Who should attend
Pharmacists seeking to be credentialed to perform the Aged Care On-site Pharmacist (ACOP) role. Prerequisite requirements
This program is eligible for generally registered pharmacists with Ahpra (no conditions) that have completed an APC-accredited Medication Management Review (MMR) program. This could include our Monash University MMR Training Program.
What you will learn
By the end of the program, the learners should be able to:
- Practise legally and ethically by complying with and maintaining contemporary knowledge of the aged care specific frameworks and organisational policies and procedures that relate to pharmacy practice within the aged-care setting.
- Effectively and appropriately communicate medication and health-related information to residents, carers and family members including people with a socially and culturally diverse range of people, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Schedule and prioritise comprehensive medication reviews for people residing in Residential Aged Care Homes (RACHs), ensuring reviews are completed at regular intervals and in response to clinical need.
- Take an accurate best possible medication history in the context of a consumer being admitted to a RACH from home and at transitions of care.
- Review medication orders on the National Residential Medication Chart (NRMC) or electronic medication management system for clarity, safety and appropriateness in order to identify potential or actual medicine-related problems.
- Conduct comprehensive medication reviews and contribute to advance care planning, taking into consideration the patient's treatment goals, including advance care directives, as well as best practice guidelines when making recommendations.
- Effectively collaborate with the healthcare team and communicate and document recommendations to other healthcare professionals using standardised tools to optimise patient care and safe medication supply.
- Effectively and appropriately participate in the implementation and maintenance of clinical governance systems and apply the principles of clinical governance to monitor and improve medication services in the aged care facility.
- Establish and contribute to a Medication Advisory Committee (MAC) including promoting the culture of quality use of medicines.
- Identify, plan, prioritise, implement and evaluate facility-wide quality improvement activities and recommend appropriate actions to address outcomes and optimise quality, safety and cost-effectiveness of medicines use in the RACH.
- Apply evidence-based principles and skills in research, review and analysis to develop, implement, monitor and review clinical audits, medicines-related policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Implement, deliver and evaluate education and training for medication management and other health related topics.
- Design health promotion activities to maintain and improve the health of RACH residents.
- Effectively act as a role model, facilitator and/or mentor to students, colleagues, other team members and other healthcare professionals.
Program structure
The MUATP consists of three steps, following an active learning approach.
Step 1 - Self-directed Online Learning:
Engage in interactive online modules developed by leading experts to consolidate your understanding of ACOP process and the management of older patients.
Steps 2a and 2b - Simulation Workshops and Assessments:
Practice oral communication, interprofessional collaboration, and problem-solving skills in simulated workshops (2a) and assessments (2b).
Step 3 - Experiential Learning:
Demonstrate competency in core ACOP processes through workplace-based assessments supervised by an experienced aged care pharmacist in a two-day Residential Aged Care Home Placement
This program is accredited with conditions by the Australian Pharmacy Council.
Accelerate your qualification
Learners who have completed the MUATP micro-credential may be eligible to apply for 6-credit points of credit towards an award course, including P4005- Graduate Certificate of Advanced Pharmacy Practice (subject to credit limits).
