Postgraduate Diploma in Hospital Pharmacy Management

Purpose

This qualification targeted at qualified pharmacists who wish to practise in the field of hospital pharmacy management. The purpose of the qualification is to extend the competencies of pharmacists and prepare them to practise as hospital pharmacy managers and to provide them with comprehensive management skills to manage a hospital pharmacy effectively. Integrated teaching and learning is used to facilitate holistic thinking from the pharmacist.

The main aims of the qualification include the following

• To provide management training to hospital pharmacists already employed, especially in the underserved areas.
• To equip hospital pharmacy managers and future managers with the ability to focus on the application of their knowledge and skills in the workplace.
• To improve management processes in hospital pharmacies to contribute to pharmaceutical services management and deliver services to patients in the most cost-, time- and resource-effective manner.

Rationale

The qualification aims to provide learners with a broad-based theoretical and practical knowledge of hospital pharmacy management. Public sector hospital pharmacists in many countries, including South Africa and other Southern African countries, are required to have a variety of skills if they are to function effectively in bringing pharmaceutical products and services to those who need them, and in ensuring that they are appropriately used, particularly in underserved areas. One of the most critical areas of all in-hospital pharmacy management and supervision. For example, it is estimated that South Africa's public sector expenditure on pharmaceuticals is currently approximately R14 billion. However, there is no training programme which leads to a postgraduate qualification available, even covering such essential aspects as Human Resources, Financial Management and Medicines' Supply Management, with a particular emphasis on their integration for Pharmaceutical Services.

The qualification is designed to meet the needs of hospital pharmacists who have completed the qualification (or equivalent) and who wish to further their competencies in the field of pharmaceutical services and develop their careers in the hospital pharmacy management. An increase in the number of pharmacists with specialised knowledge in hospital pharmacy management will contribute to capacity building in this field and the overall development of healthcare in South Africa. This qualification is not intended for registration purposes with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) but as an additional qualification. Hence, at this stage, SAPC approval is not required. Once the qualification is offered, details will be provided to the SAPC so that its holders can register it as an additional qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

In the interim, reference is made to RPL as stipulated by the 'National Policy for the implementation of the Recognition of Prior Learning, SAQA 2013'. Because this will be a Postgraduate Diploma in Hospital Pharmacy Management for pharmacists, entrance into the qualification will only be for pharmacists, and minimum admission qualification will be the same as for a Master's Degree in the field of pharmacy. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will, therefore, be selective, will only apply to pharmacists and be considered as per the institution's rules and Admission to study for a Master's Degree.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor or Honour's Degree in Pharmacy, NQF Level 8 or equivalent.

And

• Registration with the South African Pharmacy Council as a pharmacist post community service.
• At least three years' experience of working as a Pharmacist in a hospital pharmacy setting.

This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at NQF Level 8, 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules: 120 Credits

• The Management Process, 24 Credits.
• Human Resources Management, 24 Credits.
• Financial Management, 24 Credits.
• Medicine's Management, 24 Credits.
• Research process, 24 Credits.

1. Perform sound management processes, styles and skills in managing a hospital pharmacy.
2. Provide well-managed human resources in the hospital pharmacy.
3. Manage the hospital pharmacy as a cost-effective unit.
4. Manage the supply and use of medicines so that medicines are efficient, safe, suitable and available.
5. Display synthesis of learning through a research or quality improvement project in the working environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Use appropriate tools are in place to analyse him/herself as a manager.
• Identify relevant management types and styles - according to existing tools in the marketplace.
• Assess own management skills accurately according to existing assessment instruments.
• Use sound management processes, styles and skills in managing a hospital pharmacy.
• Analyse the effectiveness of the use of management processes used in a hospital pharmacy concerning assessment tools for planning, organising, leading and control.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• A strategy exists that will enable the hospital pharmacy to perform all the necessary duties.
• Use well-organised staff complement, effective communication system, effective task structuring and multi-tasking, effective record-keeping system, problem-solving through effective counselling.
• Develop and use sound selection criteria and sound selection methods from job analysis. Follow correct termination procedures.
• Provide and perform accurate needs analysis, essential and productive induction training and developmental opportunities.
• Handle each aspect of the performance management cycle correctly, i.e. task structuring, equipping, monitoring of work, performance appraisal (formative and summative), dealing with outcomes of appraisal.
• Satisfactory and fair labour relations exist as a result of honouring all aspects of labour relations systems and laws.
• Decisions comply with the organisation's remuneration policy.
• Interpret statistics correctly and identify possible problem areas.
• Wellness programmes are in place to develop positive organisational behaviour.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Comply with the organisation's financial system, legal and policy framework.
• Explain bookkeeping, accounting and financial accounting principles.
• Design a business plan according to accepted financial concepts and principles.
• Include all the necessary financial controls in a financial control plan of a hospital pharmacy.
• Use existing systems and initiate new information systems.
• Regularly perform appropriate cost analysis for the hospital pharmacy.
• Institute appropriate risk management in a hospital pharmacy.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• The pharmacy and therapeutics committee performs all functions required with its primary focus on medicines and therapeutics related aspects.
• Apply all measures appropriate to a particular hospital pharmacy's situation to ensure rational medicines use.
• Pharmacy-economic principles are evident from proper decision-making.
• Prepare, analyse and act upon reports on the rational use of medicines.
• Drive procurement operations in a systematic, productive and effective manner.
• Retrieve information required from the Health Information System.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Write a research protocol for submission to an ethics committee.
• Apply a proper research methodology to investigate problems and measure the effectiveness of interventions.
• Analyse, interpret and present data in a written research report.
• Complete a project in their working environment to indicate a synthesis of learning.

Integrated Assessment

Small group discussions during the planned contact sessions will be based on problem-based learning. Throughout all the modules, learners will pre- and post - assess themselves, and in some cases, each other, to assess their progress. Most of the work will be done by practical small-group assignments based on problem-based learning. Groups will meet periodically to work on assignments. Learners will attend several blocks throughout the year to practise interactive skills, interaction with staff and to solve any problems or queries. During the contact sessions, interactive skills will be practised and through the interaction between learners and facilitator problems and queries will be managed. Continuous assessment will take place through work-based group and individual projects. Individual assignments will be performed at the end of each module. These assignments will integrate learning that took place during the module and complete the assessment of the particular module. Formative and summative assessment is integrated mainly through work-related assignments. A combination of integrated assessment strategies, which will combine both formative and summative assessment and evaluation, will be used to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved. Assessments may include, but are not limited to, the following strategies:

• Written assessments and examinations,
• Written assignments,
• Case studies (individual and group),
• Electronic quizzes,
• Self-assessment strategies and peer-group assessment,
• Simulations, role-play and work-place assessments,
• Oral presentations,
• Oral assessment: Upward counselling,
• Portfolio of evidence (of work-based learning),
• Protocol report,
• Research report.