Skip to main content
Unit outline_

PHAR4100: Clinical Placement C

Semester 1, 2024 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The clinical experience program in the undergraduate Pharmacy programs reflects the contemporary healthcare environment. The placements are carried out at hospital and community pharmacies, and include opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, professional organisations and in rural health settings. By the completion of their course, at least one of those placements will be in a hospital setting. Students can expect that at least one of their placements may be outside of the Sydney metropolitan area, potentially in a rural location. Students must undertake their placements in geographical areas that will provide them with a diverse range of professional experience and can expect to travel up to 1.5 – 2 hours to their placement site from their residential address (registered in Sydney Student). Clinical Placement C (PHAR4100) is a continuation of Clinical Placements A and B (PHAR3100), where students are provided opportunities to observe and participate in real­ life application of theory and skills learned during on ­campus course work. Students will have the opportunity to gain experience in practice and knowledge of a variety of professional settings.The overall objectives of the Clinical Placements Program are to familiarise students with their future professional roles and working environments, and to develop professional skills and behaviours. Students will be required to maintain an Portfolio across the Clinical Placements Program of their placement experiences, and attend on ­campus debriefing sessions. Students will also be evaluated by their preceptors on their professional performance during placement as part of the Preceptor Assessment.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Pharmacy
Credit points 0
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Claire O'Reilly, claire.oreilly@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Claire O'Reilly, claire.oreilly@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation hurdle task Debrief Session
Facilitated peer-to-peer learning activity (post-placement).
0% Multiple weeks 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO7 LO6
Skills-based evaluation hurdle task Preceptor assessment
Skills assessment completed by preceptor
50% Multiple weeks 1 page
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
Placement hurdle task Placements
Block: 19 February - 1 March 2024 Weekly: 4 March 2024 - 17 May 2024
0% Multiple weeks 10 Working days (35 hours per week)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment hurdle task Portfolio
Components: 1. EPA Checklist 2. QUM Report 3. Reflective Diary
50% Multiple weeks 10 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO6
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

 

All three criteria below must be met to pass the UoS.

1. Completion of all placement hours.

2. Score of at least 50% on the portfolio.

3. Score of at least 50% on the preceptor evaluation.

Preceptor assessment: Your preceptor will assess your performance during the placement

Placement Participation: Placements are from Monday – Friday, satisfactory participation is required.

ePortfolio: which will comprise of:

  1. a reflective diary 
  2. EPA (Entrustable Professional Activity) self assessment
  3. QUM (Quality Use of Medicines) case or project report

Submission is due 2 weeks after the placements.

Block Placement Portfolio due 15/3/2024 at 11:59pm

Weekly Placement Portfolio due 31/5/2024 at 11:59pm 

WHS/Confidentiality forms:  need to be submitted on the first day of placement via SONIA

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

 

 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades set out in the Coursework Policy (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result code

Result name

Mark range

Description

SR

Satisfied requirement

No mark

To be awarded in units of study where student achievement is measured as a pass or fail only without a mark to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.

FR

Failed Requirements

No mark

To be awarded in units of study where student achievement is measured either as Satisfied Requirements or Failed Requirements only, without a mark to students who, in the their performance in assessment tasks, fail to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard established by the faculty.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Clinical Placements - 10 day block (minimum 30 min break per day), or 10 x weekly (1 day per week) Clinical practice (70 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Debrief Session Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week -01 Briefing Lecture Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Weekly Learning independently including pre-work, reports and assignments Independent study (38 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Completion of practicum hours and debrief participation is compulsory. Students are required to attend at least 85% of the compulsory sessions in any unit of study. Students must attend the allocated placement sites and times as indicated in SONIA. 
  • Materials: Professional attire is required for attendance at all placement sites. Students will have already obtained a Pharmacy Placement Shirt for previous placements as part of PHAR3100 Clinical Placement A/B. This shirt is expected to be worn at all times while on placement. Students may wear attire with their Pharmacy Placement Shirt. Casual clothes, jeans, sneakers or running shoes are not acceptable. Furthermore, students in inappropriate attire may be asked to leave the premises. Students are advised to seek clarification from preceptors about particular requirements at specific placement sites.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library Reading lists available on Canvas.

  • Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. R. Walker & C. Whittlesea (5th Edition. 2012).
  • Australian Medicines Handbook. Current edition
  • Therapeutic Guidelines (TG). Victorian Drug Usage Advisory Committee, North Melbourne, VIC, Current editions.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. communicate effectively with patients, families, carers and other health care professionals
  • LO2. apply a systematic reasoning process to address a range of health and drug-related problems that present in pharmacy
  • LO3. provide patient education in relation to medicines and therapeutic and monitoring devices
  • LO4. demonstrate appropriate attitudes and values in personal and professional dealings and business practice
  • LO5. work effectively and cooperatively as a member of an interprofessional clinical team to provide high quality patient care
  • LO6. engage in continuous reflection and take personal responsibility for personal and professional development
  • LO7. learn independently and take responsibility for personal learning
  • LO8. demonstrate understanding of laws that govern the supply of medicines and the practice of pharmacy

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Thank you to everyone who had made time to complete the Unit of Study Survey. The strength of this unit remains to be the hands-on experience students gain and the opportunity to apply concepts which are learnt in-class to the real-world. We also pleased to report an increase in student satisfaction. It is encouraging to see to numerous students had only positive feedback to provide and are satisfied with the program overall. We note that supportive and engaged preceptors are essential for a positive learning experience and remain committed to ongoing quality improvement activities through follow-up investigations, open dialogue, site visits and engagement activities facilitated by the School. Thank you all again for your thoughtful feedback.

 

 

 

Additional costs

Travel and accommodation. Please note that there may be funding for some regional, rural and remote sites available from the following sources: - Rural Placement Allowance Scheme from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing (domestics students only) - NSW Rural Allied Health Clinical Placement Grants from HETI (domestic students only) - Sue Mueller Placement Scholarships (domestic and international students) - Individual site benefits See specific site notes in SONIA for more details about funding.

Site visit guidelines

Contact your preceptor by phone or in-person to introduce yourself and confirm your placement at least one week prior to commencement of placement.

Work, health and safety

  • Clinical placement checks and clearances (including verification of immunisations and Criminal Record Check)
  • Full vaccination against COVID-19
  • Working with Children Check
  • Pharmacy Placement WHS Checklist (available via Canvas)

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.