Community
HSC, APEC or other undergraduate studies agencies settings
Teritary pharmacy study in

BPharm or MPharm
Military Pharmacy careers Hospital
Pharmacy internship
Professional Academia & Industry & medical
Rural
organisations research writing
Postgraduate studies

Entry into pharmacy
In NSW, a number of universities offer pharmacy degrees at bachelor and/or master

levels. Both pharmacy degrees develop students’ insights into the development of drugs,
how medications affect the human body and how to communicate effectively to consumers
and other health professionals.
Admission requirements for universities differ and may vary from year to year. After completion of the pharmacy course, students are
qualified to undertake an internship involving workplace and further training and assessment, to become a registered pharmacist.
Admission into Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm)

Note: Glossary of terms and abbreviations is available on page 50.
University Course Admission requirements

duration
Charles Sturt 4 years • ATAR plus criteria (optional supplementary application)

University (CSU) full-time • Applicants are encouraged to fill in CSU’s optional Supplementary Application Form available
Campus: Orange & on their course website
Wagga Wagga • May be invited to attend telephone interview
• Assumed knowledge: Chemistry, English Standard and Mathematics
• Recommended studies: Biology
• International entrants require minimum overall IELTS score of 7.0 and individual band score of
not less than 6.5 in each component (or equivalent)
• STAT is not compulsory but will be considered along with other information
University of New 4 years • 87.20 (2014 ATAR cut-off )

England (UNE) full-time • Assumed knowledge: Chemistry and Mathematics
Campus: Armidale OR • Recommended studies: Biology
up to 10 years • High level of English language proficiency. Applicants who need to provide evidence of English
part-time proficiency, require IELTS (Academic) overall score of at least 7.0 with minimum score of 7.0 in
Speaking and Listening and 6.00 in Reading and Writing
University of 4 years • 87.55 (2014 ATAR cut-off )

Newcastle (UoN) full-time • Assumed knowledge: Chemistry, English Advanced, Mathematics and Physics
Campus: • Recommended studies: Chemistry, English Advanced, Mathematics and Physics
Callaghan
University of 4 years • 90.05 (2014 ATAR cut-off ) or strong GPA/WAM*
Sydney (USYD) full- time • Applicants with a record of at least one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) tertiary study
Campus: require a strong WAM close to distinction or higher
Camperdown/ • Assumed knowledge: Chemistry and Mathematics
Darlington • Recommended studies: Biology or Physics

Admission into Master of Pharmacy (MPharm)
University Course Admission requirements
duration
University of 2 years • Completed a bachelor’s degree

Sydney (USYD) full-time • Meet the minimum requirements for one of these:
Campus: -- GPA: 5.5 approximate to credit level or 65% based on a pass mark of 50% at USYD (2014) OR
Camperdown/ -- GAMSAT: 55 with 50 in each section (2014) OR
Darlington -- MCAT: 8 (2014)
• Meet a minimum of 54 credit points, or equivalent, in 7 prerequisite subjects (chemistry, pharmacology,
physiology, human biology, biochemistry, calculus and statistics) at university level in the last 5 years.
Students can enrol in the course with 12 credits of the above prerequisite subjects outstanding on the
condition that they are completed by the end of the first year of the Master of Pharmacy program
• Proficiency in English is required for entry as per the University IELTS Standard; minimum result of
7.0 overall and a minimum 6.5 in each band
University of 2 years • Applicants must have completed a UTS recognised bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent or
Technology full-time higher qualification, or submitted other evidence of general and professional qualifications that
(UTS) demonstrates potential to undertake graduate studies
Campus: • All applicants need to have completed the following subjects at tertiary level (from a qualification
Ultimo completed in the last ten years):
-- Two Chemistry subjects
-- Two Pharmacology subjects
-- One Biochemistry subject
-- One Human Physiology subject
-- One Mathematics/Statistics subject
• Applicants are assessed on their GPA (credit level in 2014)
• The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international
qualifications is:
-- Academic IELTS: 7.5 overall with a 7.0 in each subtest
• Shortlisted applicants are required to attend an interview
*Grade Point Average (GPA) is an internationally recognised numerical calculation used to find the average result of all grades achieved over a defined study period. GPA is
equivalent to Weighted Average Mark (WAM) and may be used by various universities.
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.
For more information

Charles Sturt University
www.csu.edu.au
University of New England

my.une.edu.au
University of Newcastle
www.newcastle.edu.au
University of Sydney
www.sydney.edu.au
University of Technology
www.uts.edu.au

Pharmacy internship
Pharmacy graduates of an approved program of study need to undertake an internship
under the supervision of a registered pharmacist preceptor to be eligible for registration as a
pharmacist in Australia.
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.
Pharmacist registration allows pharmacists to work

anywhere in Australia, however State legislations
vary and it is the responsibility of individual
pharmacists to be aware of and to practice
according to the legislation in the State they are
Intern Training working in.
Programs in NSW
PGA NAPE PSA

Intern Training Programs (ITPs) offered in NSW
National Alliance for Pharmacy Pharmaceutical Society of Pharmacy Guild of Australia
Education (NAPE) Australia (PSA) (PGA)
The NAPE ITP is offered at the University of The PSA ITP offers 2 rounds of enrolments The Guild ITP course features workshops
Sydney, Monash University, the University per year and the course can be fast tracked and tutorials delivered by experienced
of South Australia and the University of to be completed in 6 months. The course pharmacy tutors and expert community
Queensland. It provides opportunities features online assessments, workplace pharmacy practitioners. Guild interns
to combine internship with credit points based projects, and face to face workshops receive a face‑to‑face workplace visit,
towards a postgraduate qualification. in Sydney and major regional centres of online interaction with intern pharmacists
The teaching approach is through Australia. The course is run nationally and and tutors across Australia, and support for
case-based learning to cover pharmacy provides flexibility of access should the interns and preceptors.
practice issues and involves close ongoing intern’s situation change. At completion of
The strong emphasis on community
interaction with other interns and practising the program, participants receive a Graduate
pharmacy practice in the Guild ITP
pharmacists in discussion forums and Certificate in Applied Pharmacy Practice.
includes coverage of primary healthcare,
face‑to-face seminars. Credits from this certificate can be used
non-prescription medicines, treatment
for further study qualifications such as the
Cost: This program qualifies for and referral of common minor illnesses,
Graduate Diploma of Applied Pharmacy
HECS‑HELP as it is embedded in the medication management, professional
Practice or the Diploma of Management.
Graduate Certificate in Pharmacy Practice programs, the QCPP and more. The Guild
which attracts Commonwealth Supported Cost: Single payment of $1,950 ITP also offers free registration at key
Places (CSPs). (tax deductible, for 2014 year) OR pay pharmacy congresses including APP, the
monthly instalments over 6 months OR pay National Convention and Exhibition and the
later with VET FEE-HELP. Pharmacy Western Australia Forum.
The Guild ITP is offered in Queensland,

New South Wales/Australian Capital
Territory, Tasmania and Western Australia.
Cost: $1,856 (for 2014 year)

National Alliance for Pharmacy Education
(NAPE)
www.nape.edu.au/
interntrainingprogram
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA)

www.psa.org.au/intern
Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA)

www.nsw-interntrainingprogram.com

Community pharmacy
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.
Professional Pharmacist Pharmacist in

services pharmacist employee charge
Advanced practice Community Pharmacist

pharmacist pharmacy manager
Locum pharmacist Proprietor

Job positions for pharmacists in community pharmacy
The positions listed are not all inclusive. The information listed for each job position gives a general overview and duties and
responsibilities vary from pharmacy to pharmacy.
Pharmacist employee Pharmacist manager Locum pharmacist

Duties: Duties: Duties:
• Maintains and improves health by • Responsible to the proprietor for all • Minimum duty levels of a pharmacist in
offering advice and information to aspects of the business charge; often required to also take on
customers and other healthcare • Works closely with retail manager some managerial roles
professionals • Manages rosters and wages • May require travelling, as many jobs are in
• Checks dosage and ensures that • Controls stock and stock orders rural or regional centres (A driver’s licence
medications are labelled correctly and • Manages budgets would be an asset)
safely administered • Trains staff • Ability to self-manage finances and
• Dispenses prescribed medications • Performs all other duties of a community schedules is essential; having an
• Counsels patients in regards to pharmacist as required Australian Business Number (ABN) is
prescription and over the counter (OTC) recommended
medications Recommended training:
Recommended training:
• Monitors adherence and provides clinical • Certificate IV in Small Business
Management • Certificate IV in Small Business
interventions where appropriate
Management
• Prepares dose administration aids and • Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
• Ethics and Dispensing in Pharmacy
delivers services to consumers’ homes or • Diploma of Management
Practice
residential care facilities • Ethics and Dispensing in Pharmacy Practice
• Graduate Diploma of Applied Pharmacy
Recommended training: • Graduate Diploma of Applied Pharmacy
Practice
Practice
• Ethics and Dispensing in Pharmacy • Graduate Certificate in Pharmacy Practice
• Graduate Diploma in Public Health
Practice • Graduate Certificate in Applied Pharmacy
• Graduate Certificate in Pharmacy Practice
• Graduate Diploma of Applied Pharmacy Practice
• Graduate Certificate in Applied Pharmacy
Practice
Practice Job websites for locum pharmacists:
• Medication Management Review
accreditation • Locum Company
Proprietor
• Graduate Certificate in Pharmacy Practice www.locumco.com.au
• Graduate Certificate in Applied Pharmacy Duties: • Pharmacy Locum
Practice • Is responsible for the sustainability of pharmlocum.com.au
the pharmacy as a business and sets the • Ravens Recruitment
Pharmacist in charge values and vision for the pharmacy www.ravensrecruitment.com.au
• Ensures the pharmacy is being managed • The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of
Duties:
in a way that meets legal and ethical Australia (SHPA)
• Works with and reports to the pharmacist requirements jobs.shpa.org.au/Locum-pharmacists
manager/proprietor for the day-to-day
• Works effectively and closely
operations of the pharmacy
with pharmacists and retail manager
• Initiates store procedures to improve
• Makes marketing decisions
efficiency and customer experience
• Recruits and trains staff
• Manages dispensary
• Trains and manages staff Recommended training:
• Provides primary healthcare advice and • Certificate IV in Small Business
customer service Management
Recommended training: • Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
• Diploma of Management
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
• Ethics and Dispensing in Pharmacy Practice
• Diploma of Management
• Ethics and Dispensing in Pharmacy Practice
Practice
• Pharmacy Ownership Ready series seminars
Practice
Practice
Practice

Professional services Advanced practice pharmacist Recommended education courses
pharmacist • Asthma Educators Course
Pharmacy as a profession is maturing in its
Professional services pharmacists do not • Certificate IV in Small Business Management
role in delivering healthcare and facilitating
require additional qualifications but may • Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
pharmacists to strive for excellence in all that
undertake continuing professional education • Course in Conduct Immunisation
they do. The credential of advanced practice Services within a Community Pharmacy
to expand their knowledge and skills to pharmacist recognises those pharmacists Environment
provide quality service for better patient whose practice is so significantly different • Diploma of Management
health outcomes. It is recommended that from that achieved at initial registration that it • Ethics and Dispensing in Pharmacy Practice
pharmacists be familiar with the provision warrants recognition by professional peers and • Graduate Certificate in Applied Pharmacy
and remuneration of funded services such as the public of the expertise of the practitioner Practice
MedsCheck and Diabetes MedsCheck through and the education, training, and experience • Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education
the Community Pharmacy Agreements (CPA) from which that capability was derived. and Management
or other services that provide extra income • Graduate Diploma in Public Health
streams or loyalties for the pharmacy. Advanced practice is more about the impact
of a pharmacist’s practice and the associated
Examples of CPA funded services: Practice
contribution to healthcare that defines
Pharmacy Practice Incentives (PPI) • Manage the delivery and administration of
someone as an advanced practitioner. injections and immunisations
• Dose Administration Aids (DAAs)
Advanced practice may be recognised in • Master of Clinical Pharmacy
• Clinical interventions
any of the environments that pharmacists • Medication Management Review
• Primary healthcare screening and
risk assessment and/or disease state practise in; community pharmacy, hospital • Professional Compounding Chemists of
management services pharmacy, independent medicines Australia (PCCA) training courses
-- Cardiovascular disease management, education, research, policy • Sleep apnoea and continuous positive
-- Diabetes and advocacy, regulatory affairs. Within airway pressure training
-- Health promotion these environments, a pharmacist may • Graduate Certificate in Pharmacy Practice
-- Mental health conditions have areas of expert professional practice • Graduate Certificate in Applied Pharmacy
-- Respiratory such as oncology pharmacy, leadership Practice
• Community services support and management, diabetes, or medication For additional information on training
-- National Diabetes Services Scheme management review (MMR).
(NDSS) Access Point courses please refer to Further study
-- Needle and Syringe Programs Advanced practice is not defined by the opportunities on page 40 of this Guide.
-- Opioid Substitution Programs professional service that a pharmacist
-- Pharmacy Delivery Service delivers. It recognises the continuum of a
-- Return of Unwanted Medicines (RUM) pharmacist’s career and a culture of life-long
Medication Management Initiatives learning, so that those pharmacists who
• MedsCheck shape and drive the development of the For more information
• Diabetes MedsCheck profession through strategic development
5th Community Pharmacy Agreement (5CPA)
Examples of non-CPA funded services and leadership are recognised for the
5cpa.com.au
experts that they are. For example, whilst a
• International normalised ratio (INR) testing
medicines management pharmacist does Allied Health Professionals Australia (AHPA)
• Mobility and continence aids
have skills over and above that at initial cdm.ahpa.com.au
• Sleep apnoea
registration, an advanced practitioner Pharmacists in General Practice Clinics,
• Weight management
would be one that is considered an expert Australian Pharmacist, January 2014 cover
Learning options in this area by their peers- fellow MMR story, A future so bright you will have to
Continuing professional development (CPD) pharmacists… an individual that shapes wear shades, PSA
is important in acquiring and maintaining the national agenda and policy debate Pharmacy Board of Australia – Registration
competence in professional service design for medicines management through Standards
and implementation. CPD is available from a engagement not just within the profession, www.pharmacyboard.gov.au/
range of health related bodies including the but external to the profession. Registration-Standards
PSA, PGA, government bodies and support
organisations. Access to educational material The Australian Pharmacy Council has been Advanced Practice Pharmacists
can be via print, online, webinars (live and endorsed by the organisations that represent Contact the Assistant Director of
recorded), workshops, lectures, seminars and the pharmacy profession in Australia, Credentialing at the Australian Pharmacy
conferences. through the APPFSC as the independent Council, Andrew Matthews
entity being responsible and accountable for E: andrew.matthews@pharmacycouncil.org.au
the credentialing of advance practitioners. P: 02 6262 9628
Hospital pharmacy
Pharmacists in hospitals actively contribute to the overview of medication use in the

healthcare facility and collaborate with a team of professionals to ensure all prescribed
medications are administered in a safe and effective manner.
Hospital pharmacists review medication charts, Public hospitals in NSW are classified into Groups
calculate dosages accurately for indicated according to the number of services provided and
diagnosis, monitor the progress of therapy and their level for referral. Pharmacists are classified into
identify and manage adverse reactions and Grades according to their working hospital group
medication interactions. Pharmacists may also be and specific criteria of qualifications in clinical
required to provide education for doctors, nurses, knowledge and experience.
patients and carers in the quality use of medicines.
Benefits of working as a hospital pharmacist
include opportunities to specialise in particular
health areas and services, career progression and
collaboration with other healthcare professionals,
and competitive salary packages with benefit
entitlements.
Public hospital groups Pharmacist grades

Gosford, John Hunter, St Vincent’s Registered as a practising pharmacist with
Grade 1
(Darlinghurst), Royal North Shore, St George, the Pharmacy Board of Australia

Group 1
Concord, Westmead, Royal Prince Alfred

(including Balmain and Rachel Forster),
Prince Henry, Prince of Wales Group (includes
Pharmacist with at least 3 years of experience
Grade 2
Sydney Children’s Hospital)

in hospital pharmacy and can demonstrate
Newcastle Mater Misericordiae, Children’s competency in the essential criteria required
Group 2
Hospital (Westmead), Liverpool, Nepean, at this level

Wollongong, Blacktown/Mt Druitt, Bankstown/
Lidcombe, Macarthur Health Service Pharmacist is responsible to the Director of
Grade 3
Pharmacy for the management and efficient

Coffs Harbour, Wagga Wagga Base,
Group 3
performance of a specific unit or function of

Sutherland, Tamworth Base, Rozelle,
the hospital’s pharmacy department.
Canterbury, Lismore, Ryde, Hornsby, Fairfield,
Dubbo Base Director of Pharmacy Group 4 Hospitals
Grade 4
Manly, Auburn, Balmain, Sydney, Royal and Deputy Director of Pharmacy Group 2
Newcastle, Albury, Wyong, Blue Mountains/ Hospitals
Group 4
Katoomba, Griffith Base, Orange, Bathurst

Base, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Gladesville/ Director of Pharmacy Group 3 Hospitals
Grade 5
Macquarie, Armidale, Tweed Heads/ and Deputy Director of Pharmacy Group 1

Murwillumbah Hospitals
Belmont, Cessnock, Maitland, Kurri Kurri,
Muswellbrook, Neringah, Royal Ryde
Director of Pharmacy Group 2 Hospitals
Grade 6
Rehabilitation, Royal South Sydney, War

Group 5
Memorial Waverly, Bowral, Cootamundra,

Manning River Base, Kempsey, Wauchope,
Young, Goulburn Base, Bulli, Casino, Kyogle,
Director of Pharmacy Group 1 Hospitals
Grade 7
Grafton, Mono Vale, Cowra, Royal Hospital for

Women, Parkes/Forbes, Lithgow, Condobolin,
Inverell, Moree/Narrabri, Glen Innes

Job positions for pharmacists in hospital pharmacy
The positions listed are not all inclusive and the information for the job positions listed is a guide only and varies from hospital to hospital.
Clinical pharmacist • Community liaison* • Outpatient*

• Is a term used for all pharmacists • Compounding* • Paediatric
working in hospitals • Critical care* • Palliative care*
• Reviews medication charts in • Drug use evaluation • Poison information*
hospital wards to ensure patients are • Education • Sports medicine
administered the optimum dose of the • Emergency medicine* • Psychopharmacy/mental health*
most appropriate medications for their • Endocrinology • Transplant
conditions • Haematology • Veterinary
• Attempts to prevent potential • Hospice (*pharmacist specialties discussed below)
side effects and interactions from • Immunology
polypharmacy • Internal medicine Pharmacists working in specialty areas
• Educates patients and other healthcare • Geriatrics have acquired unique knowledge and skills
professionals to support the Quality Use • Medication safety/pharmacovigilance* specific to the specialty area. To become
of Medicine (QUM) • Medicines distribution* a specialist pharmacist in NSW, additional
• Medicines information* study and training partnered with at least
Clinical speciality areas
• Nephrology 3 years of experience in the associated
• Adult medicine
• Neurology areas are required. There are opportunities
• Ambulatory care
• Nuclear/radiopharmacy* to conduct research or complete further
• Antimicrobial stewardship*
• Nutrition support study at a registered training organisation
• Cardiology
• Oncology* or an accredited teaching institute.
• Clinical trials*
• Operating room
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
Clinical trials Compounding Drug use evaluation

• Monitors the safety profile of drugs • Manufactures extemporaneous • Monitors prescribing patterns and
undergoing clinical trials in the hospital products that may not be available from adheres to medical guidelines to improve
• Creates protocols for the management of pharmaceutical companies the quality use of medicines
adverse reactions • Alters formulations and calculates • Evaluates drug use by considering the
• Involved in the research of medicines appropriate dosages required by special cost-effectiveness for the healthcare
on trial populations groups facility
• Processes aseptic products and • Analyses results and presents findings
intravenous fluid solutions to the relevant board of directors at
• Makes skin preparation products meetings and conferences
• Follows practice protocols in dispensing

Education Medicines information Palliative care
• Provides education and training on • Has high pharmaceutical knowledge • Focuses on improving the patient’s
pharmaceutical knowledge in the and is up-to-date with research in novel Quality of Life (QoL) through the
health facility therapeutics and off-label prescribing of prevention and relief of suffering
• Acts as a preceptor for intern pharmacists, medicines for indications that have not • Cares for patients with a life-threatening
supervisor for student placements and been approved by the Therapeutic Goods illness or incurable malignancies such
mentor for pharmacy technicians Administration (TGA) as cancer, HIV/AIDS and end-stage
• Creates teaching resources and organises • Researches and evaluates published organ failure
education sessions for other healthcare medical literature to respond to enquiries • Collaborates with other healthcare
professionals and patient groups from patients and other healthcare professionals in a multidisciplinary team
• Specialised positions are possible through professionals to create individualised healthcare plan
further study and training for instance • Provides clinical advice on special involving use of analgesics and medicines
in asthma or diabetes disease state populations and discusses the best for off-label indications
management options for therapeutic treatment with
other members of the healthcare team Poison information
Emergency medicine
• Provides assessment of patients exposed
• Maintains continual pharmaceutical Mental health to various toxins and advice on simple
care for patients in the emergency • Has broad knowledge of psychiatric treatment in the home or referral to a
department and those discharged back disorders and ensures pharmacotherapy Health Care Facility
into the community is appropriate and safe for patients with • Advises other health professionals on
• Conducts clinical interventions by mental illness the management and prognosis of
reviewing the documented medication • Communicates medicine information poisonings.
history taken prior to admission and up through counselling to the patient and • Answers simple drug information
until discharge from the hospital their carer questions
• Identifies drug-related problems and • May be involved in publication of material • Utilises and contributes to the
provides clinical advice to the healthcare regarding the use of psychotropic development of a range of drug and
team to resolve issues medicines poisons information resources and
• Educates patients regarding new management guidelines
medication regimens and provides Nuclear/radiopharmacy
For additional information on training
information to carers • Responsible for the quality control of
courses please refer to Further study
Medication safety/ chemicals used, including the disposal of
opportunities on page 40 of this Guide.
pharmacovigilance radioactive waste materials
• Prepares radiopharmaceutical agents
• Regulates the practice of protocols to Further study
• Maintains meticulous records
reduce the risk of medication dispensing
• Doctor of Philosophy
errors and prevent harm from adverse Oncology
events due to poor medicine management • Master of Clinical Epidemiology
• Reviews patient health history and status • Master of Health Communication
• Reports and reviews systems of
to design pharmaceutical care plans with • Master of Health Management
monitoring by identifying risks in the
specialty doctors • Master of Philosophy
workplace and initiating programs to
improve safety of medicine use • Documents and communicates relevant • Master of Public Health
literature evidence to recommend • Master of Radiopharmaceutical
• Educates other healthcare professionals on
appropriate medications Science
strategies to ensure safe use of medicines
• Checks relevant laboratory measurements
Medicines distribution and uses protocols for reference and dose For more information
• Procures stock and supplies medicines adjustment calculations
Health Services Union (HSU)
to other departments within the
healthcare facility Outpatient www.hsu.asn.au
• Maintains accurate stock records to • Reviews medication for patients Justice & Forensic Mental Health
ensure adequate amounts of medication attending outpatient clinics and at
Network
are available for distribution when discharge from the hospital
www.justicehealth.nsw.gov.au
required, including after-hours • Ensures treatment is appropriate and safe
• Promotes QUM by requisition to avoid with adequate supply of medications NSW Health Government
wastage of unused medicine • Counsels patients and carers on the www.health.nsw.gov.au
• Utilises systems to supply medications necessary medication management such
as adherence, storage and disposal SHPA
for multiple comorbidities such as daily
www.shpa.org.au
dose and individual patient cards (dose
administration aids)

Rural pharmacy
Australian pharmacies are categorised using the Pharmacy Access/Remoteness Index of

Australia (PhARIA) categories ranging from category 1 (highly accessible) to category 6
(very remote).
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.

Positions for pharmacists in rural • Rural Intern Training Allowance (RITA)
-- Offers financial support to help intern
pharmacy pharmacists from rural and remote areas
The positions listed are not all inclusive and the access compulsory intern training program
information for the job positions listed is a guide activities
only and varies location to location. -- Interns can claim up to $1,500 per financial
year to allow them to cover travel and
Academic pharmacist accommodation costs from undertaking
compulsory intern training workshops, training
• Regional university
days and examinations
• University Centre for Rural Health
-- Applicants must be Australian citizens or
• University Department of Rural Health
permanent residents who live and work in a
Community pharmacist rural or remote area of Australia
• Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Allowance
Consultant pharmacist -- Provides financial support to help pharmacists
from rural and remote areas to access CPE and
• Area health services
other Professional Development (PD) activities
• Medicare locals / Primary Health Networks (PHN)
-- Applicants must be Australian citizens or
• Medicines review
permanent residents who are practising
• QUM services in aged care facilities
pharmacists (including intern pharmacists
• Remote pharmacist and pharmacists planning to re-enter the
Hospital pharmacist workforce)
-- Must live and work in a rural or remote area of
Pharmacists working in Aboriginal Australia
Health Services -- Eligible pharmacists can claim up to $2,000
in allowance for travel and accommodation
expenses related to CPE and PD
Requirements and expectations
• Aware of the social and health issues experienced Nursing and Allied Health Rural Locum
by rural Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Scheme (NAHRLS)
Strait Islander people
• Allows rural and remote health professionals to
• Able to provide culturally appropriate and take leave by helping them find suitable locums
culturally safe pharmaceutical services to temporarily fill positions
• Able to work effectively in interprofessional • Offers rural locum placements anywhere across
teams rural and remote Australia
• Up-to-date with all new developments • Provides an opportunity to travel, meet
• May have no direct contact with the patient new people, for career progression and the
-- Provide medications to Aboriginal Medical development of new skills
Service
-- Train staff such as nurses and Aboriginal Health
Workers
-- Ensure quality use of medicine in remote sites
Australian Pharmacy Council –
Incentives to work in rural Remote Rural Pharmacists Project
pharmacy pharmacycouncil.org.au
Rural Pharmacy Workforce Program 5th Community Pharmacy Agreement

(5CPA)
• Rural Pharmacy Scholarship Scheme (RPSS)
5cpa.com.au
-- Offers financial assistance to encourage
and allow students from rural and remote • Continuing Professional Education
communities to complete an undergraduate or Allowance
graduate studies in pharmacy at university • Rural Intern Training Allowance
-- A minimum of 30 scholarships are offered per • Rural Pharmacy Scholarship Scheme
year valued at $10,000 per annum per student Nursing and Allied Health Rural Locum
Scheme
www.nahrls.com.au

Pharmaceutical industry
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
Medical affairs Clinical research

Job positions for pharmacists in pharma
The positions listed are not exhaustive and the information for the job positions listed is a guide only and varies from company to company.
Sales Marketing Medical information

Job positions: Job positions: Job positions:
• Sales representative • Marketing associate • Medical information associate
• Sales manager • Marketing manager • Senior medical information associate
• Marketing director • Medical information manager
Duties:
• Product manager
• Promotes company’s products to Duties:
healthcare professionals including GPs, Duties:
• Offers balanced, evaluated information
specialists and pharmacists • Provides in-depth therapeutic and
and advice on the clinical use of
product knowledge and evaluates
• Coordinates educational meetings in medicines to external customers (such as
therapeutic options
assigned territory pharmacists, GPs, specialists and patients)
• Develops promotional material and
• Reports adverse events and internal customers (such as sales and
activities for the sales force
• Provides healthcare professionals with marketing)
• Develops and implements marketing
updated information relating to products • Reviews published literature and
strategy
in their disease state portfolio company data to keep up-to-date with
• Manages the performance and
• Provides feedback for marketing and current product issues
profitability of company products
monitoring of sales • Reviews and approves advertising and
• Trains new sales representatives
promotional materials to ensure Code of
Requirements: Requirements: Conduct Compliance
• Qualifications needed will depend on the • Marketing degree
company Requirements:
• Bachelor of Pharmacy/Science or
• Bachelor of Science, Pharmacy or similar similar is ideal for technical background • Degree in Pharmacy or Life Sciences
is highly regarded knowledge • Experience in community pharmacy or
• Results-based sales experience • Results-based sales experience healthcare agency
• Ability to meet target sales quotas in a set • Easily builds strong rapport, good • Clinical/hospital pharmacy experience is
time frame organisational and planning skills beneficial
• Easily builds strong rapport and has good • Computer literate and previous
organisational and planning skills Medical affairs experience with online literature research
is beneficial
Medical Affairs is an umbrella terminology
Medical science liaison (MSL) • High attention to detail, strong verbal and
and roles such as medical information, drug
written communication skills
Duties: safety (pharmacovigilance) and medical
• Acts as the main scientific expert in science liaison belong to this department. Drug safety
the key therapeutic area and creates
Job positions: (pharmacovigilance)
resources for the therapy team
• Medical affairs associate Job positions:
• Offers assistance on projects in the key • Medical affairs manager
therapeutic area including medical • Drug safety associate
affairs, continuing medical education Duties: • Senior drug safety associate
and scientific reviews • Ensures the context of promotional • Drug safety manager
• Collaborates with the therapy unit to material is scientific, unbiased and
Duties:
identify, develop and manage emerging reasonable and all the information is
properly documented • Collects adverse event data for the
prospects for products
• Advises of the relative risk of materials company’s products and records them
Requirements: • Identifies and documents areas of onto regulatory databases, and notifies
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) qualification non‑compliance the appropriate regulatory authorities
in a specific therapeutic area or Bachelor • Consults with stakeholders in a • Offers adverse event report training to
of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery collaborative manner clinical trial investigators, sales and other
(MBBS) colleagues
Requirements: • Monitors drug safety as part of
• Pharmacists without a PhD can initially • Recommended to have a track record
gain experience in the Medical Affairs postmarketing surveillance
in completing promotional review
team and work their way into an MSL role or medical review activities within a Requirements:
• Experience working with clinicians pharmaceutical company • Pharmacy background and experience
• Strong therapeutic area knowledge and • Good knowledge of Medicines Australia • Attention to detail and ability to identify
understanding of clinical data Codes of conduct and process adverse events data
Regulatory affairs Clinical research
Job positions: Job positions:
• Regulatory affairs associate • Clinical research associate
• Senior regulatory affairs associate • Senior clinical research associate
• Project manager • Clinical project manager
• Regulatory affairs manager • Clinical research manager
Duties: Duties:
• Prepares and reviews new drug • Manages and reports on all clinical trials For additional information on training
applications, labels, reports and from Phase I through to Phase IV but
courses please refer to Further study
submissions mostly involved in Phase III trials
• Prepares regulatory documentation such • Identifies and recruits clinical investigator/
as regulatory submissions to the TGA sites
• Drafts product information (PI) and • Trains investigators and provides Further study
consumer information resources • Master of Health Economics
• Collaborates with all other functions in • Oversees data collection and analysis • Master of Pharmaceutical Medicine
the company; guides internal teams on • Ensures Good Clinical Research Practice • Master of Public Health
research, testing, product development (GCRP) guidelines are being followed • PhD
and quality assurance
Requirements: *ARCS Australia Ltd (previously the
• Identifies and assesses potential
pharmaceutical safety hazards • Bachelor’s or higher degree in a Association of Regulatory and Clinical
health/science related field or a similar Scientists) is a professional development
Requirements: background in life sciences association for individuals working in the
• Bachelor of Science, Pharmacy or similar • Good understanding of the drug development of therapeutic goods.
degree qualifications development process www.arcs.com.au
• Higher education such as a Master degree • Experience as a clinical trial administrator
is beneficial or clinical trial coordinator Pharmaceutical and Medical Professionals
• Experience working with the TGA • Courses undertaken at ARCS* are highly provide recruitment services to the
• Ability to evaluate technical and legal regarded pharmaceutical, medical, healthcare,
information • Good report writing skills scientific and biotechnology sector.
• Ability to meet and expedite specific www.pmpconnect.com
timelines

Medical writing
Medical writing involves the production of different types of scientific documents including
regulatory and research related publications, disease or drug-related educational and
promotional literature as well as articles for health related journals.
Writers need a clear understanding of the medical Monthly Index of Medical Specialties
concepts and terminology, be able to communicate (MIMS) Australia
scientific information to the target audience and are aware
MIMS publishes medicine information obtained
of relevant guidelines on the structure and contexts of
from a variety of sources including TGA, World Anti-
certain documents. A medical editor’s role is to review a
Doping Agency (WADA), Pharmaceutical Benefits
writer’s work; checking for content accuracy and adherence
Scheme (PBS), Australian Medicines Terminology
to strict editorial guidelines. Positions for medical writers
(AMT) and manufacturing companies to healthcare
and editors are generally not specific for pharmacists;
professionals. It provides a variety of information
individuals from other health and communication
resources e.g. consumer medicines information (CMI)
disciplines compete for these roles.
leaflets which are given by health care professionals
to patients and carers.
Medical writer
NPS MedicineWise
NPS MedicineWise is an independent,
Commissioned evidence‑based and not-for profit organisation which
Medical writing Medical editor
writer provides consumers and healthcare professionals
with practical tools and information about
medications, health conditions and medical tests to
help achieve better health and economic outcomes.
Assistant editor
This organisation publishes Australian Prescriber,
NPS Radar and NPS MedicineWise News.
Medical writing organisations Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA)
The organisations and roles covered in this chapter are
PSA is a national professional pharmacy organisation
not all inclusive. Other organisations, not mentioned here,
representing pharmacists in Australia. It publishes the
may have writing and editing jobs suited to pharmacists’
Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook:
knowledge and skills. The information provided here is a
The everyday guide to pharmacy practice (APF) which
general overview and is subject to change.
is a comprehensive pharmacy practice resource
AusPharm helpful to pharmacy students and pharmacists. PSA
AusPharm consists of a suite of publications incorporating also publishes the Australian Pharmacist which is the
auspharmlist.net.au and auspharmacist.net.au and the organisation’s monthly journal. It contains pharmacy
daily ezine AusPharm(e)news. It keeps pharmacists education and practice features, research papers,
updated on all the recent news and information on health and pharmacy news and information about
pharmacy practice in Australia, including: feature articles, PSA activities. PSA develops and updates Practice
practise ‘pearls’, industry news and links to published media standards and guidelines for pharmacists and is the
coverage of pharmacy news. The AusPharmList discussion custodian of the National Competency Standards
forum – established in 1996–is Australia’s busiest pharmacy Framework for Pharmacists in Australia, written in
related forum. collaboration with pharmacy expert groups.
Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH) Therapeutic Guidelines (TG)

The AMH publishes books and electronic reference TG is an independent not-for-profit organisation
resources with the purpose of improving the quality use that publishes up-to-date therapeutic information
of medicines. The AMH is an evidence-based independent for a range of diseases. The published information
reference, specifically created for healthcare practitioners in is based on the latest evidence and is written by
Australia. All the information is researched and written by multidisciplinary expert groups. Its products include
pharmacists and is peer reviewed by Australian experts and the electronic and print versions of the TG topics.
practising health professionals.

Job positions for pharmacists in medical writing
The organisations listed are not all inclusive. The information for the job positions listed is a guide only and varies from organisation to
organisation; it is correct at time of publication but is subject to change as organisations change internal structures and directions.
Commissioned writer Requirements: Medical editor

Organisations: • Tertiary qualifications in a science or Organisations:
health-related field
• PSA (Australian Pharmacist)(APF) • AMH
• Experience in medical writing
• NPS MedicineWise (Australian Prescriber) • MIMS
• Excellent critical appraisal skills with an in
Examples of commissions: • NPS MedicineWise
depth understanding of evidence-based
• PSA; APF
• Pharmacists may be commissioned to write medicine
• TG
articles in their particular field of expertise • Demonstrated ability to search medical
rather than be employed exclusively as and pharmaceutical literature rigorously Duties:
medical writers. Some organisations will using common databases • Writes, reviews and edits medical
use commissioned writers exclusively while • Ability to interpret clinical study results information or technical information
others may have a mix. • Follows a strict editorial process to
Recommended knowledge/experience/
• The Australian Pharmacist commissions guarantee data integrity and ensures
training:
pharmacists as external authors for content developed is consistent with
CPD articles based on their expertise • Clinical background in medicine,
the publication’s intended purpose and
in designated areas and based on an pharmacy, nursing or allied health
readership
annual CPD program of articles; they profession
• Prepares and finalises manuscripts for
rarely use unsolicited CPD materials in • Research based higher degree (e.g. PhD)
publication of electronic and/or print
their journals. The company may accept in a health-related field
products
PhD research papers regarding pharmacy • Strong project management experience
practice research, which are then peer in commercial and not for profit sectors Requirements:
reviewed and published. • Graduate qualification in pharmacy,
• The Editorial Executive Committee Assistant editor pharmacology, medicine or health
of Australian Prescriber (from NPS Organisation: sciences
MedicineWise) commissions authors with • At least a few years’ of post-graduate
• AusPharm
particular expertise to write articles with experience working in either hospital or
balanced review for Australian Prescriber. Duties: community practice
The Committee does not accept • Scans the mainstream media daily for • Computer literacy including a high
unsolicited articles. A nominal fee is pharmacy related news degree of proficiency in word processing
payable for articles written for Australian • Scans the clinical literature daily for • Ability to perform literature searches, and
Prescriber. pharmacy related research reports/news to interpret the evidence
Requirements: • Writes and uploads ‘news’ items • High level of critical analysis and review
• Edits and uploads submitted articles skills
• Graduate qualification in pharmacy,
pharmacology, medicine or health • Constructs the daily AusPharm(e)news • Previous experience in copy-editing and
sciences • Distributes AusPharm(e)news daily by proof reading (APF)
• Experience in writing at a professional level email Recommended experience/training:
Requirements: • Experience in technical scientific writing
Medical writer and editing at a professional level
• Experience as a pharmacist (or other role
Organisations: in the industry) • Effective verbal and written
• High level knowledge of the pharmacy communication skills
• NPS MedicineWise
industry and is ‘pharmaco-political savvy’ • Well-developed organisational skills
Duties:
• Ability to work to tight timelines
• Writes engaging and accurate material for • High level written communication skills
the organisation’s publications
• Knowledge of and proficiency in a range
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge by of computer software applications,
participating in relevant continuing including the ability to work with and edit
education programs, conferences, images
seminars and workshops
Recommended experience/training:
• Established industry network

Academia
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.
Although academics are required to be able to Learning and teaching

balance heavy administrative loads and keep to • Develops education material
strict deadlines, working within this field can be • Writes new curricula
rewarding and beneficial when transitioning to • Conducts lectures, tutorials, workshops and
other fields of pharmacy such as industry. practice sessions
• Organises and marks assessments
• Responds to student enquiries
• Maintains websites and student portals
• Gains professional development in teaching skills
Research BPharm for e.g. by mentoring or teaching courses
Researcher
supervisor coordinator
Research and innovation
• Supervises postgraduate students
• Employs and supervises research assistants
Workshop tutor Academia Year corrdinator • Discusses area of research at laboratory meetings,
seminars and conferences
• Participates and contributes abstracts for
conferences
Lecturer Course corrdinator • Reads and writes journal articles and books
Community engagement
• Talks to prospective students on information days
at the university
• Visits schools to talk about pharmacy as a career
• Participates in public debate about health
issues for e.g. on television programs, writing an
opinion articles
• Engages in research within the community
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.

Job positions for pharmacists in academia
The information for the job positions listed is a guide only and varies for different education institutions.
Workshop tutor Research supervisor Course coordinator

• Prepares for and organises the efficient • Supervises postgraduate and honours • Responsible for the development and
running of workshops such as allocating students, and meets regularly with them day-to-day operation of a specific course
tasks to each group of students to provide input on their research • Provides students with course syllabus
• Promotes interactive learning among • Works with students or other researchers that covers course objectives, schedule
students in publishing work and assessment requirements.
• Provides workshop feedback to course • Reads and edits manuscripts for • Creates a structured course schedule for
coordinator publication students and staff
• Marks assessments • Writes grants in order to obtain funding • Facilitates course improvement through
• Answers student enquiries for conducting research reflection and student evaluations
• Responds to student enquiries • Sets and grades assessments
Requirements:
• Clinical experience in community and/or Requirements: Requirements:
hospital pharmacy • Understands and appreciates a variety • Pharmacy, medical, science or related
• Familiar with topic areas covered in of different research methods within the degree
workshops broad area of pharmacy practice • PhD
• Teaching experience or mentored by a • Highly recommended to have conducted • Education based qualification e.g.
supervisor research; PhD would be beneficial Graduate Certificate in Educational
• Good communication and leadership • Good time management and Studies is recommended
skills, empathetic and organised organisational skills • Must be knowledgeable of the course
• Usual to be undertaking further studies and content
e.g. Master of Clinical Pharmacy or PhD
Researcher Lecturer Year coordinator

• Assists with the development of • Composes and presents lecture materials • Conducts face-to-face teaching
experiment procedures and ensures high • Marks student assessments • Prepares teaching materials for lectures
standard of care • Updates course material following and tutorials and checks academic
• Involved in data analysis research robustness of own materials and those of
• Works with other researchers in • Provides guidance and advice to students work colleagues
publishing work • Answers student enquiries • Co-ordinates course logistics such as
• Conducts detailed and systematic lecture and assessment arrangements
Requirements:
literature reviews • Provides input into teaching improvements
• Organises ethics committee submissions • Pharmacy, medical, science or related and answers student enquiries
and writes grants to obtain funding for degree • Ensures assessments and assessment
conducting research • Research or clinical experience marks are released on time
• Widely read with content expertise
Requirements: Requirements:
• Experience in presenting lectures and
• Pharmacy, medical, science or related seminars or willing to gain experience • PhD and recommended to have an
degree education based qualification e.g.
• Experience in developing teaching
• Highly recommended to have previously Graduate Certificate in Educational
material for lectures and seminars
conducted research; PhD would be Studies
• Excellent written and verbal
beneficial • Conducted or has interest in educational
communication skills
• Understands and appreciates a variety research
of different research methods within the • Experience working within the
broad area of pharmacy practice Faculty or department of Pharmacy is
• Excellent communication and recommended
interpersonal skills with the ability to work • Experience teaching contents to students
autonomously and as part of a team in the year
• Good time management skills and has • Good understanding of all course
high attention to detail curricula and content

Bachelor/Master of Pharmacy
coordinator
Duties:
• Involved in the development and
teaching of the Bachelor/Master of
Pharmacy curriculum
• Ensures the efficient delivery of the
curriculum
• Collaborates with Unit of Study
coordinators
• Addresses student appeals
• Assists in the recruitment of clinical
educators to run student workshops
• Member of the University committee/s
Requirements:
• Pharmacy, medical, science or related
degree
• PhD
• Extensive teaching experience
• Thorough understanding of the Bachelor/
Master of Pharmacy curriculum
• Understands the available support
services for students

Research
Research in pharmacy practice observes the effectiveness of pharmacists’

contribution to the healthcare system in improving patient health outcomes.
Other areas of research include drug discovery for Job positions for pharmacists in
pharmacotherapy or development of medicinal
devices. This may involve using pharmacology
research
knowledge for product development through The information for the job positions listed is a
formulation modifications of novel drugs in guide only and varies for different organisations,
the approval process from Phase I through to industry and institutions.
Phase IV trials. Professional skills are required in
the application of scientific, medical and new Job opportunities
knowledge for data management and statistical • Hospitals
analysis of findings. • Pharmaceutical industries
• Tertiary institutions
Pharmacists’ role in research studies may include • Examples of research organisations in Sydney:
direct management or oversight as a team member -- Cancer Council
with colleagues of varying backgrounds such as -- The Garvin Institute of Medical Research
medical specialty doctors, statisticians and medical -- The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research
writers. Projects are frequently teamwork orientated -- The Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine
and collaboration with experts in other fields is and Cell Biology
common. There may be opportunities to educate -- The Children’s Medical Research Institute
other professionals and build connections through -- The George Institute of Global Research
long-term communication.
Skills
These research studies are often sponsored by
• High level of attention to detail
universities or other pharmaceutical bodies. There
• Innovative thinking
is a diversity of job opportunities in the research
• Problem solving
sector with flexible working hours, adequate job • Works well in teams
security and income in the upper-mid range. • Good communication
However, there are limited job opportunities in
NSW, with most company headquarters situated Recommended Training requirements
overseas. • Work-experience in research
• Holiday research scholarships
• BPharm (Honours)
• MPharm (Research)
• Master of Philosophy
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Master of Qualitative Health Research
For additional information on training courses
please refer to Further study opportunities on
page 40 of this Guide.

Professional organisations
Professional organisations in pharmacy advocate for the profession to ensure pharmacists

are adequately represented and provide a quality service in the healthcare system.
Organisations may represent certain sectors of Professional organisations

the pharmacy profession and provide advocacy
and services that meet the needs of that sector. The organisations and roles covered in this
Services provided by professional organisations chapter are not exhaustive. Other organisations,
include CPD programs to assist pharmacists not mentioned here, may have positions suited to
maintain competence in their current practice and pharmacists’ knowledge and skills. The information
develop extended models of practice, business and provided here is a general overview and is subject
industrial relations advice, professional indemnity to change.
insurance, and networking and mentoring Australian Association of Consultant
opportunities.
Pharmacy (AACP)
The AACP is jointly owned by the PSA and the PGA.
The AACP was established to develop a national
Clinical program Clinical consultant approach to the practice of consultant pharmacy
Project pharmacist
lead pharmacist
as an expansion of the professional health role of
pharmacy in Australia. As such, it promotes and
seeks recognition for the practice of consultant
Clinical service Professional Practice support pharmacy and the provision of value-added,
specialist organisations pharmacist
professional services in Australia. The AACP, through
its programs and activities, seeks to improve
the overall quantity and quality of pharmacists
Pharmacy liason Programs Quality assurance
Programs manager becoming accredited to conduct medication
officer coordinator pharmacist
reviews and, once accredited, to support those
pharmacists in maintaining and enhancing their
accreditation knowledge and skills.

Australian College of Pharmacy (ACP) Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA)
The institution began as the Australian College of The Guild is a national body that represents
Pharmacy Practice (ACPP) operating since 1978. community pharmacy owners. The Guild seeks to
In July 2004, the ACPP merged with the Australian serve the interests of its members and is committed
Institute of Pharmacy Management Ltd (AIPM) to maintaining a community pharmacy model that
and became the Australian College of Pharmacy supports the delivery of quality health outcomes
Practice and Management; this was renamed as with medications and related services. The Guild
the Australian College of Pharmacy (ACP). ACP’s also negotiates with manufacturers, wholesalers,
objectives include the provision of education, government and other stakeholders involved in the
training and research programs, to define, promote healthcare system of Australia.
and recognise high standards of practice and to
develop and promote the practice of pharmacy.
Society of Hospital Pharmacists of
ACP is authorised by the Australian Pharmacy Australia (SHPA)
Council to accredit CPD activities for pharmacists
The SHPA is the national professional organisation
to be used as supporting evidence of continuing
for over 3,000 pharmacists, provisional pharmacists,
competence.
pharmacy technicians and associates working
NPS MedicineWise across Australia’s health system. The SHPA is
committed to facilitating safe and effective
NPS MedicineWise provides evidence- use of medicines, which is the core business of
based information tools to improve the use pharmacists, especially in hospitals. SHPA supports
of medicines and health technologies. This pharmacists to meet medication and related service
organisation has resources such as medicine needs, so that both optimal health outcomes and
lists, education programs and publications (such economic objectives are achieved for individual
as Australian Prescriber) which are available Australians, for the community as a whole and for
to healthcare professionals in Australia and healthcare facilities.
internationally.
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

(PSA)
The PSA is a national professional pharmacy
organisation representing pharmacists in Australia.
The PSA’s vision is to improve our nation’s health
through excellence in the practice of pharmacy by
providing continuing professional development
(CPD) and practice support. The PSA speaks to
government, regulatory agencies and other bodies
in the health sector on behalf of its members on
topics including health practitioner registration,
pharmacy services in rural and remote areas,
and in-pharmacy immunisation. As a registered
training organisation (RTO), it provides an
extensive program of educational and professional
development activities, including the ITP and other
relevant qualifications for pharmacy assistants,
students and pharmacists.

Job positions for pharmacists in professional organisations
Please note that the roles listed below do not apply to all organisations. The duties and requirements are indicative only and will differ
depending on the organisation.
Program coordinator Programs manager Requirements:

• Graduate qualifications in medicine,
Many organisations run programs such as Pharmacists with high level organisational and
pharmacy, science or related health
intern training, needle syringe exchange, people management skills may find positions
discipline
opioid replacement, where a pharmacist’s as program managers overseeing the delivery • Substantial relevant clinical experience
knowledge would be very beneficial. of programs and managing teams.
Clinical services specialist
Duties: Duties:
• Researches, investigates and analyses • Leads and manages the development, Pharmacists with high level organisational,
issues with regards to program implementation and delivery of the and networking skills and excellent clinical
delivery, implementation and external organisation’s programs and services knowledge may find positions in a clinical
requirements • Develops program resources services role.
• Manages, coordinates and effectively • Reviews material to meet standards and Duties:
runs events and facilitates program requirements set by the organisation and
participation and completion of external • Facilitates educational visits with GPs
responds to enquiries
program requirements and other allied healthcare professionals
• Contributes to publications for literature
on health topics involving quality
• Liaises with, assists and supports relevant reviews and summaries
use of medicines and quality use of
committees for program improvements • Researches and answers program related
medical tests
Requirements: information queries
• Facilitates case-based meetings with GPs
• Degree level qualifications in Pharmacy Requirements: and other allied healthcare professionals
with eligibility for registration in Australia • Degree level qualifications in Pharmacy to provide advice for medication use
or similar health related educational with eligibility for registration in Australia Requirements:
achievement, background or work or similar educational achievement,
• Registered healthcare professional under
experience background and work experience
AHPRA
• Good knowledge or experience in • Knowledge and experience in
• At least 3 years work experience in the
understanding issues, needs and contemporary pharmacy practices
pharmacy field
directions of the pharmacy profession in • Excellent ability to interpret, assimilate
NSW, nationally and internationally • Strong communication skills and positive
and apply theoretical concepts and
attitude
research into practical programs and
Project pharmacist • Exercises strong analytical skills and
initiatives
clinical reasoning
Many organisations run projects which
Clinical program lead
require systematic planning and Clinical consultant pharmacist
coordination; these may be conferences, Pharmacists with high level organisational,
Pharmacists with advanced clinical
courses or the development of education or people management and leadership
knowledge may find opportunities in
practice support material. skills may find positions as overseeing the
consultant roles, to advise on health and
delivery of programs and managing teams.
Duties: medication specific content and resources.
• Supports the development, Duties: Duties:
implementation and delivery of projects • Inputs and reviews clinical content • Develops educational resources
• Delivers Key Performance Objectives of various educational and reflective including: written articles, online
(KPOs) as required to meet the project activities on specific therapeutic areas modules, standards, guidelines and
objectives • Trains a national field force on content guidance documents
Requirements: delivery for Australian health professionals • Reviews written pharmaceutical articles
on therapeutic areas for publication
• Degree level qualifications in Pharmacy
• Presents at various health professional
with eligibility for registration in Australia Requirements:
conferences
or similar educational achievement,
• Responds to clinical queries from the • Degree level qualifications in Pharmacy
background and work experience
trained field force with eligibility for registration in Australia
• Knowledge and experience in
• Liaises with and manages stakeholder • Knowledge and experience in developing
contemporary pharmacy practices
relationships educational resources
• Good project management, interpersonal
• Ability to work collaboratively with other
and communication skills
health professionals

Pharmacy liaison officer Quality assurance pharmacist General manager/Chief
executive officer (CEO)
A liaison role for pharmacists requires Organisations that are Registered Training
excellent communication and negotiation Organisations (RTO) or offer accredited The role of the CEO is to provide support
skills across health sectors and collaboration education require continual monitoring to its board of Directors, and Secretariat
with other healthcare professionals. for compliance with quality assurance. by overseeing the work of the staff and
Familiarity, knowledge and practical volunteers, and facilitating the smooth
Duties:
application of pharmacists’ competencies running of the organisation’s operations in
• Travels extensively throughout NSW accordance with its strategic direction/plan.
are an asset to a role in compliance.
to contact and engage pharmacies in
programs Duties: The key responsibility areas below are
• Promotes and encourages the scheme • Accredits internal and external CPD indicative only. Requirements and attributes
through the provision of education and activities are specific for different organisations and
support to pharmacy staff • Undertakes quality assurance on may change from time to time:
• Introduces the referral to other health published materials • Serves as a spokesperson and
professionals/specialists in the area of • Conducts compliance audits demonstrates leadership
practice • Prepares documentation for external • Ensures sound corporate governance
Requirements: audits through appropriate management of
• Degree level qualifications in Pharmacy budget resources and risk
Requirements:
with eligibility for registration in Australia • Oversees development and
• Current registration as a pharmacist with
or similar educational achievement, implementation of strategic business
AHPRA
background and work experience plans
• Relevant post-graduate qualifications
• Holds a current NSW driver’s licence • Liaises with other professional
(e.g. Certificate IV in Training and
• Knowledge of harm minimisation organisations, government and key
Assessment) are well regarded
principles is an advantage medicine stakeholders
• Able to work independently and attain • Oversees development and
the key performance indicator (KPIs) implementation of policy
required for the position • Ensures the needs of the membership are
• Familiar with any standards and being addressed
legislation related to pharmacy and Key attributes able to be demonstrated:
health practice • Administrative, financial and corporate
governance skills and experience
Practice support pharmacist
• Ability to lead a team of staff
Pharmacists may choose to take on a • Sound verbal and written communication
supporting role in maintaining practice skills
standards for the profession and facilitating • Sound understanding of the needs of the
practice change profession/membership
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

Military pharmacy
Pharmacists play a crucial role in collaborating with other healthcare professionals in

supporting the health and wellbeing of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) staff in the Army
or the Air Force.
Working in the ADF offers a competitive salary, General requirements
subsidised accommodation, free medical treatment
Age:
and travel opportunities. ADF sponsors suitable
• Graduate: 17-56 years old
candidates to complete tertiary studies at an
• Graduate reserve: 17- 60 years old
Australian university after successfully completing
• Specialist reserve: 17- 65 years old
their first full year of study. Successful applicants
• Undergraduate: able to complete degree and
will need to meet general entry requirements
Return of Service Obligation before compulsory
which include passing the aptitude, medical and
retirement age (normally 60 years of age)
fitness assessments. After the completion of tertiary
studies, candidates are required to join the ADF for Australian citizenship
a period of service. Aptitude tests:
• Verbal
Entry
• Spatial
• Full-time officer (undergraduate or graduate)
• Numerical
• Reserve (graduate: Army; specialist: Air Force)
• General mathematics
Medical and fitness assessments:
• Must be medically and physically fit for entry
• Must successfully pass a physical fitness test
Air Force
before enlistment
Military Army pharmacist (Refer to ADF website for further details)
pharmacist
Period of service:
• Undergraduate
-- Length of sponsorship + 1 year
• Graduate
-- Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of
3 years
• Graduate reserve – Army
-- Any length of service up to age of 65 years
• Specialist reserve – Air Force
-- Serves an initial appointment of 5 years
followed by extensions (subject to approval) of
5 year periods

Job positions for pharmacists in military pharmacy
Air Force pharmacist • Specialist reserve: Pharmaceutical officer in the
-- Have a university degree in pharmacy Army
Duties:
(BPharm, MPharm) or equivalent
• Clinical roles: Duties:
-- Have undergone a recognised
-- Provision of pharmacy services graduate training year • Hospital dispensary duties, supervision
including dispensing, monitoring, -- Have at least 2 years post-graduate of pharmaceutical accounts, ordering
evaluation and assurance of safe and experience and stock policy management of
effective use of medications pharmaceuticals, as well as management
-- Be registered with AHPRA. Evidence of
-- Provision of professional advice on of medical equipment and related
registration is required.
medications to patients, prescribers consumables
and other health service personnel Employment training: • Whilst posted to a field unit, pharmacists
-- Development of medication policy for • Successful graduate and undergraduate are responsible for the medical logistics
ADF health facilities applicants must undertake the and may set up their units in remote areas
-- Participation and instruction in health Operational Health Support and the Specific requirements:
training programs Logistics Officer Initial courses and as
their career progresses they will have • Undergraduate:
• Health logistics roles:
the opportunity to undertake additional -- Completed Year 12 with passes in
-- Inventory control for ADF health English and three other Board of
facilities including pharmaceuticals, logistic management and planning
training Secondary School Studies
consumables and equipment
-- Completed the first full year of study of
-- Management of medical, dental and Pay: a full-time pharmacy degree
general equipment for ADF health • Undergraduate • Graduate, Specialist Reserve
facilities -- Students are financially supported by -- Applicants must have the appropriate
-- Supervision of pharmacy and supply the ADF to complete tertiary studies degree in pharmacy from a
staff -- Students’ salary will continue to recognised tertiary institution and be
-- Maintaining deployable health assets, increase following successful registered with AHPRA or undergoing
including field hospitals (Expeditionary completion of each year of study pre‑registration training
Health Facilities) and aeromedical -- Tertiary institution fees, student
evacuation kits Employment Training:
contribution charges, library and
Specific requirements: examination fees, and textbooks are • Successful undergraduate and graduate
paid for by the ADF applicants must undertake a Regimental
• Undergraduate: Officers Basic course
-- Must have completed at least 1 year of -- Receive uniform and service
a 3 or 4 year degree in pharmacy or allowances Pay:
-- At least 2 years of a 5 year degree • Graduate • Undergraduate
majoring in pharmacy from a -- Salary will continue to increase based -- Students are financially supported by
recognised tertiary institution on rank and the number of years of the ADF to complete tertiary studies
• Graduate role: service completed in that rank -- Students’ salary will continue to
-- Have a university degree in pharmacy -- Receive uniform and service increase following successful
(BPharm, MPharm) or equivalent allowances completion of each year of study
-- Have undergone a recognised • Specialist Reserve -- Tertiary institution fees, student
graduate training year -- Receive a daily rate of pay and a reserve contribution charges, library and
-- Be registered with AHPRA. Evidence of allowance examination fees, and textbooks are
registration is required. paid for by the ADF
-- Receive uniform and service
allowances
• Graduate:
-- Salary will continue to increase based
on rank and the number of years of
service completed in that rank
-- Receive uniform and service
allowances
• Specialist Reserve:
Australian Defence Force Jobs -- Receive a daily rate of pay and a reserve
www.defencejobs.gov.au allowance

Government agencies
Occupations in the pharmacy government sector focuses on the impact of the pharmacy
profession on public healthcare through associations in pharmacy law, regulatory affairs and
public policies.
Pharmacists working in this area make decisions to receive payment for the supply of pharmaceutical
that could determine systems on the overall benefits (PBS medicines), approved pharmacists
processes for clinical research and safety of must comply with the National Health Act 1953 and its
medication use. Pharmacists may collaborate with relevant legislative instruments.
other professional agencies to monitor compliance
or practices with laws and regulations and educate
Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC)
early career pharmacists on new policies. The CEC promotes and supports best practice
clinical care, safety and quality across the NSW
Pharmacists in government associated position are
health system by: conducting high-level analysis
often highly experienced, have a strong attention
and reviews that identify risks and opportunities
to detail and understand regulations that could
for improvement; providing expert support,
apply to diverse practice settings. With an expertise
advice, tools and information; and working
in medicines, pharmacists require innovative
collaboratively with patients, clinicians, managers,
thinking skills to help shape and define the practice.
health service partners and the broader community.
They have flexible working hours and receive a
Current programs related to medication safety
competitive income with favourable benefits.
of interest to pharmacists include: High Risk
A career in government health agencies can be
Medicines, Medication Safety Self-Assessment,
competitive as positions may not be specific for
Continuity of Medication Management, Venous
pharmacists and some are available for other
Thromboembolism Prevention, Quality Use of
healthcare professionals.
Antimicrobials and Other Medication Safety and
Accredited Quality Initiatives.
pharmacist
State Government
The State Government is responsible for the
Medicines Government development and amendment of policies and
Officer
inspector agencies guidelines to complement the legislation; to ensure
medicines and poisons are appropriately available
and are supplied in accordance with legislative
Professional officer Manager requirements to minimise harm from these
substances in the community; issue authorities to
medical practitioners to prescribe drugs of addiction
Government agencies and psychostimulants. Other duties include but are
The agencies and roles covered in this chapter are not limited to the investigation of self-administering
not exhaustive. Other agencies, not mentioned health professionals, investigation of inappropriate
here, may have positions suited to pharmacists’ prescribing by medical practitioners, issuance of
knowledge and skills. The information provided authorities for drugs to carry out research, issuance
here is a general overview and is subject to change. of authorities to use highly dangerous poisons, and
issuance of wholesale licences for the supply of
Australian Government – Department drugs and poisons.
of Human Services
NSW Poisons Information Centre
The Department administers the Pharmaceutical
The Poisons Information Centre provides up-to-date
Benefits Scheme (PBS), an Australian Government
and evidence-based information regarding the risk
programme that subsidises the cost of listed
assessment, management and treatment of human
prescription medicines, making it more affordable for
poisoning to the general public and healthcare
all Australians.
professionals. The centre aims to be a focal point

for toxicology education and training, as well as Therapeutic Goods Administration
for clinical research in toxicology and poisons (TGA)
information in Australia.
The TGA regulates therapeutic goods through
Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA) administration of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989
and undertaking:
The PBA is regulated by AHPRA. All pharmacists
• pre-market assessment
must be registered with AHPRA for professional
• post-market monitoring and enforcement of
practice. The Board develops standards, codes,
standards
and guidelines for the pharmacy profession.
• licensing of Australian manufacturers and
The PBA approves accreditation standards and
verifying overseas manufacturers’ compliance
accredited courses of study in pharmacy. In NSW,
with the same standards as their Australian
the Board has a co-regulatory arrangement counterparts.
for the handling of notifications, complaints,
Therapeutic goods are divided broadly into two
investigations and disciplinary hearings with the
classes: medicines and medical devices. Medicines
NSW Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC).
must be entered as either registered or listed
A similar arrangement has now been set up in QLD;
medicines and medical devices must be included
where their arrangement is with the QLD Health
on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods
Ombudsman.
(ARTG) before they may be supplied in or exported
Pharmacy Council of NSW from Australia, unless exempted. If a problem is
discovered with a medicine, device or manufacturer,
The Pharmacy Council of New South Wales (NSW) is the TGA is able to take action. Possible regulatory
a statutory body established to manage complaints actions vary from continued monitoring to
about pharmacists practising in NSW and NSW withdrawing the product from the market. All
pharmacy students, to regulate NSW pharmacy pharmacists can report adverse events to the TGA
premises and to maintain a Register of Pharmacies. using their online forms.
The Health Professional Councils Authority (HPCA) As a pharmacist at the TGA there are opportunities
is a business unit of the Health Administration to apply your technical expertise in areas that
Corporation (HAC) and provides executive and undertake pre-market assessments or post-market
corporate support services to a number of health monitoring of prescription, over-the-counter
professional Councils, including the Pharmacy (OTC) and complementary medicines. The TGA
Council. also employs pharmacists in a range of roles that
The HPCA operates in tandem with AHPRA, which require knowledge of government processes such
is responsible for registering health professionals as communications, policy and parliamentary roles.
across Australia through the National Registration Once a staff member has joined the TGA there
and Accreditation Scheme. may be opportunities to work in different areas.
This includes other roles within the Department
of Health in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Division,
Medical Benefits Division, Office of Chemical Safety
and many more. The TGA employs highly qualified
people including doctors, scientists, biomedical
engineers, pharmacists and other scientific and
technical specialists. The TGA aims to attract and
retain skilled staff and supports a culture of high
performance, continuous learning, and scientific
excellence.

Job positions specific for pharmacists in government agencies
This is not an inclusive list of roles in the agencies mentioned. The type and availability of positions in government agencies is subject
to change.
Pharmacist Officer Requirements:

Government agencies: Therapeutic Goods Government agencies: State Government • Pharmacy degree, or tertiary
Administration qualifications in health related
Duties: discipline with substantial knowledge in
Examples of some of the duties performed: • Undertakes activities and projects to pharmacology
• In the Experimental Products Section inform policy and strategic directions • Significant knowledge and
(EPS), a pharmacist may process with the aim of improving clinical safety, understanding of clinical safety, quality
applications and issue permits for quality and governance within the health and governance issues
accessing therapeutic goods that are not system • Significant knowledge and understanding
approved on the Australian Register of • Issue authorities, carries out of health system at state and national
Therapeutic Goods. investigations, inspections for compliance levels and health policy issues
• A Senior Evaluator in the OTC Medicines with legislation • Experience in managing human and
Evaluation Unit may evaluate applications • Liaise with other regulatory bodies financial resources to deliver quality
relating to OTC medicines and draft OTC • Requirements: outcomes to meet tight deadlines
medicine monographs. • Pharmacy degree, or tertiary
• A Complementary Medicines Technical qualifications in health related Pharmacy advisor (Inspector)
Reviewer may reviewing labelling, discipline with substantial knowledge in Government agencies: Pharmacy Council
product specification (manufacturing pharmacology of NSW
data) and evidence provided by a sponsor • Understanding of clinical safety, quality
in relation to a complementary medicine. and governance issues Duties:
Requirements: • Understanding of health policy issues and • Leads and manages inspection of
the health system at state and national pharmacies throughout NSW to ensure
• Bachelor/Master of Pharmacy degree
levels compliance with provisions of Health
• Registration as a pharmacist with AHPRA
Practitioner Regulation National Law
Manager (NSW) and the Health Practitioner
Compliance pharmacist
Regulation (NSW) 2010
Government agencies: State Government
Government agencies: Department of • Investigates complaints against
Human Services Duties: pharmacists in accordance with the
• Leads and manages a team undertaking Council’s policies and procedures
Duties:
multiple activities and projects to inform • Monitors and provides advice on the
• Involved in advisory services relating to policy and strategic directions and supply and management of Pharmacy
claiming for the supply of PBS medicines improves clinical safety and governance Medicines and Pharmacist Only
• Oversees the delivery of PBS compliance with the health system Medicines to aid in raising standards in
outputs including tactical assessments, • Provides expert advice to the hierarchy the QUM
action plans, correspondence to and key staff on strategic directions, risks, • Provides advice to practising pharmacists
approved pharmacists and audit issues, and trends to facilitate informed regarding their legislative and compliance
outcome reports decision making and ensures issues are responsibilities and effectively
• Conducts analysis and provides specialist resolved or addressed communicates the Council’s policies and
advice to approved pharmacists • Builds and maintains collaborative procedures to stakeholders
regarding PBS programme specific issues relationships with key internal and Requirements:
• Assists in the development and external stakeholders in public and
implementation of PBS audit policies and • Extensive experience in pharmacy
private health systems, state and national
procedures practice and current registration as a
government agencies to influence the
pharmacist
Requirements: development and management of
• Knowledge of pharmacy/pharmacist
strategies, policies, initiatives and the
• Degree qualification in pharmacy regulation and compliance issues
resolution of complex issues
• Registration as a pharmacist with AHPRA • Holder of a current driver’s licence for
• Plans, manages and monitors projects
• Extensive knowledge of the relevant extensive travel throughout NSW
assigned to the team to ensure project
legislation and policies that apply to
outcomes within agreed budgets and
claiming for the supply of PBS medicines
timeframes
• Relevant experience or knowledge of the
practice of pharmacy

Professional officer Job positions not specific to pharmacists in government
Government agencies: Pharmacy Board of agencies
Australia
Medication safety and quality Specialist in poisons
Duties: officer information
• Manages the pharmacy intern
program, by approving supervised Government agencies: Clinical Excellence Government agencies: NSW Poisons
practice applications; contributes to Commission Information Centre
the development and validation of
Duties: Duties:
questions for oral examinations; runs the
oral exams; responds to enquiries from • Manages a medication safety related • Provides clinical information to both
interns and stakeholders; represents project medical personnel and the general
AHPRA and PBA; provides information • Analyses medication incidents and public via the telephone regarding the
to pharmacy students and ITP interns explores contributing factors to these assessment and treatment of poisoning
regarding AHPRA and the Board’s events cases, drug queries and bites and stings
registration requirement • Develops medication related policies, • Advises on the management and
• Responds to verbal and written procedures and safety notices for NSW prognosis of poisonings
enquiries from applicants for registration, Health facilities • Advises on the effects of drugs in
registrants and the public with respect • Organises meetings to engage external pregnancy and lactation
to registration, supervision, ethical and organisations to facilitate information • Answers general queries relating to
professional issues regarding pharmacy sharing poisoning, pesticides and chemical safety
• Prepares agenda papers for the • Provides expert opinion and develops • Accurately records information provided
Board’s Registration and Examinations education resources for various directly into the call record database
Committee to enable them to make medication related issues during the call
informed decisions in accordance with Requirements: • Actively audits Poisons Information
the Board’s standards and guidelines Centre records during each shift
• Degree qualification related to healthcare
Requirements: and/or a minimum length of previous Requirements:
• Registered pharmacist under AHPRA work in the profession where it is a legal • Degree qualification in pharmacy
• Extensive experience in pharmacy or industrial requirement in relation to the or science/ medical science with
practice position pharmacology major
• Solid background in safe medicine • Previous experience in provision of
use, processes involved in quality poisons information or at least two years’
improvement and research methods post graduate experience in clinical
• Good understanding of the NSW Health pharmacy practice
system • Demonstrated ability to accurately assess
• Skills in project management, and interpret medical information
communication and negotiation • Available to work a 24 hour rotating roster
• Computer literacy, in particular
experience in searching medical and drug
information databases and the internet

Senior Poisons Specialist in Program leader for For additional information on training
Research and Audit antimicrobial stewardship courses please refer to Further study
Government agencies: NSW Poisons Government agencies: Clinical Excellence
Information Centre Commission
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

Non-traditional settings
There is a diversity of career options for pharmacists in non-traditional roles.

Career development in other fields beyond health requires further study in other specialties
for example in law or commerce for a dual career.
Pharmacist
attorney
Non-traditional Regulator
Pharmacy investor
settings pharmacist
Health economics
associate/manager

Job positions for pharmacists in non-traditional settings
The examples mentioned below are not an all inclusive list of career options available.
Pharmacist attorney Regulatory pharmacist

Duties: Duties:
• Analyses factors relating to course of • Secures payment for medication from
action for pharmacists health facilities
• Responds to enquiries relating to legal • Provides resources to State associations
liability for professional practice and and authorises reimbursements in the
mitigates issues state
• Opportunities to work in pharma and • Updates and educates pharmacists
regulatory affairs in corporate law on legislations regarding professional
departments practice
• Degree qualification in Law as recognised • Degree qualification in pharmacy and
in Australia registration under AHPRA
• Qualification and experience in the • Knowledge of regulatory policies and
pharmacy field is an advantage procedures
Pharmacy investor Health economics associate/

manager
Duties:
• Provides detailed observation of stocks Duties:
and trades healthcare stocks to make • Prepares submission for Pharmaceutical
profits for clients Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) for
• Uses knowledge of medicines and PBS listing
ability to understand clinical reports • Collaborates with clinical trial groups
and medical research papers to make during trial design
decisions • Develops pharmacoeconomic protocols
• Is up-to-date with health-related news • Liaises with government and patient-
and research reports interest groups
• Degree qualification in Commerce or • Degree or Major in Epidemiology, Public
equivalent experience in Finance Health or Health Economics
• Qualification and experience in the • Qualification and experience in the
pharmacy field is an advantage pharmacy field is an advantage
For additional information on training courses please refer to Further study opportunities
on page 40 of this Guide.

Further study opportunities
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

Asthma Educators Course Compounding courses provided Conduct Immunisation Services
by PCCA within a Community Pharmacy
The Asthma Educators Course provides
Environment Course
health professionals with an in-depth PCCA provides training and education
understanding of asthma and client care. to pharmacy owner members and their This is a nationally accredited course that
Enabling the learner to implement and staff to maintain and enhance their aims to prepare pharmacists to conduct
conduct asthma programs in the workplace profession’s skills at making up preparations immunisation services within a community
and community. It is developed to provide tailored to meet individuals’ needs. The pharmacy. Legislation changes are still
health professionals with an in-depth Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 specifically pending in a number of States of Australia to
understanding of all aspects involved in the allows pharmacists to prepare medicines allow pharmacists to immunise. Pharmacists
care of a person with asthma. for individual patients when a suitable will learn how to prepare a patient for
commercially manufactured product is immunisation, how to prepare and safely
Lung Health Promotion Centre course
unavailable. administer the vaccine and implement first
include the topics: latest advances
aid procedures when necessary.
in management and care, diagnosis, The PCCA Comprehensive Compounding
medication and device use, acute Course (C3) is accredited by the PSA and Course duration: 2 face to face training days
management, asthma and allergy, self is a comprehensive five day program and completion of pre-learning activities
management and adherence strategies, designed for pharmacists, based on
Providers: PGA
emergency management, smoking Australian professional practice standards.
cessation and childhood asthma. Areas of discussion and training include General admission requirements:
compounding techniques, equipment • Pharmacist must be registered with
Asthma Foundation course topics include:
review and use, dosage forms, quality AHPRA and submit a copy of their
pathophysiology, medications and devices, registration certificate before attending
and safety procedures, legal issues and
asthma management strategies, asthma the course
marketing techniques. PCCA also conducts
care in acute settings, introduction to • Must show currency in Provide First
Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)
spirometry, asthma and allergies, childhood Aid (HLTAID003) and Anaphylaxis for
accredited continuing education programs
asthma, adult asthma, educating different Pharmacists courses
in a variety of topics, including pain and
population groups, planning asthma
wound management, nutrition, hormone Graduate Certificate in Applied
interventions and presentation skills and
replacement. Staff at PCCA member Pharmacy Practice
client education.
pharmacies also have access to online
webinars and specialist training programs This certificate builds upon knowledge in
Course duration: 3 days (Lung Health
including Veterinary Compounding. primary healthcare and develops essential
Promotion Centre at The Alfred in
management and strategic skills required
Melbourne), 4 days (Asthma Foundation in
Course duration: variable in contemporary pharmacy practice.
South Australia (SA) and Asthma Foundation
Provider: PCCA Qualification is assessed as part of the
in Western Australia (WA)). The Alfred also
PSA ITP
offers courses in Smoking cessation, COPD,
General admission requirements:
HIV and Respiratory. Course duration: 6 months – 2 years
• Member of PCCA
(full‑time)
Providers: Asthma Foundation SA, Asthma
Foundation WA, Lung Health Promotion Providers: PSA
Centre at The Alfred in Melbourne
General admission requirements: • Applicant must be a pharmacy graduate
• Asthma Foundation SA and WA: Health participating in the PSA ITP
professionals, allied health professionals
or pharmacists/pharmacy assistants
who have asthma education as part of
their role.
• Lung Health Promotion Centre:
Registered health professionals

Graduate Diploma of Applied Master of Clinical Pharmacy Medication Management Review
Pharmacy Practice (MMR) accreditation
This course allows students to develop skills
This course is beneficial for pharmacists in evidence-based practice, quality use of MMR is a health service for pharmacists
throughout their career and course medicine, practice-based research, and to enhance continuity of care by ensuring
knowledge is transferable to a wide range provision of clinical pharmacy services at a medication use is optimal and fully
of management and leadership roles. high level. understood. Comprehensive information
Participants will acquire advanced practical about the consumer and their medicine
Course duration: 2-4 years part time
skills to lead real practice change, manage use is collated and assessed to resolve
(equivalent to 1 year full time) (MU),
professional services, communicate with medication-related needs, resolve and
1.5 years (full time or part-time equivalent)
influence and deliver better patient care. prevent possible complications. There are
(UQ, CU & UniSA)
only two professional bodies in Australia able
Course duration: 1–2 years
Providers: MU (online), UQ (online), to accredit pharmacists to undertake MMRs
Provider: PSA CU (on campus), UniSA (online and and they are the AACP and SHPA.
attendance at compulsory workshops
General admission requirements: Accreditation through the AACP, involves
held in Adelaide or Singapore).
• Registered pharmacist pharmacists meeting eligibility criteria and
Admission requirements: completing Stage One (preparatory training)
Graduate Certificate in before lodging application for AACP’s Stage
• Applicant must hold a Bachelor of
Pharmacy Practice Two Accreditation Assessment process
Pharmacy degree or equivalent
A part-time postgraduate course with • Pharmacist registered with AHPRA
Stage One Training Workshop aims
two study pathways designed for either • An Australian Qualifications Framework
pharmacy interns or registered pharmacists. (AQF) level 8 qualification in pharmacy • Prepares participants for the AACP MMR
(e.g. Bachelor of Pharmacy with Honours accreditation assessment process
This course is an extension for pharmacists
or Graduate Certificate or Graduate • Provides participants with an
to develop exceptional skills relevant
Diploma) or equivalent (MU) understanding of the MMR process,
to contemporary pharmacy practice in
• Proof of English language proficiency and knowledge and skills required to
Australia. successfully undertake a MMR
(if applicable) (MU & CU)
Course duration: 2 years (part-time) • Appropriate honours degree or relevant It is recognised that some candidates
postgraduate diploma with above average require updating of their clinical and
Providers: USYD & MU grades (CU)
pharmacotherapy knowledge. However,
General admission requirements: • Experience in a direct patient care
Stage One courses are not intended to
environment
• Applicant must hold a Bachelor’s degree provide substantial clinical education.
or higher award in Pharmacy or equivalent -- A minimum of one year’s work
Candidates should be encouraged to
qualification experience as a registered pharmacist,
self-assess their competency in these areas
preferably with experience in hospital
• Applicant must be planning to commence and undertake self-directed education and
pharmacy, is also required (CU)
internship (pre-registration) practical courses in these areas if necessary.
training under AHPRA within 90 days of -- Working in a clinical setting in
commencing the course OR candidate is an Australian or New Zealand Course duration: 2 full days (PSA & PGA)(face
already a registered pharmacist Hospital (MU)
to face programs), 3 months (ACP)(Online)
Admission requirements for Pharmacy Providers: PSA, PGA, ACP and many other
interns (MU): organisations
• An Australian bachelor of pharmacy
(Australian Qualifications Framework General admission requirements:
(AQF) level 7 qualification); or • Registered pharmacist or Intern
• A New Zealand bachelor of pharmacy; or pharmacist
• Successful completion of APC (Australian
Pharmacy Council) requirements if the
applicant is an overseas practitioner from
a country other than New Zealand.
Admission requirements for registered
pharmacists:
• An Australian bachelor of pharmacy
(Australian Qualifications Framework
(AQF) level 7 qualification) or equivalent.
• Registered as a pharmacist.
Stage Two Accreditation assessment
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)

• Fully registered pharmacist with appropriate
experience
• Completed Stage 1 (Preparatory) Course
SHPA accreditation for medication reviews differs
from the MMR accredited by AACP. Prior to issuing an
initial accreditation certificate of one year’s duration,
pharmacists must provide a written commitment
confirming their intention to complete annual
reaccreditation requirements.
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)
• 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
-- Master of Clinical Pharmacy or Master of
Pharmacy Practice plus meeting credentialing
criteria from a NAPE university

Business
Certificate IV in Small Business Diploma of Management Pharmacy Ownership Ready

Management Series Seminar
Designed for those who would like to
This course is designed to help students become a manager of a business or are This seminar is designed to help prepare
work towards setting-up and running their currently in a management position in their first-time pharmacy owners in buying a
own business or taking on a management workplace and want to develop or improve pharmacy, offer advice on how to proceed
role. Delivers training in a range of key their management skills. Delivers training in a purchase and share knowledge about
skills such as: legal and risk management, in a range of performance areas: innovation the market
financial management, operations and leadership, people management,
Course duration: 6 hours
management, work priorities and people marketing and customer service and
management business management. Providers: Medici Capital
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.
General admission requirements: Course duration: 2 years (full-time) (ANU),

• Applicants need to be currently working, 1.5 years (full-time) (or part-time equivalent)
or intending to work, in a facilitating or or 2 years (full-time) (or part-time
tutoring role equivalent) (UQ)
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

Research
Bachelor of Pharmacy Master of Philosophy Doctor of Philosophy

(Honours) (Pharmacy) (Pharmacy)
Honours option is an opportunity for This degree is awarded on the successful A doctoral degree is awarded for research
meritorious candidates to experience examination of a thesis based on original conducted independently at a high level
a career in research by completing an research. The coursework component of originality and quality. Research should
alternative set of units of study in their consists of a Research Methods unit of study. uncover new knowledge either by the
degree and participating in a research Candidates are to carry out supervised discovery of new facts, the formulation of
project. research on a topic approved by the Faculty theories or the innovative re-interpretation
on the recommendation of the head of the of known data and established ideas.
Course duration: 4 years (full-time)
discipline and write a thesis embodying the Some research areas include cancer,
Providers: USYD, UoN, CSU results of the research. cardiovascular and diabetes, mental health,
healthy ageing and respiratory disease.
General admission requirements: Course duration: 1–2 years (full-time), 2–4
Research may also extend to studies in
• Candidates to be of no more than three years (part-time)
drug discovery, development and delivery
years standing, and have no fail or absent
Providers: USYD, UoN to patient counselling and education in
fail results
pharmacy. At the end of the course, the
• Candidates must have achieved General admission requirements:
exceptional academic results and/or have candidate will be expected to submit
• Applicant must have a bachelor’s degree
previous research experience as deemed a thesis.
with first or second class honours from
commendable by the university the University of Sydney in pharmacy or Course duration: 3–4 years (full-time),
• Successful students must obtain credit science 6–8 years (part-time)
average marks to progress throughout • Applicant may have a bachelor’s degree
the program from another approved institution Providers: USYD, UoN, UTS
without honours if the candidate has General admission requirements:
Master of Pharmacy (Research)
previous research experience from a
• Candidate must have a relevant
The course is intended for students who professional/employment capacity or
bachelor’s degree with honours (class 1
wish to pursue a career in pharmacy previous higher education study
or class 2) or equivalent qualification, or a
research or gain competitive advantage • Applicant will be required to provide
master degree with a minor thesis
in their career by completing additional certified academic transcripts, a CV,
• Applicant may be admitted if they have
academic references, a research proposal,
postgraduate qualification. Students gain previous research experience from a
a one page cover letter outlining reasons
research training and skills while developing professional or employment capacity or
for application and proof of Australian
extensive knowledge and expertise in an previous higher education study
residency status
area of research. • Head of the department must certify the
proposed course of advanced study and
Course duration: 2 years (full-time) or 4 years research and deem it appropriate and
(part-time) acceptable, with relevant supervisory,
resources and facilities to be able to
Providers: UTS
complete the course
• Applicants must have completed a
bachelor’s or equivalent or higher
qualification
• Applicants must have other evidence of
general and professional qualifications
that demonstrates potential to pursue
graduate research studies

Master of Qualitative Health Pharmaceutical Medicine Master of Radiopharmaceutical
Research Science
The program is designed for participants
The course educates students to become wishing to pursue careers that are related to The program trains graduates with a
qualitative researchers; to observe, interview, the development and safe use of medicines. chemistry, pharmacy/pharmacology or
conduct focus groups and examine related Students examine issues relating to the biomolecular sciences background for the
documents of data. Students will study formulation of new medicines, focusing on use of radiopharmaceuticals in diagnostic
qualitative research methodologies, analysis the quality of the product by examination and therapeutic medicine. Graduates will
and writing and the designing of research of impurities and stability of medication. be able to perform common analytical
projects. At completion of this degree, The program educates on methods of techniques for the application of chemistry
graduates may pursue a career in health assessment and prevention of adverse in medicine and also understand the
promotion, policy making or research thesis. events, reporting responsibilities, use of requirements for gaining accreditation of
The Graduate Certificate in Qualitative safety information databases, protection of laboratories and control processes.
Health Research (1–3 years part-time) is intellectual property and use of statistics
Course duration: 2 years (full-time), 4 years
embedded in the degree. throughout the drug development process.
(part-time)
Course duration: 1.5 years (full-time), up to Course duration: 2 years (part-time only)
Providers: MQ
3 years (part-time)
Providers: UNSW
Providers: USYD
General admission requirements: • Australian level 7 bachelor’s qualification
General admission requirements: • Applicant should have a recognised three or recognised equivalent
• Applicants must have a bachelor degree year undergraduate degree in a related
in a related discipline including health discipline which is defined as a degree
sciences, allied health, medicine, nursing, in one of the following: biomedical/
pharmacy, psychology, humanities, biological sciences, pharmacy, nursing,
arts, law, social sciences, political veterinary science, chemistry/medicinal
sciences, policy analysis, international chemistry, medicine
development, social work, marketing,
communication, journalism, education, Master of Pharmaceutical
from the University of Sydney or Medicine
equivalent qualification
The degree builds on knowledge of drug
Graduate Certificate in development by giving the opportunity
Pharmaceutical Medicine for students to specialise in an area of
interest within pharmaceutical medicine.
The course educates on core skills relevant Areas of interest include therapeutics
to understanding the early stages of drug and molecular basis of disease, advanced
development. It focuses on drug discovery pharmaceutical development in
and developmental issues relating to codes medicines, pharmacoeconomics, advanced
of practices, standards and regulation of pharmacokinetics, therapeutic basis of
medicines in Australia. There is an emphasis drug use and development, advanced
upon Administrative Law and review of regulatory affairs and advanced clinical trials
regulatory decisions provided by the management.
Therapeutic Goods Act.
Course duration: 3 years (part-time)
Course duration: 2 years (part-time only)
Providers: UNSW
Providers: UNSW
• Applicant should have:
• Applicant should have a three year -- A recognised three year bachelor
undergraduate degree or relevant degree in a cognate discipline plus
experience in the pharmaceutical relevant industry experience OR
industry
-- A four year undergraduate degree OR
-- Higher qualifications in a cognate
discipline
Graduate Diploma in

Health studies
Master of Clinical Epidemiology Graduate Diploma in Health Master of Health Management

Communication
This degree focuses on public health This program provides students with
by educating students on how to This program is an extension from knowledge, skills and attributes required
conceptualise, design and carry out the Graduate Certificate in Health to undertake senior managerial roles in
epidemiological research addressing Communication. The diploma delivers core health services. The course focuses on
priority health concerns in both clinical and media skills to help the candidate become strategic planning, quality and safety
community settings. The course prepares an effective communicator across health improvement and monitoring and policy
students to work in healthcare service to and medicine, public affairs, public relations, making. Completing this program qualifies
avoid communicable epidemics or for other community relations and journalism. for careers in hospital and community
career pathways in research, academia or healthcare services, aged care services,
Course duration: 1 year (full-time), up to
policy advising. Ministries and Departments of Health,
4 years (part-time)
government agencies and private
Course duration: 1–2 years (full-time)
Providers: USYD organisations.
Providers: UoN
General admission requirements: Course duration: 1 year (full-time)
General admission requirements: • Applicant must have a bachelor’s degree
Providers: UNSW
• Applicant should have a relevant degree with a minimum 60% average calculated
in health over the whole degree, or an equivalent General admission requirements:
• In some circumstances, applicants qualification • Applicants are required to have a
holding acceptable academic or degree in a health-related or public
Master of Health
professional qualifications with relevant health-related discipline and ONE of the
Communication
work experience may be admitted following:
This course delivers core media skills to -- Honours or postgraduate qualification
Graduate Certificate in Health in a health-related or public
help the candidate become an effective
Communication health‑related discipline OR
communicator across health and medicine,
This certificate delivers core media skills to public affairs, public relations, community -- Two years full-time professional
help the candidate become an effective relations and journalism. Embedded courses experience in a health discipline,
communicator across health and medicine, including as a volunteer or equivalent
in this degree include: Graduate Certificate
experience acquired as part of a degree
public affairs, public relations, community in Health Communication and Graduate
of four or more years duration
relations and journalism. Diploma in Health Communication.
• In exceptional circumstances,
Course duration: 6 months (full-time), 1 year Course duration: 1.5 years (full-time), up to applications will be considered for
(part-time) 6 years (part-time) entry where the applicant has extensive
professional health-related or public
Providers: USYD Providers: USYD health-related experience but does not
hold a formal qualification in a relevant
General admission requirements: General admission requirements:
discipline
• Applicant must have a bachelor’s degree • Applicants should have a bachelor’s
from a recognised educational institution degree with a minimum credit (65%)
with a major in a relevant subject area in average calculated over the whole degree
the humanities, social sciences or public from the University of Sydney, or an
health, or an equivalent qualification equivalent qualification
• Applicants with relevant recent • Completion of the requirements for
professional qualifications and experience the embedded Graduate Certificate
of at least 3 years duration may be or Graduate Diploma in Health
assessed as suitable for admission by Communication with a minimum credit
the Dean (65%) average, or equivalent qualification

Health policy
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
Providers: USYD, UTS initiate steps in defining and alleviating these
graduate studies.
issues using various services available.
• 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.
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
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
• Applicants have a bachelor’s degree, or
equivalent qualification and a minimum
of 1 years work experience in a policy
related field OR

Master of Public Health Master of Health Law
For more information from
This course takes a comprehensive This degree is a specialist postgraduate course providers
assessment of all determinants of health and qualification providing wide-ranging
Asthma Australia
aims to improve the health of populations interdisciplinary coverage of contemporary
www.asthmaaustralia.org.au
through knowledge, values, actions and legal and social issues in healthcare.
outcomes. Students will be exposed to The course may be of interest to lawyers with Australian Association of Consultative
public health values, decision-making, a health/professional liability service, as well Pharmacists (AACP)
practice and policy studies. There is a variety as other eligible healthcare professionals. The www.aacp.com.au
of specialisations available for focus in the program is an opportunity to utilise dialogue
Australian College of Pharmacy (ACP)
units of study list for this course. Graduates between legal and health professions about
www.acp.edu.au
from this degree can work in public health legislative and ethical issues of relevance to
research to examine health trends or focus both practice and administration. Embedded Australian National University (ANU)
towards educating health information. courses include: Graduate Diploma in Health www.anu.edu.au
Embedded courses: Graduate Diploma in Law and Graduate Diploma in Public Health Charles Sturt University (CSU)
Public Health Law. www.csu.edu.au
Course duration: 1 year (full-time)/up to Course duration: 1 year (full-time), 2 years Macquarie University (MQ)
6 years (part-time) (USYD), 1 year (full‑time) (part-time) www.mq.edu.au
(UNSW), 2 years (full-time)/4 years (part‑time)
Providers: USYD Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA)
(UWS)
General admission requirements: www.psa.org.au
Providers: USYD, UNSW, UWS, UoN
• Applicant requires a bachelor’s degree Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA)
General admission requirements: with a minimum credit average from www.guild.org.au
• Applicants must have completed a the University of Sydney in law, medical
bachelor’s degree in public health, science, medicine, nursing or other Premium Health
medicine, medical science, nursing, allied appropriate discipline as determined by www.premiumhealth.com.au
health, dentistry, veterinary science, the Faculty, or an equivalent qualification
Professional Compounding Chemists of
education, communication, science, policy • Applicant may be considered if they
Australia (PCCA)
analysis, government, law, commerce and have a completion of the requirements
of an embedded graduate diploma with www.pccarx.vom
many others for admission
• In exceptional circumstances, the Dean a minimum credit average or equivalent University of Newcastle (UoN)
may admit applicants without these qualification www.newcastle.edu.au
qualifications who have other evidence of
experience and achievement sufficient to University of New South Wales (UNSW)
successfully undertake the award www.unsw.edu.au
University of Queensland (UQ)

www.uq.edu.au/study
University of Sydney (USYD)

www.sydney.edu.au
University of Technology (UTS)

www.uts.edu.au
University of Western Sydney (UWS)

www.uws.edu.au

Glossary
AACP Australian Association of Consultative Pharmacists HCP Healthcare professional

ABN Australian Business Number HECS- Higher Education Contribution Scheme-Higher
ACNM Advisory Committee of Non-prescription Medicines HELP Education Loan Program
ACP Australian College of Pharmacy HMR Home Medicines Review
ACPP Australian College of Pharmacy Practice HPCA Health Professional Councils Authority
ADF Australian Defence Force HSC Higher School Certificate
AHPA Allied Health Professionals Australia HSU Health Services Union
AHPRA Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency IELTS International English Language Testing System
AHS Aboriginal Health Service IMPS Initial Minimum Period of Service
AIPM Australian Institute of Pharmacy Management INR International Normalised Ratio
AMH Australian Medicines Handbook ITP Intern Training Program
AMT Australian Medicines Terminology KPI Key Performance Indicator
ANU Australian National University KPO Key Performance Objectives
APC Australian Pharmacy Council MBBS Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
APEC Australian Pharmacy Examining Council MCAT Medical College Admission Test
APF Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook MIMS Monthly Index of Medical Specialties
APP Australian Pharmacy Professional (conference) MMR Medication Management Review
APPFSC Advanced Practice Pharmacist Framework Steering MPharm Master of Pharmacy
Committee MSL Medical Science Liaison
AQF Australian Qualifications Framework MQ Macquarie University
ARTG Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods MU Monash University
ATAR Australian Tertiary Admission Rank NAHRLS Nursing and Allied Health Rural Locum Scheme
BPharm Bachelor of Pharmacy NAPE National Alliance for Pharmacy Education
CAE Certificate in Advanced English NCSFPA National Competency Standards Framework for
CEC Clinical Excellence Commission Pharmacists in Australia
CEO Chief Executive Officer NDSS National Diabetes Services Scheme
CMI Consumer Medicines Information OTC Over The Counter
CPA Community Pharmacy Agreement OTP Opioid Treatment Program
CPAP Continuous Positive Airway Pressure PBA Pharmacy Board of Australia
CPD Continuing Professional Development PBAC Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee
CPE Continuing Professional Education PBS Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
CSP Commonwealth Supported Place PCCA Professional Compounding Chemists of Australia
CSU Charles Sturt University PD Professional Development
CU Curtin University PGA Pharmacy Guild of Australia
DAAs Dose Administration Aids PhARIA Pharmacy Access/ Remoteness Index of Australia
EPS Experimental Products Section Pharma Pharmaceutical industry
GAMSAT Graduate Australian Medical Admissions Test PhD Doctor of Philosophy
GCRP Good Clinical Research Practice PHN Primary Health Network
GP General Practitioner PI Product Information
GPA Grade Point Average PII Professional Indemnity Insurance
HAC Health Administration Corporation PPI Pharmacy Practice Incentives

PSA Pharmaceutical Society of Australia
PTE Pearson Test of English
QCPP Quality Care Pharmacy Program
QoL Quality of Life
QUM Quality Use of Medicines
RITA Rural Intern Training Allowance
RMMR Residential Medication Management Reviews
RPSS Rural Pharmacy Scholarship Scheme
RTO Registered Training Organisation
RUM Return of Unwanted Medicines
SHPA The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia
STAT Special Tertiary Admissions Test
TG Therapeutic Guidelines
TGA Therapeutic Goods Administration
TOEFL Test of English as a Foreign Language
UNE University of New England
UniSA University of South Australia
UNSW University of New South Wales
UoN University of Newcastle
UQ University of Queensland
USYD University of Sydney
UTS University of Technology Sydney
UWS University of Western Sydney
VET FEE- Vocational Education and Training Fee Higher
HELP Education Loan Program
WADA World Anti-Doping Agency
WAM Weighted Average Mark

pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd.
ABN 49 008 532 072
National Office Australian Queensland Tasmania

Pharmacy House Capital Territory PACE 161 Campbell Street
44 Thesiger Court 44 Thesiger Court Level 3, West Wing Hobart TAS 7000
Deakin ACT 2600 Deakin ACT 2600 20 Cornwall Street E: tas.branch@psa.org.au
PO Box 42 PO Box 42 Dutton Park QLD 4102
Victoria
Deakin West ACT 2600 Deakin West ACT 2600 PO Box 6120
Level 1, 381 Royal Parade
P: 02 6283 4777 E: act.branch@psa.org.au Buranda QLD 4102
Parkville VIC 3052
F: 02 6285 2869 E: qld.branch@psa.org.au
New South Wales E: vic.branch@psa.org.au
E: psa.nat@psa.org.au 82 Christie Street South Australia
western australia
Branch Contact Details St Leonards NSW 2065 Suite 7/102
21 Hamilton Street
PSA4606
P: 1300 369 772 PO Box 162 Greenhill Road

Subiaco WA 6008
F: 1300 369 771 St Leonards NSW 1590 Unley SA 5061
E: wa.branch@psa.org.au
E: nsw.branch@psa.org.au E: sa.branch@psa.org.au

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Pharmacy careers guide 2015

PSA Project team

© Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd., 2015

Introduction to the pharmacy profession 4

Entry into pharmacy 6

Further study opportunities 40

Pharmacy careers guide I © Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd. 3

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Education pathway for pharmacists Pharmacy career areas

Entry into pharmacy through Government Non-traditional

Teritary pharmacy study in

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In NSW, a number of universities offer pharmacy degrees at bachelor and/or master

Admission into Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm)

University Course Admission requirements

Charles Sturt 4 years • ATAR plus criteria (optional supplementary application)

University of New 4 years • 87.20 (2014 ATAR cut-off )

University of 4 years • 87.55 (2014 ATAR cut-off )

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University of 2 years • Completed a bachelor’s degree

For more information

University of New England

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Pharmacist registration allows pharmacists to work

PGA NAPE PSA

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The Guild ITP is offered in Queensland,

Cost: $1,856 (for 2014 year)

For more information

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA)

Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA)

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Professional Pharmacist Pharmacist in

Advanced practice Community Pharmacist

Locum pharmacist Proprietor

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Pharmacist employee Pharmacist manager Locum pharmacist

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Pharmacists in hospitals actively contribute to the overview of medication use in the

Public hospital groups Pharmacist grades

(Darlinghurst), Royal North Shore, St George, the Pharmacy Board of Australia

Concord, Westmead, Royal Prince Alfred

Sydney Children’s Hospital)

Hospital (Westmead), Liverpool, Nepean, at this level

Pharmacy for the management and efficient

performance of a specific unit or function of

Katoomba, Griffith Base, Orange, Bathurst

Macquarie, Armidale, Tweed Heads/ and Deputy Director of Pharmacy Group 1

Rehabilitation, Royal South Sydney, War

Memorial Waverly, Bowral, Cootamundra,

Grafton, Mono Vale, Cowra, Royal Hospital for

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Clinical pharmacist • Community liaison* • Outpatient*

Clinical trials Compounding Drug use evaluation

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Australian pharmacies are categorised using the Pharmacy Access/Remoteness Index of

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Rural Pharmacy Workforce Program 5th Community Pharmacy Agreement

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Medical affairs Clinical research

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