Undergraduate handbook 2005 - Pharmacy

Traineeship

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 examinations. 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 either:

• pre-registration training program offered by the Faculty of Pharmacy - the Graduate Certificate in Pharmacy Practice (four units of postgraduate study), or two single-unit enrolments within this course for adequate preparation toward the registration examination
• the traineeship program of the Chapter of Pharmacy Practice Tutors of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (Victorian Branch) Ltd
• or another 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 under `Registration' in the current edition of the Pharmacy Board of Victoria's Guidelines for Good Pharmaceutical Practice.

First-aid/management training

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

Articles of traineeship may only be entered into after passing the fourth-year Bachelor of Pharmacy 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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