AUSTRALIAN hospital pharmacy professionals are under-utilised compared to their OECD peers and have limited opportunity for career advancement, according to a white paper released by the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia.
The document presents the findings of the Pharmacy Technician and Assistant Role Redesign within Australian Hospitals project and was presented at the SHPA's Medicines Management 2016 Conference in Perth on Saturday.
The society's ceo Kristin Michaels said the white paper was part of a commitment to the transformation of pharmacy workforce.
"Pharmacy technicians and assistants play critically important roles in medicines management in hospitals and it is essential that we understand changes in the dynamics of medicines supply in hospitals and how this will impact on these important roles in the future," Michaels said.
The paper highlights the progressive move by pharmacists away from dispensary based supply functions and towards team-based patient-centric roles.
"Therefore, the need to effectively harness the technician and assistant workforce to support advancing hospital pharmacy services is crucial," Michaels said.
"Australian hospital pharmacy technicians and assistants are under-utilised compared to their OECD peers, and there are limited opportunities for pharmacy technicians and assistants seeking career advancement in Australia.
"Our five recommendations arising from the report provide opportunities to address current issues around enhanced roles, improved education and training, and better professional development pathways," she said.
SHPA's Federal Council has commissioned further work based on the white paper recommendations that would see active change to the workforce.
For the full white paper and a summary document CLICK HERE.
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