Division of Health Sciences
School of Nursing and Midwifery
School of Nursing and Midwifery
Please note that the Professional Certificate in Pharmacology for Advanced Practice will NOT be offered in 2010.
This course has been developed to meet the needs of all health professionals involved in prescribing and supply of medication.
Equivalent to 9units
Completed over one study period (i.e. 1 study period or semester/6 months study).
The course is equivalent to 9.0 units, and participants should be prepared to dedicate 15-20 hours each week over the 13-week semester. This time will allow for completion of study activities, readings, individual study and completion of assessment items. Costs associated with textbooks, airfares, additional accommodation and meals, are the responsibility of the participant
There will be a compulsory two day workshop (at the end of week 4 or 5 of the study period) on campus at UniSA.
The School of Nursing and Midwifery’s Professionally Accredited Courses are highly regarded locally, nationally and internationally. Successful completion of this course will enhance your professional standing, helping you to generate opportunities to further develop your career.
The course is accredited by the Nurses Board of Victoria as suitable for authorisation as a Nurse Practitioner
Credit for this course will be given to participants who undertake the Master of Nursing Science (Nurse Practitioner) program at the University of South Australia.
Further Information: Course Information page
To successfully complete this course a basic knowledge of pharmacology is required. Typically, applicants will be registered nurses or health professionals who have successfully completed a relevant tertiary program, or equivalent.
This course has been designed to underpin the health professionals preparation to prescribe medications to defined client populations where a need to do so will enhance the quality and delivery of care.
On completion of this course students should be able to:
critically examine the shared, delegated and independent nature of their role as it applies to prescribing and administering medications in their specialty field
analyse the significance of each controlled-substance schedule as defined in the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 and analyse distinct areas of drug control as related to their practice specialty
explore drug classifications related to their specialty and critically analyse factors pertaining to the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacotherapeutics, and major adverse effects of each drug group
critically evaluate drug information sources and analyse their significance in prescribing and administering medications
assess the legal and ethical implications of prescribing and administering medications
critically examine sociocultural factors influencing drug therapy in the very young and the elderly, and in immigrants and indigenous people
critically examine the role of the health professional in the clinical testing of new drugs
demonstrate an understanding of the role of the health professional as a patient educator involved in ensuring that clients make informed decisions about prescribed and non-prescribed medications.
The program covers pharmacology topics including pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacotherapeutics, adverse effects, quality use of medicines; the role of the practitioner in prescribing and administering medication; patient education and compliance issues, policies, acts and codes which regulate the supply, prescription and advertising of drugs; and the socio-cultural, legal and ethical implications of drug therapy including drug trials.
In addition, major drug classifications and the commonly prescribed drugs in each class will be explored so that participants gain a broad understanding of prescribing patterns and the implications of these as they relate to various specialities. Participants will be encouraged to examine the drugs used in their own speciality and to explore and justify the need to supply and prescribe medications to a defined population. This program will assist those practitioners who may wish to seek authorisation to supply and prescribe within a hospital, health care clinic, community or private practice setting.
This course is delivered online and participants will be provided with comprehensive Readings that are on reserve in the University of South Australia Library as well as the Readings that are accessible electronically via the web. Online discussion groups are a feature of the course and there will be lecturer support via email, phone or fax.
The two-day workshop will be held at the University of South Australia in about week 4 or 5 of the study period. The workshop will be delivered by experts in pharmacology who have a strong clinical focus and considerable political experience.
Assessment is progressive throughout the program and consists of assignments and an open book exam at the end of the semester. Participants may choose not to undertake the assessment but will then be unable to claim credit in a tertiary program.
Birkett, DJ (2003), Pharmacokinetics made easy, Sydney: McGraw-Hill
AMH 5th Ed (2004), Australian medicines handbook, Adelaide: Australian Medicines Handbook Pty Ltd - website www.amh.net.au
TGA (1999) Prescribing medicines in pregnancy, 4th Ed, Canberra: Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australian Drug Evaluation Committee.
(Subject to sufficient student enrolments)
Study Period 2 (semester 1) commencing 16/02/2009 to 03/07/2009
Study Period 5 (Semester 2) – 13/07/2009 to 27/11/2009
Study Period 2 – end January
Study Period 5 – end June
Study Period 2 (Semester 1) – March 31st 2009
Study Period 5 (Semester 2) - August 31st 2009
A fee of $ 3309.48 applies for this Professional Accredited Course.
http://www.unisa.edu.au/future/fees/nonaward.asp
Application for Professional Development Course
If you require assistance with the application form please contact Campus Central City East who can assist you personally.
Carol Grech
Program Director: International
School of Nursing and Midwifery
University of South Australia
Telephone: +61 8 8302 2754
E-mail: carol.grech@unisa.edu.au
Administrative Officer – Professional Accredited Courses
School of Nursing and Midwifery
University of South Australia
City East Campus
North Terrace
Adelaide, South Australia, 5000
Telephone: +61 8 8302 1802
Fax: +61 8 8302 1806
E-mail:
Nursing.Enquiries@unisa.edu.au
