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order to register as a pharmacist, a person must be a graduate of
a B.Pharm degree (or equivalent), undertake 2000 hours of supervised
practice, and complete a PSA run course (the Pharmacy Graduate Training
Course - PGTC). Upon completion of all these factors, the graduates
must then sit a written examination (more in depth than multiple
guess), and then a forty five minute oral examination covering various
legal and pharmacotherapeutic questions related to pharmacy practice.
The
award wage for a pre-registration student equates to approximately
sixteen dollars per hour, which is comparable with senior dispensary
staff. A graduate would only be likely to work a maximum of forty
five hours per week (at least in NSW, where that is the maximum
number of hours per week that one can count towards the pre-registration
hours). After all, the legal obligations of a graduate are limited
by how much of a "free run" the preceptor is happy to
allow him/her, but there is more "pharmacist" scope
for a pre-registrant than a dispensary technician. For example,
there are provisions in the Poisons Act for a graduate to hand
out schedule three medications under the supervision of a registered
pharmacist (what level of supervision is dependant on preceptor's
confidence in graduate). Similarly, a graduate can counsel patients
on new medications, and utilization of OTC skills can assist by
freeing up the pharmacist for a period of time.
The
pre-registration year is certainly a frustrating one - and in
all probability, always has been. Having come from what is undoubted
a twisted and optimistic view of the pharmacy "real world"
through the rose coloured glasses of university, graduates march
into a world where the ideals we learnt at university are laughed
at by some preceptors. The skills we are taught with regard to
states of change and the psychology of counselling are frowned
upon in some corners, because of potential conflict with the patients.
I know of at least two graduates who pack Webster packs for four
out of their five working days. It is hard to apply clinical knowledge
using a pill counter and an iron.
Another
factor is the lengthening of the pharmacy degree from three years
to four years. With the addition of such subjects as New Drug
Technologies, IT and Management components, as well as an increase
in clinical practice hours (and medication reviews), and the constant
rhetoric of disease state management, graduates are leaving university
with heightened knowledge of progressions of disease states and
evidence based medicine. Noticeably absent, apparently, is Greek
mythology and history, which appears to be revered by some pharmacists/preceptors.
Perhaps the extra year of training should be reflected appropriately
in wages post four year degree program.
One
thing that any current pharmacy student must take from this increased
focus on pre-registration positions is to apply for their potential
positions with vigilance and hard research into their potential
employers. Ensure that you will be able to add value to the pharmacy's
services by being there, and that the pharmacy will be able to
add value to your training as a pharmacist. Choose your path carefully!
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