Unit Outline

CSA430 Pharmacy Practice offers an advanced pharmacy practice teaching program incorporating placements. Placements are offered in teaching sites throughout Tasmania, and where possible, mainland Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. Placement blocks will provide students with the opportunity to experience pharmacy practice in a variety of settings. All students will undertake hospital and community pharmacy placements along with elective placements. Elective placements include research, extended community practice, aged care, general practice and a range of other health or industry-related placements. University teaching blocks will focus on the development of knowledge and skills in medication management, vaccination, research and extending knowledge in developing areas of pharmacy practice. Students will also contribute to a group project. Projects will be designed by university staff to develop students’ skills with a variety of projects offered in the area of pharmacy practice.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Apply professional problem-solving skills to identify critical issues, conceptualise problems, use relevant information and formulate a range of solutions in relation to the provision of medicines or health advice.
2.	Demonstrate appropriate communication and collaboration skills combined with therapeutic decision making, and incorporating patient-centred care principles in the management of acute illness and chronic disease.
3.	Develop organisational and reflective professional practice skills and explain how they underpin professional and ethical practice.
4.	Describe the different activities and settings which a pharmacist may perform and the impact this may have on patient outcomes.
5.	Demonstrate the role of pharmacists in health promotion, harm minimisation and preventative health activities.
6.	Search, evaluate and appropriately reference drug information and pharmacy related literature.
7.	Design a research project using appropriate research methodologies.
8.	Conduct a team-based research or quality improvement activity.
9.	Communicate information with a variety of stakeholders, including patients, peers and/or other health professionals.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	CSA406 - Therapeutics in Practice (4) AND CSA414 - Clinical Pharmacokinetics 4 AND CSA457 - Pharmacy Skills in Practice 4A

Alterations as a result of student feedback

In response to the feedback from previous student cohort, changes have been made which may include adjustments to assessments and alignment of some of the timelines. As always, the teaching team will greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit in 2024, and formally through the University of Tasmania’s eVALUate surveys following your completion of the unit.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Medication review assignment	Week 6	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO4, LO5, LO6
Assessment Task 2:	Project presentation	Week 12	10 %	LO7, LO8, LO9
Assessment Task 3:	Project manuscript	Week 12	20 %	LO6, LO7, LO8, LO9
Assessment Task 4:	Medication action plan presentation	Refer to Assessment Description	0 %
Assessment Task 5:	Preceptor assessments	Refer to Assessment Description	0 %	LO1, LO2, LO4, LO5, LO6
Assessment Task 6:	Hospital pharmacy portfolio	Refer to Assessment Description	12.50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
Assessment Task 7:	Community pharmacy portfolio	Refer to Assessment Description	12.50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
Assessment Task 8:	Written exam	Exam Period	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO4, LO5

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Medication review assignment

Task Description:

Medication review assignment - Students are given details of a patient referred for a Home Medicines Review and are required to perform an HMR for the patient in consideration of the patients’ needs or concerns, medication-related problems and medication management issues

Task Length:

2500 words

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate ability to identify gaps in the information available & suggest methods for obtaining that information from an appropriate source. 20%	LO1
2	Demonstrate ability to identify actual, suspected or potential drug-and disease-related problems, relevant to individual patient. 20%	LO1
3	Demonstrate appropriate level of clinical judgment and skills to provide prioritised recommendations to GP resulting from medication review of patient. 20%	LO1, LO4
4	Demonstrate appropriate knowledge and use of references to support decision making. 20%	LO1, LO5, LO6
5	Demonstrate appropriate written communication skills and language in a letter or report to GP. 20%	LO2, LO5, LO6

Assessment Task 2: Project presentation

Task Description:

You will be allocated a group and be required to complete a research presentation in the form of a narrated PowerPoint presentation. Projects are small in scope and typically a quality assurance activity with data collection, data analysis and write-up.

Task Length:

10-minute narrated power point presentation

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Provide a clear and concise project overview and summary of the findings. 20%	LO7, LO9
2	Present and describe the data and analyses. 20%	LO7
3	Clearly explain the interpretation and implications of the project findings. 30%	LO7
4	Present the project in a clear, appealing and engaging manner. 20%	LO9
5	Contribute effectively towards a group activity demonstrating leadership and teamwork. 10%	LO8

Assessment Task 3: Project manuscript

Task Description:

You will be allocated a group and be required to complete a research report in the form of a scientific manuscript. Projects are small in scope and typically a quality assurance activity with data collection, data analysis and write-up.

Task Length:

3500 words

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Review and summarise relevant literature and develop links to the project including: background, methods of research and analysis, scope, limitations and challenges. 30%	LO6, LO7
2	Generate data and discuss results with reference to the literature, analyse results draw conclusions and synthesise perspectives. 30%	LO7
3	Communicate in the form of a manuscript a scholarly work that adheres to appropriate: structure and format, English conventions, referencing conventions. 30%	LO9
4	Contribute effectively towards a group activity, demonstrating leadership and teamwork skills. 10%	LO8

Assessment Task 4: Medication action plan presentation

Task Description:

To present to the pharmacy department staff a presentation based on ONE of the patients for whom you have prepared a MAP (medication action plan). Please see your workbook for more details.
Due Date: As per your preceptor on placement.

Task Length:

10 minutes

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

0 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	While feedback is formative, please note that the quality of your presentation will undoubtedly affect your preceptor’s assessment

Assessment Task 5: Preceptor assessments

Task Description:

You are required to undertake a self-assessment on your performance in practice at the start of the second week of any placement. This formative assessment is to be discussed with their preceptor or a placement pharmacist.
After completion of a placement, the student’s preceptors will provide an assessment on performance in the real-world setting. This assessment is a must pass assessment.
Due Date - After Placement

Task Length:

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

0 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Please see MyLO for further details.	LO1, LO2, LO4, LO5, LO6

Assessment Task 6: Hospital pharmacy portfolio

Task Description:

Hospital pharmacy portfolio - You are required to submit a summary of six activities conducted/observed on placement, with associated reflection (and accompanying evidence where appropriate), and any feedback that was provided to you by your supervising pharmacist/staff. All portfolios must include an introductory section (~250 words maximum) that sets the scene for the rest of the portfolio (details in workbook). When putting your portfolio together, please consider the presentation carefully, and ensure your reflections are presented in a coherent and logical manner. See your workbook for more details.
Due Date: 5pm Friday week after placement concludes

Task Length:

3500 words

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

12.50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify a broad range of relevant experiences, situations, or issues to reflect on. 10%	LO1
2	Articulate the experience, situation or issue with relevant details. 20%	LO2, LO4
3	Reflect on the experience, lessons learned, impact on future personal practice. Include feedback from supervisor (where available). 40%	LO3
4	Demonstrate follow-up with further learning (where relevant). 20%	LO5, LO6
5	Communicate effectively using appropriate academic writing, Vancouver referencing conventions, professional/biomedical language and terminologies Present the reflections in the portfolio in a professional manner. 10%	LO2, LO6

Assessment Task 7: Community pharmacy portfolio

Task Description:

Community pharmacy portfolio -You are required to submit a summary of at least six activities or scenarios conducted / observed during your placement, with associated reflection (and accompanying evidence where appropriate), and any feedback that was provided to you by the supervising pharmacist/staff on your related performance.

All portfolios must include an introductory section (~250 words maximum) that sets the scene for the rest of the portfolio (details in workbook). When putting your portfolio together, please consider the presentation carefully, and ensure your reflections are presented in a coherent and logical manner.

See your workbook for more details.
Due Date: Friday 5pm the week after your placement ends

Task Length:

3500 words

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

12.50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify a broad range of relevant experiences, situations, or issues to reflect on. 10%	LO1
2	Articulate the experience, situation or issue with relevant details. 20%	LO2, LO4
3	Reflect on the experience, lessons learned, impact on future personal practice Include feedback from supervisor (where available). 40%	LO3
4	Demonstrate follow-up with further learning (where relevant). 20%	LO5, LO6
5	Communicate effectively using appropriate academic writing, Vancouver referencing conventions, professional/biomedical language and terminologies Present the reflections in the portfolio in a professional manner. 10%	LO2, LO6

Assessment Task 8: Written exam

Task Description:

Written exam 2 hours

Note: To pass this unit, a student must score ≥ 50% in the exam, as well as achieving an aggregate overall mark of ≥ 50%.

The final exam is conducted by the Student Centre in the formal examination period. See the Examinations and Results page on the University’s website, or access your personal exams timetable by logging into the eStudent Centre for specific date, time and location closer to the examination period.

Task Length:

2 hours

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Answers to multiple choice questions are marked correct (full marks) or incorrect (no marks) .	LO1, LO2, LO4, LO5

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

The final exam and preceptor assessments are hurdle assessments with a pass mark required in each of these. In the event that a student fails a placement while performing well in all other assessments, a supplementary placement may be granted. If a student fails the exam, however, passes all other assessments, a supplementary exam may be granted. NB: Failure to complete all assessment pieces may result in the withholding of your final result, and thus your graduation eligibility/date.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

No specific required reading material