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What is the Short Specialisation Course LX? 

 The Short Specialisation Course is an Endorsed Learning Experience that can be used to document completion of a course or training program that aims to expand a pharmacist's skills and/or knowledge in a chosen area of practice.  The tool also aims to guide self-reflection on the impact of this learning on their current or future practice. 

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

Examples

• Micro-credential 

• Mental Health First Aid training 

• Medicines Administration Course

• Board Certification

• UTI training 

• Immunisation training 

• MMR accreditation

• Other as relevant to scope of practice

Choosing an appropriate course for this tool 

A short specialisation course differs from attendance at a continuing professional development seminar in that it includes an assessment-based component that indicates competency in certain skills or knowledge. It also assesses and documents what the pharmacist knows, understands and can do (e.g. via an OSCE or exam). It also commonly awards accreditation to the pharmacists to allow them to carry out additional professional activities above that of general registration pharmacy practice. It also generally involves a longer period of time to complete then a standard continuing professional development seminar. However, unlike a post graduate degree, a short specialisation course is not conducted by a university but rather another professional organization. See examples above. 

Short Specialisation Course Process 

Practice Recognition Level 

The pharmacist should indicate on the learning experience tool which of the three levels of practice recognition (resident, register, consultant) they are currently practicing at or a candidate for. 

The Short Specialisation Course Learning Experience is mapped to Domain 1 & 5 of the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia 2016. 

 Please refer to the ANZCAP recognition descriptors article for the further guidance on markers of performance for each ANZCAP recognition level. Please note that not all the domain 1 & 5 indicators listed in this document may be relevant to this Learning Experience. 

Collaborator 

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

Forms and Templates 

The Short Specialisation Course tool is available on the ANZCAP digital platform. Ideally pharmacists will enter relevant information into the digital tool after completion of the course. 

Alternatively, pharmacists may use a tool from their own workplace and upload it to the digital platform where they can then confirm completion of an Endorsed Learning Experience.

For further details on how to complete a Learning Experience on the ANZCAP digital platform please refer to the How to complete a Learning Experience article.

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