Foundation Program (recognition of prior professional experience)

Owned by Erica Marsom, created
Last updated: Aug 26, 2024 by Kylee Hayward
4 min read

Please note: The Foundation Program has now closed for new applications in Australia. The program remains open to pharmacists from New Zealand with access to the ANZCAP platform, until 31 August 2024.

In Australia, the Foundation Program has seen broad uptake and we have determined it is at capacity given the time required to assess applications before 30 June 2024.

Australian practitioners who have begun preparing their submission are able to request access via the ANZCAP platform, subject to conditions.

In this article

Summary

This article helps you identify which ANZCAP recognition you are eligible for and describes the evidence of prior professional experience required for recognition.

Availability of the Foundation Program

The Foundation Program has now closed for new applications in Australia. 

Access to the Foundation Program may be granted for Australian-registered pharmacists who can:

  1. provide evidence in support of their Foundation Program application that is dated on or prior to 31 May 2024; OR

  2. provide evidence that it was only reasonably possible to submit for the Foundation Program within the month of June 2024.

Complete the ANZCAP Foundation program access request form to submit your request. (Note that this form is only available until 12pm Friday 28th June 2024)

The program remains open to pharmacists from New Zealand with access to the ANZCAP platform, until 31 August 2024.

What is the Foundation Program?

The Foundation Program provides the opportunity for practitioners to obtain 2023-24 ANZCAP recognition as a Pharmacist Resident, Pharmacist Registrar or Pharmacist Consultant using their prior professional experience.

This page outlines what you need to know to be recognised for each level through the Foundation Program:

  • recognition eligibility criteria

  • examples of prior professional experience

  • requirements of prior professional experience required for recognition.

The years of experience provided for each recognition level are a guide to how long it may take individuals to reach a given level.

It may take some pharmacists more or less time to gain the skills and competence needed to perform at a particular level.

Look at the ANZCAP recognition descriptions alongside the criteria provided here to help you determine at which level you are practicing.

If you would like to have a discussion with a member of the ANZCAP team to help translate your prior professional experience into ANZCAP recognition then please contact us at anzcap@shpa.org or book in a time to speak to a member of the ANZCAP support team here.

Pharmacist Resident

Guiding criteria

Completion of a Foundation Residency
< 2 years ago

OR

3 - 4 years experience as a generally registered pharmacist 

Examples of existing industry recognitions equivalent to an ANZCAP Pharmacist Resident:

  • Completion of a Society of Hospital Pharmacist of Australia (SHPA) Foundation Residency

  • Credentialed as Advancing Practice Pharmacist (Stage I) - AdvPP (I)

  • Evidence of professional experience at the Transition level of the advanced practice enabling competencies from the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia 2016.

Requirements

1

Up to date CV 

2

Letter of support from team leader or member of organisation/department leadership team

Pharmacist Registrar

Guiding criteria

Completion of a Foundation Residency program ≥ 2 years ago

OR

Completion of an Advanced Training Residency < 2 years ago

OR

5 – 8 years’ experience as a generally registered pharmacist with  

≥ 2 years of this in a specialty area (for recognition as a registrar in that specialty)  

Examples of existing industry recognitions equivalent to an ANZCAP Pharmacist Registrar:

  • Completion of a Society of Hospital Pharmacist of Australia (SHPA) Advanced Training Residency (ATR) Program

  • Credentialed as Advancing Practice Pharmacist (Stage 2) - AdvPP (II)

  • Evidence of professional experience at the Consolidation level of the advanced practice enabling competencies from the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia 2016.

Requirements

1

Up to date CV 

2

Letter of support from current Director of Pharmacy/Chief Pharmacist/Pharmacy Owner (or equivalent)

3

Personal statement 

Pharmacist Consultant

Guiding criteria

Completion of an Advanced Training Residency ≥ 2 year ago

OR

> 8 years’ experience as a generally registered pharmacist with 

≥ 3 years of this in a specialty area (for recognition as a consultant in that specialty) 

Examples of existing industry recognitions equivalent to an ANZCAP Pharmacist Consultant:

  • Credentialed as Advancing Practice Pharmacist (Stage 3) - AdvPP (III)

  • Evidence of professional experience at the Advanced level of the advanced practice enabling competencies from the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia 2016.

Requirements

1

Up to date CV

2

Letter of support from:

  • Current Director of Pharmacy/Chief Pharmacist/Pharmacy Owner (or equivalent) AND

  • A senior inter-professional colleague (preferably medical) in nominated specialty area

3

Personal statement

Resources for Foundation Program Recognition

Resources and further information on the requirements for ANZCAP Recognition through the Foundation Program can be found in the Resources for Foundation Program Recognition article.

Accessing ANZCAP

Sign up or login to ANZCAP at www.anzcap.org or if you are an existing SHPA member access ANZCAP for free from your SHPA member dashboard.

Further information on ANZCAP membership is available in the Accessing ANZCAP article.

 

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