IN my Graduate Certificate course, designed by Professor John Smithson, I was taught new ways to engage with my patients.

My training has made me a better practitioner and helped me to improve the health of my community.

The course was comprehensive, and included safe prescribing practices, clinical assessment and diagnosis, medication management for acute and chronic conditions, OSCE (objective structured clinical examination), and supervised practise with a GP.

The university training focuses on specific conditions, with diagnostics and treatments that can be delivered safely and effectively in community pharmacy.

Every state and territory has now committed to expanding the services available in community pharmacy, making it a great time to explore these training opportunities.

As more community pharmacists are trained to examine, diagnose and treat more conditions, we will relieve the pressure on GPs, reduce preventable hospital admissions and create healthier communities.

Looking towards the future, I want to see full scope prescribing training for pharmacists embedded into the base registerable degree.

In practice, this will mean all pharmacy graduates finish their studies being able to examine, diagnose and treat everyday and long-term health conditions.

Graduates are overwhelmingly supportive of increased scope of practice, and training is also good for our existing workforce.

Full scope of practice pharmacists report higher job satisfaction – which improves retention and recruitment in our sector.

It will enhance your professional practice and demonstrates a commitment to innovative, patient-directed care.

Full scope of practice training is an investment in the future of community pharmacy practice.

To find out more, you can register your interest with the Australasian College of Pharmacy (ACP) HERE.

I’d encourage all community pharmacists to register.

My training changed how I approach and engage with all patients for the better.

I often say the training is rigorous but not onerous – and if I can do it, so can you!

Professor Trent Twomey is the National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.

This column is part of a series addressing various issues around expanded scope of practice.

If you have questions, send them to scope@guild.org.au.

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