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What is the Short Specialisation Course LX? 

 The Short Specialisation Course is an Endorsed Learning Experience (LX) 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 LX also aims to guide self-reflection on the impact of this learning on their current or future practice. And 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 LX 

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 qualification, 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 in the Learning Experience 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 note that not all the domain 1 & 5 indicators listed in this document may be relevant to this Learning Experience. 

• Domain 1, 2 and 4 of the Competence Standards for Pharmacists in Aotearoa New Zealand Pharmacists, 2023. Please note that not all the Domain 1, 2 and 4 behaviours listed in these competence standards may be relevant to this Learning Experience.

 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 Endorsed Learning Experience and therefore the final submission should be completed by the pharmacist without collaboration. 

Forms and Templates 

Evidence of the completion of the short specialisation course is documented directly into the ANZCAP digital platform as an Endorsed 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.

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