Expressions of interest sought for learning placements
APPEL (Affiliation for Pharmacy Practice Experiential Learning) has said it is now seeking expressions of interest from pharmacists in community and hospital pharmacy settings who would like to facilitate an experiential learning placement for a final-year pharmacy student next year.
Pharmacy students in Ireland now undertake a five-year integrated masters programme to become qualified pharmacists. Key to this new programme are the experiential learning placements that students undertake throughout the course. In the fifth year of their studies, students solidify their learning by completing an eight-month placement in a patient-facing setting before becoming eligible to sit the Professional Registration Examination (PRE) and enter the PSI register. Pharmacists who have previously facilitated APPEL placements have found the experience enjoyable and rewarding, said APPEL. In surveys, 90 per cent of pharmacists said they would recommend facilitating a placement to other pharmacists. The advantages of facilitating an APPEL placement include:
Continuing professional development: APPEL Trainer Training can contribute to pharmacists’ CPD, as can the experience of facilitating a placement.
Development of your talent pipeline: Many students will look to start their career in the organisations or practice settings where they undertook their placements.
Engagement: Participating in the APPEL programme provides you with the opportunity to increase awareness of your pharmacy/organisation. APPEL training and events provide valuable networking opportunities.
The next fifth-year placements will run from 4 January to 27 August 2021. The deadline to confirm interest in offering placements is 9 March 2020. This can be done by visiting https://forms.gle/GT7AsjjA6ZbKRrwx8. For queries or further information, call 01-4025129 or email ops@appel.ie.
