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Summary

This article contains information on how to complete an Autonomous Non-Clinical Skill (NCS) learning experience.

What is the Non-Clinical Skill (NCS) LX?

The Autonomous Non-Clinical Skills (NCS) is an Autonomous Learning Experience (LX) that can be used to record evidence and encourage self-reflection of an occasion where a pharmacist has applied various non-clinical skills to professional situation(s).

It is a Workplace Based Assessment (WBA) that can be used for inclusion towards ANZCAP recognition.

The main outcome of the LX is to record evidence of current professional practice in a setting that utilizes a combination of management, leadership, problem-solving, communication and/or critical thinking skills.

Examples

Presentation of a new proposal to an aged care facility to provide services
Leading a team to implement a health promotion campaign in your local community
Chaired or participated in a committee/working group within your organisation
Participating in an interview panel for recruitment
Data collection for a research project

Autonomous Non-Clinical Skills (NCS) Process

An Autonomous Non-Clinical Skill LX is best completed as a retrospective reflection.

🧩 Prepare

🎯 Engage

💭 Reflect

The pharmacist identifies a suitable skill or situation to utilize the Autonomous NCS LX. Ensuring that the practice recognition level and clinical setting/topic that the NCS is to focus on a lines with their recognition goals

Pharmacist completes the skill or situation

Pharmacist complete the Autonomous NCS LX which guides them through documentation, reflection and development goal setting.

After completion of the skill or activity the documentation and reflection should take between 10-15 minutes.

If the skill or situation will occur over an extended period of time or is repetitious in nature (e.g. data collection for a research project) the pharmacist should complete the Autonomous LX after completion all aspects of the skill or situation.

Choosing a Situation or Skill

There is a wide variety of skills or situations that may be appropriate for reflection using the Autonomous NCS LX. See some suggested examples above. Ideally an Autonomous NCS should focus on a scenario that has been completed to allow the pharmacist to also consider the outcomes of the scenario. Ultimately the exact scenario, role played, and the skills expected by the pharmacist will vary depending on the practice recognition level they are aiming to meet.

Practice Recognition Level

The Non-Clinical Skill Learning Experience is mapped to Domain 1, 2 & 4 of the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia 2016. Please note that not all the domain 1, 2 & 4 indicators listed in this document may be relevant to this Learning Experience.

The pharmacist must identify a non-clinical skill opportunity that applies to their current level of practice (e.g. ANZCAP resident, register or consultant) and area of specialty.

Please refer to the ANZCAP recognition descriptors article for the further guidance on markers of performance for each ANZCAP recognition level.

Complexity

In some scenarios the same skill or situation may be used for pharmacists aiming for different levels of practice recognition. However, the complexity and expected knowledge and skills expected to be displayed will vary.

Collaborator

Pharmacists may have engaged in discussion with professional peers, mentors or managers to encourage reflective practice. However, this is an Autonomous Learning Experience and therefore the final submission should be completed by the pharmacist without collaboration.

Reflection & Goal Setting

The pharmacist is encouraged to utilize the SMART goal technique to develop any learning or development goals that are identified from self-reflection after completion of the activity.

Forms and Templates

Evidence of the NCS activity is documented directly into the ANZCAP digital platform as an Autonomous Learning Experience (LX). For further step by step instructions on how to do this please refer to the How to complete a Learning Experience article.

If ANZCAP members wish to use a NCS form from their own organisation, the completed form may be uploaded into the Supporting Evidence section of the LX. (Please note that for the LX to become validated the candidate must still complete all sections marked with an asterisk *).

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