Unit outline_

PHAR3100: Clinical Placement A and B

Intensive June - July, 2025 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The clinical experience program in the undergraduate Pharmacy programs reflects the contemporary healthcare environment. The placements are carried out at hospital and community pharmacies, and include opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, professional organisations and in rural health settings. By the completion of their course, at least one of those placements will be in a hospital setting. Students can expect that at least one of their placements may be outside of the Sydney metropolitan area, potentially in a rural location. Students must undertake their placements in geographical areas that will provide them with a diverse range of professional experience and can expect to travel up to 90-120 mins to their placement site from their residential address (registered in Sydney Student). Clinical Placements A and B (PHAR3100) is the first of three units of study where students are required to complete a supervised Clinical Placement. This Unit of Study provides students with opportunities to observe and participate in the real­ life applications of the profession under supervision. PHAR3100 allows students to apply the theory and skills that they have learnt through their on ­campus course studies across a variety of professional settings, including but not limited to, community and hospital pharmacy. The overall objectives of the Clinical Placements Program are to familiarise students with their future professional roles and working environments, and to guide them in developing professional skills and behaviours. Students enrolled in PHAR3100 are required to maintain a Portfolio. Students will work on the components of this portfolio in PHAR3100 and across the Clinical Placements Program. Students are expected to attend pre­placement lectures and required to participate in the post-placement Debrief Session. Students are assessed based on their Portfolio submission and their Preceptor Assessment which involves evaluation of their performance, professionalism and behaviour during placement. Before you can attend a placement, you need to have certain clinical placement checks and clearances. The checks can be completed after your enrolment in the course.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Pharmacy
Credit points 0
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Claire O'Reilly, claire.oreilly@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 4 July 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation hurdle task Debrief Session
Facilitated peer-to-peer learning activity (post-placement).
0% Multiple weeks 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO6 LO7
Skills-based evaluation hurdle task AI Allowed Health Collaboration Challenge
Participation in the HCC, video, abstract, peer review, and peer marking
0% Multiple weeks
Due date: 15 Aug 2025 at 23:59
1 day and associated tasks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5
Placement hurdle task Placement
10 day block clinical placement. Block A: July 7-18 Block B: July 21-1 Aug
0% Multiple weeks 10 days
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment hurdle task AI Allowed Portfolio
Portfolio includes reflective tasks based on placement activities.
0% Multiple weeks
Due date: 15 Aug 2025 at 23:59
Due 2 weeks after placement
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO6
Skills-based evaluation hurdle task Preceptor Assessment
Preceptor evaluation of professionalism, communication and time management
0% Week 06
Due date: 12 Sep 2025 at 23:59
1 page
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
AI allowed = AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

 

  • Placement: This unit of study requires placement/s to be undertaken over two weeks in a single two week block, as timetabled. All blocks are to be completed Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm unless stated otherwise by the School of Pharmacy (i.e. 10 days of 7 hours per day plus breaks).
  • Portfolio: Students will submit a portfolio. Students must pass this assessment (25/50). This portfolio is due two weeks after completion of placement (various placement blocks).
  • Preceptor assessment: Your preceptor will assess your performance during placement. Students must pass this assessment (25/50).
  • Healthcare Challenge Collaboration (HCC) Abstract and Video: Delivered externally by the FMH Interprofessional Learning Team. Students must pass this assessment (participate in the HCC, video, abstract,peer review and peer marking). 

No use of AI tools: (Debrief, Preceptor assessment, Health Collabaration Challenge, Placement)
The use of automated writing tools and generative artificial intelligence is prohibited in all assessments for this unit. You are not allowed to use AI or any other software to create information or answers, to alter your own original writing, or to generate or modify text from other sources. This includes translation software, editing/paraphrasing software and other generative artificial intelligence tools. 
 
Unapproved use is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and may result in penalties, which can include a fail for the assessment.

AI tools permitted (Portfolio)

You are permitted to use automated writing tools and generative artificial intelligence (AI) to facilitate your learning and completion of this assignment.  Please adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Do not enter confidential, personal, copyrighted or otherwise sensitive information into any AI tool.
  • Do not rely on the accuracy of outputs. You remain responsible for your work. This means you must independently verify and edit AI-generated content to ensure the integrity, accuracy, and suitability of the output.
  • If you use these tools, you must be aware of their limitations, biases, and propensity for fabrication.

 Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission, must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to reference and acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

 You are advised to keep copies of the prompts you provided and AI outputs as evidence of your research and writing process. This allows you to produce an accurate acknowledgement of AI use when you submit your work. This can be requested by the unit coordinator if there is any uncertainty about the originality of your work.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

This unit of study is Grade only. No marks will be awarded.

Result code

Result name Mark range

Description

SR

Satisfied requirements No mark When you don’t meet the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard, for units which are marked as either Satisfied requirements or Failed requirements.

FR

Failed requirements No mark When you meet the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard, for units which are marked as either Satisfied requirements or Failed requirements.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator. 

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions. 

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit. 

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply. 

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Placement Debrief Workshop (1 hr) LO4 LO6 LO7
Clinical Placements (10 days, 7 hours per day plus breaks) Placement (70 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Pre-semester Briefing lecture (prior to placement) Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Progressive Learning independently including pre-work, post-work, reports and assignments Independent study (20 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week -03 Healthcare Collaboration Challenge (HCC) Block teaching (7 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: To pass this unit, students are required to complete all days of placement at your allocated site. Failure to do so will result in an immediate fail in this unit. If you miss any of your placement (even 1 hour) you need to write to the preceptor and Placement Team. If you are going to miss one full day (or more) then you need to apply for Special Consideration. If you make up a placement, then you need to submit a second portfolio. Failure to do so may result in additional placement hours and/or tasks in order to satisfactorily pass this unit.
  • Equipment: Professional attire is required for attendance at all placement sites. Students need to order a Sydney Pharmacy School Placement Shirt prior to your placement (see SPS Placements Canvas page). Students are required to wear this shirt at all times whilst on placement.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. communicate effectively with patients, families, carers, and other health care professionals
  • LO2. apply systematic reasoning processes to address a range of health and drug-related problems
  • LO3. provide patient education in relation to medicines and therapeutic and monitoring devices
  • LO4. demonstrate appropriate attitudes and values in personal and professional dealings and business practice
  • LO5. work effectively and cooperatively as a member of a learning team and/or an interprofessional clinical team to provide high quality patient care
  • LO6. engage in continuous reflection and take personal responsibility for personal and professional development
  • LO7. learn independently and take responsibility for personal learning.
  • LO8. demonstrate understanding of laws that govern the supply of medicines and the practice of pharmacy

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Thank you to everyone who had made time to complete the Unit of Study Survey. The strength of this unit remains to be the hands-on experience students gain and the opportunity to apply concepts which are learnt in-class to the real-world. We also pleased to report that student satisfaction remained high during 2024. It was also encouraging to see to numerous students had only positive feedback to provide and are satisfied with the program overall. We note that supportive and engaged preceptors are essential for a positive learning experience and remain committed to briefing preceptors to be prepared for placements including activities students are expected to complete. Students are urged to contact the unit coordinator if preceptors are unable to contribute to students learning goals as early as possible. Thank you all again for your thoughtful feedback.

Additional costs

Travel and accommodation. Please note that there may be funding for some regional, rural and remote sites available from the following sources: - Rural Placement Allowance Scheme from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing (domestics students only) - NSW Rural Allied Health Clinical Placement Grants from HETI (domestic students only) - Sue Mueller Placement Scholarships (domestic and international students) - Individual site benefits See specific site notes in SONIA for more details about funding.

Site visit guidelines

Contact your preceptor by phone or in-person to introduce yourself and confirm your placement at least one week prior to commencement of placement.

Work, health and safety

  • Clinical placement checks and clearances (including verification of immunisations and Criminal Record Check) – Full verification by the Office of Clinical Education Support required for students to undertake placements. This process involves fulfilment of immunisation requirements which can typically take six months to complete. Students were advised on this at enrolment and no exceptions will be made for students who are not fully verified. See FMH Placement Canvas page for further information. 
  • Full vaccination against COVID-19
  • Working with Children Check
  • Pharmacy Placement WHS Checklist (available via Canvas)

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.