Outline

Overview

The clinical experience program in the Master of Pharmacy 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. Experiential Placement 1B is the second 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. 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 PHAR5918 are required to maintain a Portfolio. Students are expected to attend pre-placement 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.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Pharmacy
Credit points	3
Prerequisites ?	PHAR5718
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Jan-Willem Alffenaar, johannes.alffenaar@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 5 December 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Peer or expert observation or supervision	Preceptor Assessment Preceptor assessment	70%	Multiple weeks	-	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical or creative task	Participation Post-placement debrief (assessed on attendance, participation and conduct)	0%	Multiple weeks	1 hour	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	WIL Portfolio WIL Portfolio	30%	Multiple weeks	4 - 6 pages	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Attendance - accreditation or faculty requirement	Placement Block Placement	0%	Multiple weeks	70 hours	Not applicable
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

All three criteria below must be met to pass the UoS.

1. Completion of all placement hours.

2. Score of at least 50% on the portfolio.

3. Score of at least 50% on the preceptor evaluation.

Preceptor assessment: Your preceptor will assess your performance during the placement

Placement Participation: Placements are from Monday – Friday, satisfactory participation is required.

ePortfolio: which will comprise of:

a reflective diary including future goals
EPA (Entrustable Professional Activity) self assessment
QUM (Quality Use of Medicines) case report

Submission is due 2 weeks after the placements.

WHS/Confidentiality forms: need to be submitted on the first day of placement via SONIA

AI allowed

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.

No use of AI

 The use of automated writing tools and generative artificial intelligence is prohibited in this assessment. 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.

Assessment criteria

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

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	At HD level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to students who demonstrate the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.
Distinction	75 - 84	At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the units material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.
Credit	65 - 74	At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the units material and can solve routine problems and/ or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.
Pass	50 - 64	At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory adequately referencing the original source of the work.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Multiple weeks	Placement	Self-directed learning (70 hr)
	Briefing Clinical Placement	Lecture (1 hr)
	debriefing clinical placement	Lecture (1 hr)
Ongoing	Self-directed independent study	Placement (40 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance and participation: You must attend all 70 hours of your clinical placement and debrief participation is compulsory. Students must attend the allocated placement sites and times as indicated in SONIA.
Dress requirements: Students must wear the Sydney Pharmacy School placement shirt and appropriate business trousers during placement. Casual clothes (including jeans, sneakers or running shoes) are not permitted unless explicitly specified by the preceptor. Inappropriate attire may result in a student being disallowed on site which may results in delay in academic progression.

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. For a 3 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 60-75 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

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 a systematic reasoning process to address a range of health and medicines-related problems
LO3. provide safe and appropriate recommendations to ensure quality use of medicines and/or medical devices by patients and/or the carers
LO4. demonstrate appropriate attitudes, values and behaviours 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 responsibility for personal and professional development
LO7. learn independently and take responsibility for personal learning
LO8. apply knowledge of relevant legislations and ethical principles to 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
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - 2.1. communicating appropriately and effectively with a socially and culturally diverse range of people in a manner which inspires confidence and trust by
	Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - 3.1.c. applying effective critical thinking, reasoning and problem-solving strategies to conceptualise problems, formulate a range of potential solutions, and support decision-making
	Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - 3.1. formulating appropriate and effective actions and recommendations which support safe, rational and cost-effective use of medicines and other healthcare options and optimise socially accountable person-centred care by 3.2. making and prioritising recommendations to manage health, medical and medication needs of patients, including both pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies, based on the Quality Use of Medicines Framework and the best available evidence
	Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - 1.5. practising ethically and with integrity by
	Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - 2.3.a. demonstrating an understanding and appreciation of the roles of pharmacists and other members of the interprofessional collaborative care team 2.3.c. demonstrating appropriate teamwork behaviours
	Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - 1.6. demonstrating a proactive and reflective approach to developing their own professional competence and expertise
	Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - 1.8. accepting personal responsibility and accountability for decisions and actions in simulated and/or work-integrated learning environments
	Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - 1.4.a. demonstrating contemporary knowledge and application of legal requirements relating to community and hospital pharmacy practice within their jurisdiction

Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
1.4.a		demonstrating contemporary knowledge and application of legal requirements relating to community and hospital pharmacy practice within their jurisdiction
1.5.a		identifying potential ethical issues and dilemmas, including conflicts of interest, relating to practice
1.5.b		considering alternative strategies and choosing an appropriate course of action in response to ethical issues and dilemmas
1.5.c		demonstrating awareness of relevant professional codes, guidelines and standards and their content
1.5.d		recognising and formulating strategies to respond appropriately to situations which fall outside their expected scope of practice or competence
1.6		demonstrating a proactive and reflective approach to developing their own professional competence and expertise
1.8		accepting personal responsibility and accountability for decisions and actions in simulated and/or work-integrated learning environments
2.1.a		demonstrating appropriately tailored verbal, written and non-verbal communication
2.1.b		engaging with all persons in a respectful, culturally appropriate, compassionate, responsive and empathetic manner
2.1.c		demonstrating awareness of and sensitivity to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and/or Māori history, communication styles and community protocols
2.1.d		demonstrating appropriate communication and interpersonal behaviours
2.3.a		demonstrating an understanding and appreciation of the roles of pharmacists and other members of the interprofessional collaborative care team
2.3.b		creating and maintaining effective intra- and interprofessional relationships, and working in partnership to achieve negotiated, agreed-upon objectives
3.1.a		applying relevant underpinning knowledge
3.1.b		using a systematic approach to access, critically evaluate and apply relevant evidence
3.1.c		applying effective critical thinking, reasoning and problem-solving strategies to conceptualise problems, formulate a range of potential solutions, and support decision-making
3.1.d		making decisions which are tailored to the person’s individual circumstances, and reflect a balanced consideration of both the potential benefits and potential harms
3.2		making and prioritising recommendations to manage health, medical and medication needs of patients, including both pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies, based on the Quality Use of Medicines Framework and the best available evidence

Responding to student feedback

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

This is the first time this unit has been offered

Additional information

Please complete the Pre-placement Checklist (in Canvas) at least a week prior to commencement of your placement.

Additional costs

Travel and accommodation. Please note that funding may be available 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

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)

Working with Children Check

Pharmacy Placement WHS Checklist (available via Canvas)

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

PHAR5918: Experiential Placement 1B

Intensive November - December, 2025 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links