Make your mark in pharmacy by seeking appointment to the Pharmacy Board

23 Jan 2018

Pharmacy Board of Australia (the Board) practitioner and community member vacancies are now open for applications.

This is an opportunity for members in the profession and in the community with relevant skills, knowledge and experience to make their mark.

All Board appointments are made by the Ministerial Council for up to three years, under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, as in force in each state and territory (the National Law).

The Board plays a key role in regulating pharmacists through exercising its functions under the National Law and the health and safety of the public is core to its work.

‘These successful appointees will contribute to the Board’s delivery of its busy regulatory program. Pharmacists and community members with a real passion for patient safety are encouraged to apply,’ Board Chair William Kelly said.

‘Serving as a Board member is an honour and privilege. Board members play a key role in the regulation of pharmacists, whose vital work helps to keep our communities healthy. The specific skills, knowledge and experience of incoming members will contribute to the effective functioning of the Board in its protection of the public.’

In 2016/17, Board members working with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) have helped to:

• register and renew the registration of 30,360 pharmacists (4.5% of all registered health practitioners in Australia)
• register 7,540 students
• close 355 notifications (complaints) about pharmacists
• support the active monitoring of 175 pharmacists by AHPRA because conditions had been placed on their registration
• take immediate action on 21 matters relating to pharmacists, and
• support the management of 53 complaints made about pharmacists that may include possible statutory offences.

The Board also sets out the registration standards that establish the requirements for pharmacists to be registered to practise competently and safely in Australia. The Board also develops and publishes codes and guidelines for pharmacists to guide them in practice.

The Board has published insights from outgoing Board members to help those interested in applying to understand how the role of a Pharmacy Board member supports the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (the National Scheme). Interested applicants are encouraged to take a look.

The National Scheme has a commitment to increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ leadership and voices. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply, as are people from rural or regional areas in Australia.

More information about these vacancies, including application forms, is available on the AHPRA website and the Board’s website. Applicants can also find out more about the different pharmacy regulators and stakeholders in Australia.

Applications close Monday 19 February 2018 5pm AEST. For enquiries, please contact [email protected].