The period of practical training prescribed by the Pharmacists Regulations 2003 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 fourth-year Bachelor of Pharmacy examination. In all circumstances, the practical training must be served in continuous periods of not less than 90 hours or more than 135 hours, in any four-week period with the one preceptor. The minimum number of training hours approved under one preceptor is 114 hours.
The board will approve the whole period of practical training to be
undertaken in a community pharmacy, a Friendly Society pharmacy, or a hospital
(public, private, veterans or military). The board will approve a maximum 1368
hours undertaken in a school of pharmacy 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 preceptor 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 the traineeship program of the Chapter of
Pharmacy Practice Tutors of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (Victorian
Branch) Ltd or other course of practical training approved by the board.
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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