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Unit outline_

PHAR5718: Experiential Placement 1A

Intensive June, 2023 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The clinical experience program in the Master of Pharmacy 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). Experiential Placement 1A is the first of three units of study where students are required to complete a supervised Clinical Placement. This Unit of Study provides students with opportunities to observe and participate in the real ­life applications of the profession under supervision. PHAR5718 allows students to apply the theory and skills that they have learnt through their on ­campus course studies across a variety of professional settings, including but not limited to, community and hospital pharmacy. The overall objectives of the Clinical Placements Program are to familiarise students with their future professional roles and working environments, and to guide them in developing professional skills and behaviours. Students enrolled in PHAR5718 are required to maintain a Portfolio. Students will work on the components of this portfolio in PHAR5718 and across the Clinical Placements Program. Students are expected to attend pre­-placement lectures and required to participate in the post-placement Debrief Session. Students are assessed based on their Portfolio submission and their Preceptor Assessment which involves evaluation of their performance, professionalism and behaviour during placement. Before you can attend a placement, you need to have certain clinical placement checks and clearances. The checks can be completed after your enrolment in the course.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Pharmacy
Credit points 3
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jan-Willem Alffenaar, johannes.alffenaar@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation hurdle task Debrief
Post-placement debrief (attendance, participation and conduct assessment)
0% Multiple weeks 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO7
Skills-based evaluation hurdle task Preceptor assessment
Preceptor assessment
70% Multiple weeks 1 page
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO5 LO4
Placement hurdle task Placement
Block Placement
0% Multiple weeks 10 days x 7.5 hours per day
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment hurdle task WIL portfolio
WIL portfolio
30% Multiple weeks all components
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO6
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

All three criteria below must be met to pass this 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 including future goals
  2. EPA (Entrustable Professional Activity) self assessment
  3. QUM (Quality Use of Medicines) case report

Submission is due 2 weeks after the placements.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (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 name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

At HD level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to students who demonstrate the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.

Distinction

75 - 84

At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the units material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.

Credit

65 - 74

At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the units material and can solve routine problems and/ or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.

Pass

50 - 64

At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory adequately referencing the original source of the work.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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
Week -02 Undertake two-week placement and related tasks at allocated site Placement (75 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 01 Introduction to Pharmacy Placements Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Compulsory debrief session in Week 1 or 2 of semester 2 (refer to personalised student timetable for time and location) Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 10 Preparation for Pharmacy Placements Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Completion of practicum hours and debrief participation is compulsory. In accordance with the Faculty local provisions on attendance, students are expected 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.
  • Dress requirements: Students must wear the Sydney Pharmacy School placement shirt and appropriate business trousers during placement. Casual clothes (including jeans, sneakers or running shoes) are not permitted unless explicitly specified by the preceptor. Inappropriate attire may result in a student being disallowed on site which may results in delay in academic progression.

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. For a 3 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 60-75 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

  • Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. R. Walker &; C. Whittlesea (5 th Edition. 2012).
  • Australian Medicines Handbook. Current edition
  • Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary. Current edition
  • Therapeutic Guidelines (TG). Victorian Drug Usage Advisory Committee, North Melbourne, VIC, Current editions. eTG complete. 2007-to present 

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 systematic reasoning processes to address a range of health and medicines-related problems
  • LO3. provide patient education in relation to medicines and therapeutic and monitoring devices
  • LO4. demonstrate appropriate attitudes, values and behaviours in personal and professional dealings and business practice
  • LO5. work effectively and cooperatively as a member of a learning team and/or 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

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - APC
2.1. communicating appropriately and effectively with a socially and culturally diverse range of people in a manner which inspires confidence and trust by
LO2
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - APC
3.1.c. applying effective critical thinking, reasoning and problem-solving strategies to conceptualise problems, formulate a range of potential solutions, and support decision-making
LO3
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - APC
3.1. formulating appropriate and effective actions and recommendations which support safe, rational and cost-effective use of medicines and other healthcare options and optimise socially accountable person-centred care by
3.2. making and prioritising recommendations to manage health, medical and medication needs of patients, including both pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies, based on the Quality Use of Medicines Framework and the best available evidence
LO4
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - APC
1.5. practising ethically and with integrity by
LO5
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - APC
2.3.a. demonstrating an understanding and appreciation of the roles of pharmacists and other members of the interprofessional collaborative care team
2.3.c. demonstrating appropriate teamwork behaviours
LO6
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - APC
1.6. demonstrating a proactive and reflective approach to developing their own professional competence and expertise
LO7
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - APC
1.8. accepting personal responsibility and accountability for decisions and actions in simulated and/or work-integrated learning environments
LO8
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - APC
1.4.a. demonstrating contemporary knowledge and application of legal requirements relating to community and hospital pharmacy practice within their jurisdiction

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

Training modules which introduce preceptors to concepts of effective preceptorship and to enhance the student learning experience during placements are currently being developed.

Please complete the Pre-placement Checklist (in Canvas) at least a week prior to commencement of your placement.

 

Additional costs

Travel and accommodation. Please note that funding may be available 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

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)
  • 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.