With the role of pharmacies expanding The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch President, Chris Owen, has urged residents of Brisbane and the Gold Coast to take up the opportunity to gain skills in community pharmacy via the Queensland Government’s fully funded training course.
“Pharmacies will always play a key role in keeping the community healthy. In recent years, this role has grown bigger and community pharmacies have become integral primary health care providers,” said Mr Owen.
“Those in and around Brisbane and the Gold Coast who are eligible have a great opportunity in 2023 to become qualified pharmacy assistants via the Queensland Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative and work in Queensland’s extensive network of more than 1,200 community pharmacies.”
Mr Owen said the fully-funded program offered an excellent opportunity for community members to join the respected pharmacy profession.
“Once working as a pharmacy assistant, there are opportunities to specialise in particular areas that interest you and further your career by completing additional training through the Guild,” said Mr Owen.
The Fundamentals of Community Pharmacy course is fully subsidised for eligible participants through the Queensland Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work program. After the successful delivery of 11 courses in 2022, The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch, continues to deliver these successful courses in 2023.
The in-person courses run for seven weeks and incorporates 10 days of vocational placement in a community pharmacy where participants can put their learning into action and gain practical experience.
Successful graduates of the course will receive a nationally accredited SIR20116 Certificate II in Community Pharmacy and gain the skills and knowledge required to meet the needs of community pharmacy patients.
