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Unit outline_

PHAR7111: Pharmacy Intern Training A

Semester 1, 2021 [Block mode] - Remote

Pharmacy Intern Training A is designed to be undertaken by pharmacy interns undertaking supervised professional practice while working towards general registration as a pharmacist in Australia, and is intended to complement the learning which occurs in the workplace. It further develops the personal and professional competencies gained on successful completion of an initial pharmacy degree that form the basis of future practice. This unit uses multiple modes of delivery to explore the range of issues that are relevant to the day­to­day practice of pharmacy. This unit of study will support graduates' development and performance in the following domains: professionalism in practice; communication and collaboration; professional expertise; leadership and management; research, inquiry and education.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Pharmacy
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Irene Um, irene.um@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam hurdle task MCQ exam
Online MCQ exam
40% Formal exam period
Due date: 19 Jun 2021 at 09:00
2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO13 LO14
Participation Seminars
Face-to-face active learning sessions
0% Multiple weeks 2 x 2 days
Small continuous assessment Discussion block 1
Online participation
0% Multiple weeks 2 weeks
Small continuous assessment Discussion block 2
Online participation
20% Multiple weeks 2 weeks
Small continuous assessment Discussion block 3
Online participation
20% Multiple weeks 2 weeks
Small continuous assessment Discussion block 4
Online participation
20% Multiple weeks 2 weeks
Skills-based evaluation Preceptor feedback
Clinical skills assessment
0% Ongoing Ongoing
Assignment Learning portfolio exercises
Workplace-learning tasks
0% Ongoing Ongoing
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Discussion blocks: The discussion blocks are interactive structured online discussion forums on Canvas. Content includes contemporary pharmacy practice topics. Interns must meet the minimum number of comprehensive posts and achieve a minimum mark of 10/20 in order to pass. Interns who do not achieve this will be offered the opportunity to attempt an additional assessment.
  • Learning portfolio exercises: Interns are required to complete various workplace activites to be reviewed by their preceptor, and submitted as part of their learning portfolio. These must be completed in order to pass and for a completion letter to be issued.
  • MCQ Exam: The MCQ exam will be delivered online and consist of 75 multiple choice questions covering clinical, calculations, and forensic (law/privacy/ethics) content. Interns must achieve a minimum mark of 65% to pass the unit. Interns who do not achieve this minimum mark will be offered the opportunity to attempt an additional assessment on Saturday 17/07.
  • Preceptor feedback: Preceptors are required to undertake a formative assessment of intern competencies at certain timepoints of internship. Preceptors must declare an intern as competent towards the end of internship in order to pass and for a completion letter to be issued.
  • Seminars: There are four two-day face-to-face seminars throughout the year (two in each semester). The seminar days usually involve plenary speakers and small group active learning sessions. Interns should complete all prework and inclass tasks.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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
Multiple weeks Seminars involve plenary speakers and small group active learning sessions Tutorial (32 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14 LO15 LO16 LO17 LO18
Online discussion about contemporary pharmacy practice topics Online class (48 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14 LO15 LO16 LO17 LO18
Ongoing Learning portfolio exercises are workplace-based activities relevant to professional practice, reviewed by the preceptor Placement (24 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14 LO15 LO16 LO17 LO18
Preceptors are required to undertake a formal assessment of intern competencies at certain timepoints of internship Performance (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14 LO15 LO16 LO17 LO18

Attendance and class requirements

Interns are required to participate in all seminars (2/2) and discussion blocks (4/4). In the first instance, when you are prevented from participation due to exceptional circumstances such as illness, injury or misadventure, or essential commitments, you must notify the Coordinator as soon as practicable and apply for special consideration. If your special consideration application is approved, you will be required to complete alternative assessments.

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 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Standard professional pharmacy resources

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. practise legally and ethically by complying with and maintaining contemporary knowledge of the legal, professional and ethical framework of pharmacy, including legislation, pharmacy practice standards, codes and guidelines
  • LO2. implement and deliver professional services according to the needs of consumers, taking account of the consumer’s rights and expectations, thus delivering ‘person-centred’ care
  • LO3. promote and advocate both the best interests and safety of patients and the public, including engaging in risk management to minimise harm and maximise patient and public safety
  • LO4. apply effective critical thinking to the analysis of issues
  • LO5. demonstrate problem solving skills, application of professional judgement and individual and shared decision-making in a range of areas including but not limited to: primary healthcare, prescription problems, therapeutic problems, and legal and ethical problems, including the ability to recognise and work within personal and legal limitations
  • LO6. apply evidence-based principles to the practice of pharmacy
  • LO7. demonstrate the principles of information literacy to effectively research, review, analyse and share information to enhance practice
  • LO8. promote and contribute to quality use of medicines
  • LO9. apply clinical and contemporary pharmacy knowledge and deliver person-centred care
  • LO10. provide primary health care (identify symptoms, recommend pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapy, and refer where appropriate)
  • LO11. take an accurate patient history as part of overall medication management
  • LO12. effectively and appropriately communicate medication and health-related information with a socially and culturally diverse range of people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • LO13. demonstrate interprofessional collaboration
  • LO14. consistently make accurate arithmetic calculations
  • LO15. adopt the principles of life-long learning, including demonstration of reflective practice and applying change where required in order to remain fit-to-practise
  • LO16. engage in self-management, leadership and management of others commensurate with their scope of practice and experience
  • LO17. act as a role-model consistently demonstrating professional and ethical behaviour
  • LO18. contribute to the education and development of others

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.

The discussion block structure has been changed to include more quizzes. Further, regular online contact will be continued.

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.