Program Information

The Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot, developed through a partnership between the Queensland Government, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, and key industry stakeholders, is set to explore the expansion of pharmacists' roles in primary health care. This innovative pilot aims to enhance the delivery of preventative care, medication management, and prescribing by pharmacists for a spectrum of acute, common, chronic conditions, and health and wellbeing services, specifically targeting the improvement of primary health care accessibility in Queensland communities.

To participate in the pilot, pharmacists must demonstrate successful completion of a Queensland Health approved training program that covers the knowledge and skills required to deliver pilot services, including both a prescribing component and a clinical practice training component. This requirement is detailed in the Pilot participation requirements.

James Cook University (JCU) is proud to offer training for the pilot, designed to reflect the scope of pilot services and relevant clinical guidelines, in consultation with industry stakeholders.

The program includes:

• Training Component 1*: A rigorous Safe Prescribing Education course, aligned with the NPS Medicinewise Prescribing Competencies Framework, featuring 120 hours of experiential learning.
• Training Component 2: Two specialized clinical training courses focused on health assessment, clinical examination techniques, and the diagnosis and management of selected conditions, incorporating safe prescribing practices learned in Training Component 1.

*The Safe Prescribing Education subject (Training Component 1) is currently under review for accreditation by the Australian Pharmacy Council.  The program is seeking, but has not yet been granted, accreditation from the Australian Pharmacy Council. Once accreditation has been granted, the program will be submitted to Queensland Health for approval as an approved training program for the pilot.