Inherent requirements for professional pharmacy programs

Our professional pharmacy programs have inherent requirements you must meet to be able to graduate.

Inherent requirements are core activities, tasks or skills that are essential to a program or course. They apply to the following programs:

Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
Graduate Certificate in Pharmacy Practice
Graduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy
Master of Clinical Pharmacy.

What you need to do

If you plan to apply for one of these programs, carefully read through the inherent requirements.

If you think you may experience any problems meeting them, contact a Student Adviser to discuss your needs and whether any reasonable adjustments can be made.

Learn more about inherent requirements at UQ

Inherent requirements should be read in conjunction with other information, including the program requirements as well as:

Ethical and professional behaviour

Context	Ethical and professional behaviour in academic and clinical/professional environments is required for the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of all.
What you need to demonstrate	You, the student, will demonstrate knowledge of and engage in ethical behaviour in academic and clinical/professional practice.
Why this is required	Complying with standards, codes, guidelines, and policies facilitates safe, competent interactions and relationships for students and the people they engage with. Ethical behaviour protects the rights and dignity of all and supports physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Reasonable adjustments must ensure that standards, codes, guidelines, and policies are maintained and do not result in unethical behaviour. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Comply with academic and non-academic codes of conduct, codes of ethics, standards, guidelines, and policies relevant to the University and the pharmacy profession, including those associated with academic integrity, informed consent, privacy, and behaviour that respects personal and professional boundaries. Work with others effectively, co-operatively, and in a professional manner in diverse and changing academic and practical experience settings (e.g. classrooms, laboratories, and placement or workplace settings). Have, and aspire to maintain, an academic record with no findings of academic or general misconduct. Manage confidential information appropriately in classroom and clinical settings. Reflect on ethical issues and take responsibility for demonstrating ethical awareness and conduct in classroom and clinical settings. Where relevant, practice within the Professional Practice Standards and National Competency Standards Framework for pharmacists in Australia.

Safe practice

Context	Compliance with current scope of practice, University and workplace health and safety requirements, infection control procedures and alarm systems are required for the safety of students, staff, and others.
What you need to demonstrate	You, the student, will demonstrate safe practice behaviours in academic and clinical/professional practice.
Why this is required	Compliance with current scope of practice, workplace health and safety, infection control considerations and effective and timely response to alarm systems are required to provide safe environments for students, staff, and others.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Reasonable adjustments must support safe practice. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Limit task performance to current scope of practice. Comply with course safety requirements before attending a placement. This includes having an appropriate immunisation record, a COVID-19 vaccination, a blue card, a national police certificate, and where applicable the ability to meet hospital and Queensland Health requirements. You may need to provide evidence of further safety requirements including a first aid and CPR certificate, disability worker screening clearance (a yellow card) and specific immunisations/vaccinations (e.g. influenza). Recognise if you have an infectious condition that could be transmitted during your study, placement or work setting, and take appropriate, timely action. Comply with relevant Workplace Health and Safety policies. Be able to identify and respond to hazards and alarms to maintain personal safety. Be able to wear rubber gloves, safety glasses and other relevant personal protective equipment.

Behavioural stability

Context	Interpersonal, social interaction and behavioural adaptability skills are necessary to effectively and sensitively function in academic and clinical/professional environments.
What you need to demonstrate	You, the student, will demonstrate appropriate interpersonal and social interactions and behavioural adaptability in diverse, unpredictable, and challenging academic and clinical environments.
Why this is required	Interpersonal and social interaction skills and behavioural adaptability are necessary to work in diverse, unpredictable, and challenging environments, whether individually or on a team. Pharmacy students may be exposed to emergency situations and human suffering and are required to have the behavioural stability to manage themselves and their activities in these environments.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Reasonable adjustments must support stable, effective, and professional behaviour in both academic and clinical settings. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Be receptive to constructive feedback and respond appropriately when feedback is provided. Be able to work effectively in the face of uncertainty and adapt to changing environments Accept and fulfill responsibilities you are given for patient/client care. Manage your own physical and emotional health, ensuring appropriate others are aware of conditions that may fluctuate and impact performance. Control the expression of own emotions to maintain a professional, respectful environment when working with people of varied personal and professional backgrounds and in times of increased stress or workload. Respect personal and professional boundaries. Effectively prioritise competing demands to manage workload. Manage multiple tasks and complex demands with composure and focus. Dress appropriately and safely for the clinical workplace.

Legal

Context	Pharmacy practice is regulated by Australian laws and professional standards to enable the safe delivery of care.
What you need to demonstrate	You, the student, will demonstrate knowledge of and compliance with Australian laws, professional standards, and scope of practice.
Why this is required	Showing an understanding of and compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements reduces the risk of harm to self and others, and is a necessary prerequisite to clinical placements. Compliance with Australian laws and regulations ensures students are responsible and accountable for their practice.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Reasonable adjustments must be consistent with legislative and regulatory requirements. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Comply with the appropriate Pharmacy Board Australia (AHPRA) Registration Standards. Comply with relevant legislation including child protection and safety legislation, work health and safety legislation and anti-discrimination legislation. Practice within contemporary federal and state pharmacy laws and regulations. Provide evidence where required of your personal history and activities (e.g. police check and Blue Card).

Communication

Context	Effective communication in English is an essential requirement to provide safe and competent pharmacy care.
What you need to demonstrate	The ability to understand and accurately and appropriately respond to verbal communication in a timely manner.. The ability to give and receive clear instructions in classroom or clinical situations. The capacity to produce coherent written material, including documents and records. The capacity to recognise, interpret and respond appropriately to behavioural cues. Consistent and appropriate awareness of your own behaviours. Sensitivity to individual and cultural difference.
Why this is required	Communicating with others in a respectful and empathetic way develops trusting relationships. Timely, accurate and effective delivery of instructions is critical to individual safety, treatment, and management. Effective communication is needed to complete written assessment tasks that reflect the required academic standards necessary to convey knowledge and understanding of relevant subject matter for professional practice. The ability to observe and understand non-verbal cues helps to build rapport and develop trustful and respectful relationships in academic and professional contexts. Being sensitive to individual and cultural differences shows respect for others and develops trustful and empathetic relationships.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Reasonable adjustments must address issues concerning the effectiveness, timeliness, clarity, and accuracy of communication to achieve safe and appropriate care. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Comprehend spoken English delivered at a conversational speed. Understand and respond to verbal communications accurately, appropriately and in a timely manner. Communicate clearly, audibly, and intelligibly in English. Participate in tutorial, simulation, and clinical discussions. Read and comprehend information presented in a variety of standard formats. Record information accurately and make coherent notes. Create accurate, concise, and clear pharmacy documentation in English. Perceive non-verbal communication from others and respond appropriately (in context). Communicate respectively with people of different gender, sexuality, and age, and from diverse cultural, religious, socio-economic, and educational backgrounds.

Cognition

Context	Cognitive ability and the capacity to learn and recall information are essential in providing safe and competent pharmacy care.
What you need to demonstrate	The capacity to locate appropriate and relevant information. The ability to process information relevant to practice. The ability to integrate, reflect on and implement knowledge in classroom and clinical settings.
Why this is required	Safe and effective delivery of pharmacy care relies on comprehensive knowledge that is sourced, understood, and applied appropriately.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Reasonable adjustments must ensure knowledge can be clearly demonstrated and cognitive skills are not compromised or impeded. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Gather, interpret, understand, retain, and use appropriate knowledge in academic settings and for assessment items. Appropriately apply knowledge of policy and procedures in clinical settings. Integrate theory and knowledge from various sources. Develop options and assess and compare their respective merits. Engage in scientific and clinical reasoning. Engage in rational and ethical reasoning. Understand another person’s perspective. Accurately understand arithmetic calculations. Maintain a sufficient level of concentration to focus on an activity to completion.

Physical

Context	Pharmacy study and practice can be physically demanding, and some physical skills are essential in providing safe and competent pharmacy care.
What you need to demonstrate	You, the student, will demonstrate the ability to physically function within scope of practice.
Why this is required	Students must be able to demonstrate and perform some physical tasks consistently and safely to reduce the risk of harm to themselves and others.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Reasonable adjustments should facilitate functional effectiveness, safety of self and others, and a capacity to provide appropriate care. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Participate in tutorials, lectures, and skills development activities. Attend clinical or practicum placements in a range of physical settings (e.g., urban, rural, hospital, clinics) and for the required number of hours, within a reasonable period.

Sustainable performance

Context	Pharmacy study and practice requires both physical and mental endurance at a consistent and sustained level.
What you need to demonstrate	Consistent and sustained physical energy to complete specific tasks in a timely manner. The ability to perform repetitive activities with a level of concentration that ensures a capacity to focus on the activity until it is completed appropriately. The capacity to maintain consistency and quality of performance throughout the designated period of time.
Why this is required	Sufficient physical and mental endurance are essential to performing multiple tasks in an assigned period and to provide safe and effective care.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Reasonable adjustments must ensure that performance is consistent and sustained over a given period. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Participate in tutorials, lectures, and skills development activities. Provide consistent, appropriate, and quality care across the practicum period associated with courses that require clinical placement.

Need more information?

If you're not sure what an inherent requirement means, contact the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Adapted from Inherent Requirements © Western Sydney University, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial Share Alike 4.0 International licence.