New pharmacy recognition program launched
The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) has launched a new recognition program hoping to transform pharmacy practice in Australia and New Zealand.
Unveiled by SHPA President Tom Simpson at the 81st FIP World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Brisbane, the Australian and New Zealand College of Advanced Pharmacy (ANZCAP) will support pharmacists and pharmacy technicians from all practice settings by tracking and planning their career toward resident, registrar and consultant recognition.
Simpson said, “Our focus is each and every individual pharmacist and technician: Are you fulfilled in your role? Are you recognised for what you contribute? Is your unique experience and expertise respected, supported and utilised to its fullest potential? Are you working to your full scope?”
Formally opening on Wednesday, 11 October, ANZCAP will be powered by an intuitive digital platform enabling practitioners to seamlessly record evidence of their experience and expertise and collate portfolios aligned with one or two of 40 specialty disciplines.
ANZCAP, a joint initiative of SHPA and the New Zealand Hospital Pharmacy Association (NZHPA), is a leap forward for Australian health care and many years in the making, according to Simpson.
“ANZCAP comprises an initial Foundation Program that acknowledges prior professional experience, available until March 2024, and builds on our long history of early-career pharmacy residencies offering two-year formalised fast-track education programs to resident and registrar recognition.
“Thirdly and most importantly, ANZCAP features an Independent Program for anyone, anywhere to map their own path through these career milestones.
“As well as recognising progression in each pharmacist and technician career, ANZCAP recognises the specialty practice areas that practitioners are focusing on, aligning recognition as registrars or consultants with one or two of 40 specialty areas, such as cancer medicine, geriatric medicine and community pharmacy.
“It is a broad program in which every pharmacist and technician can participate; in which you can completely self-manage your learning and development or follow suggested learning experiences to attain transferable recognition, which is understood nationally.”
ANZCAP has the support of The International Pharmaceutical Federation's (FIP) President Paul Sinclair and CEO Dr Catherine Duggan, who have each received their formal recognition.
“SHPA’s ANZCAP initiative is great recognition of pharmacists practising advanced and specialised disciplines. I am honoured to have been included in foundation consultant membership,” Sinclair said.
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