The period of practical training prescribed by the Pharmacists
Regulations 1992 is 2280 hours of which at least 1824 must be served as a
pre-registrant under articles, while the remainder may be served during
undergraduateship without being articled. It is considered most desirable for
students to complete the first 456 hours of training prior to attempting the
Pharmacy IV examination. In all circumstances the practical training must
be served in continuous periods of not less than 132 hours or more than 180
hours, in any four-week period with the one tutor. The minimum number of
training hours approved under one tutor is 152 hours.
The board will approve the whole period of practical training to be undertaken
in a community pharmacy, a Friendly Society dispensary, or a hospital (public,
private, veterans or military). The board will approve a maximum 1368 hours
undertaken in a school of pharmacy, a university department of pharmacology or
the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. If electing to train in these areas,
a pre-registrant must complete a minimum of 912 trainee hours in community
pharmacy, a Friendly Society pharmacy or hospital pharmacy department before
being eligible to sit the registration examination.
The tutor for each pre-registrant and the premises where the practical training
is to be carried out are required to be approved by the board in each
particular case.
The board encourages undergraduates and graduates to obtain practical training
in more than one area of pharmacy practice. This offers a broader and more
valuable experience in practical training.
Pre-registrants must undertake a traineeship program approved by the board. The
Chapter of Pharmacy Practice Tutors of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia
(Victorian Branch) Ltd currently conducts an approved traineeship program.
Graduates who wish to proceed to registration as a pharmacist are advised to
read guidelines 201 and 202 on 'Registration' in the current edition of the
Pharmacy Board of Victoria's Guidelines for Good Pharmaceutical Practice.
Applicants for registration as a pharmacist are required to hold a current level 2, basic first-aid course certificate, or other first-aid course acceptable to the board, and to produce evidence of successful completion of an approved management course.
Articles of traineeship may only be entered into after passing the Pharmacy IV examination. The form of agreement, which must be completed in triplicate, is available from the office of the board. A statutory fee is charged for the registration of articles of traineeship.
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