60 61
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5.7.4. Current key strategic outcomes
Improved career structure for progression and advancement
A review of the pharmacy career structure in the public health care sector was conducted with a new career pathway framework being introduced in 2009 (Figure 5.7.1). Under the new career framework, pharmacists in the public health care sector can develop their career in professional, clinical, or research tracks. Besides enhancing professional development, the new career framework also attracts and retains pharmacists and expands the pool of future pharmacy leaders needed to guide the profession.
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MinYrs of Eperience Clinician Specialist
Clinician Scientist
Pharmacy Pratice Manager
Senior Principal Pharmacist
Principal Pharmacist
Senior Pharmacist
Consultant (clinical)
Associate Consultant (clinical)
Pharmacist
Pharmacy Assistents
Pharmacy Technicians Storekeepers Administrative staff
Pre-registration pharmacist
Clinical Pharmacist
Pharmacist (entry level)
Pharmacist
Senior Principal Pharmacist
Principal Clinical
Pharmacist
Senior Clinical
Pharmacist
Pharmacy Clinican Scientist
Associate Pharmacy Clinican Scientit
Principal Pharmacist Researcher
Senior Pharmacist Researcher
Clinician Administrator
6/8 yrs
4/6 yrs 2/4 yrs
1/2 yrs
1 yr
SUPPORT
PUPIL
JUNIOR
SENIOR
ADVANCED MANAGERIAL
8/10 yrs
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Salary revision and benchmarking
Through regular salary review exercises, the salaries of pharmacists in the public health care sector are adjusted. The most recent salary review was completed in April 2012.
Training scholarships
The Ministry of Health has set aside funding to encourage more pharmacists to pursue specialist training. The funding provides 35 scholarships in specialist residency training and supports another 43 in doctorate and master s degree programmes.
Establishment of pharmacy specialization framework
The establishment of Pharmacy Specialist Accreditation Board (PSAB) in February 2012 is an exciting development for pharmacists. PSAB defines the specialties in the practice of pharmacy and certifies those who meet the requisites of both qualifications and experience for registration as specialists in the public sector. The Singapore Pharmacy Council will maintain the Register of Specialists.
Role redesign of pharmacy technicians
Pharmacy technicians form an important component, accounting for up to 73% of our workforce in some institutions. Development of the pharmacy technician workforce, competencies, and new roles will therefore serve as an important strategy to mitigate the effects of pharmacist shortages and support expanded roles for pharmacists in clinical areas.
Review of pre-registration pharmacist training framework
The Singapore Pharmacy Council has recently completed its review of the existing pre-registration pharmacist s training programme. The review has led to structural and delivery changes to training and review of the undergraduate pharmacy curriculum. The training will be centrally coordinated, with compulsory and elective modules aimed at achieving desired minimum practice competencies. It is important for joint development of education and training to ensure continuity of transition from undergraduate studies to practice.
Training framework for pharmacy support workforce
The first structured pharmacy technician training course was run by the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore (PSS) more
than 17 years ago to meet the evolving pharmacy service needs in hospitals. In 2009, PSS achieved Approved Training Organisation (ATO) status from the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA). WDA accredit pharmacy technicians and assistants training courses and the government subsidizes the course fees as part of the country s adult learning and skills development strategy.
Collaboration with Agency of Integrated Care
PSS, in collaboration with the Agency of Integrated Care (AIC), embarked on a pilot pharmaceutical care programme in Voluntary Welfare Organizations (VWO) nursing homes in August 2011. The programme includes: a) Medication review and reconciliation for nursing home residents, b) Drawing up policies and procedures with nursing homes to ensure safe medication use practices, and c) Training of and support for nursing staff to ensure better understanding of medications used by residents and safe medication practices. Preliminary data show positive outcomes including safer and improved medication use process, resolution of drug-related problems, and good nursing staff feedback for the training provided by pharmacists. PSS and AIC will present the pilot programme results and will discuss with the Ministry to explore the mandatory requirement for nursing homes to engage pharmacist services.
Leverage on information technology and automation to advance care and services
Singapore has developed a pharmacy blueprint with a vision to deliver quality care and adding value through pharmacy information technology (IT). The mission is to develop a world class pharmacy IT system that enables value-added services to achieve quality, integrated patient care across the health care continuum. This is driven by pharmacists working with patients and other health care providers to look into our health care delivery processes. In hospitals, this is being done in inpatient and outpatient areas. Three hospitals have completed their inpatient closed loop medication management systems and by 2014 will implement outpatient automation systems. These will bring pharmacy practice to another level of safety and efficiency, enabling pharmacists to concentrate on improving patient care, reviewing drug-related problems, and reducing preventable adverse drug events. Other automation such as robots for intravenous compounding and cytotoxic preparation will be explored as these mature.
Facilitating and enabling legislation and regulation
Pharmacist specialisation is provided for under the Pharmacist Registration Act 2007. By September 2012, the pharmacist specialist register will include the following disciplines: oncology and pharmacotherapy geriatrics, cardiology, psychiatry,
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Figure 5.7.1. Pharmacy career framework in the public health care sector