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

 The Autonomous Non-Clinical Skills (NCS) Learning Experience 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) tool 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 or service provision to an aged care facility.  

• Leading a team to implement a health promotion campaign in your local community.

• Data collection for a research project.

• Chaired or participated in a committee/working group within your organisation.

• Participating in an interview panel for recruitment.

Autonomous Non-Clinical Skills (NCS) Process 

An Autonomous NCS LX is best completed as a retrospective reflection. 

Choosing a Situation or Skill 

There is a wide variety of skills or situations that may be appropriate for reflection using the NCS LX. See some suggested examples above. Ideally the 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. 

Learning Experience Details

The Non-Clinical Skills (NCS) requires the pharmacist to document the following information:

Date

Document the date that the experience or activity was completed.

Brief Description

Provide a brief description of the experience. Some examples of the type of information that may be included in this section are:

• The pharmacist's role in the experience.

• A summary of what was involved in the experience.

• Why the experience aligns with this type of LX (i.e. what knowledge and skills does it show).

• The impact of the experience on professional practice and/or,.

• The specific enabling competencies that apply to this experience (see practice recognition level section below).

Area of Practice

Provide details of the area of practice associated with the NCS experience or activity. This is a free text area which allows subspecialities or multiple areas to be documented. However, the areas documented may align with the ANZCAP speciality areas of practice.

Practice Recognition Level and Complexity

The NCS 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.

• Domain 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the Competence Standards for Pharmacists in Aotearoa New Zealand Pharmacists, 2023. Please note that not all the Domain 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 behaviours listed in these competence standards 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, registrar or consultant) and area of specialty. 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. 

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

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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