What will the PharmD experiential program entail?
- Three co-op terms (students paid by employers), where each co-op term is 16 to 18 weeks in duration, interspersed through years 2 and 3.
- Three patient care rotation courses (students not paid), where each rotation/course is eight weeks in duration, during year 4 winter and spring terms.
- A set of community service learning activities to be completed any time during the PharmD program, outside class time.
What are the differences between a co-op work term and a patient care rotation?
| CO-OP WORK TERMS | PATIENT CARE ROTATIONS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th YEAR ENTRY LEVEL PHARMD PROGRAM (ELPD) | PHARMD BRIDGING PROGRAM | ||
| DURATION | (16 to 18 weeks) x 3 | (8 weeks) x 3 |
Full-time = 8 weeks Part-time = 16 weeks |
| SCHEDULE | Take place during years 2 & 3 of entry-level PharmD program (ELPD) | Take place during 4th year of entry-level PharmD program (ELPD) between February and August | Final element of the PharmD Bridging Program for Waterloo Pharmacy Alumni only, takes place year-round |
| Process | Students apply, employers interview and rank, followed by a matching process. | Students are randomly assigned to their placement. | Students are assigned to their placements |
| Funding | Sites pay students as co-op employees; students pay co-op fee. | Non-paid placements; these are courses with applicable tuition fees. | Non-paid placements; these are courses with applicable tuition fees. |
| Students’ duties | Duties assigned per employer’s job description, for which students receive a salary during their work term. | Students interview and assess patients, identify drug-related needs, review alternatives, develop and implement care plans that address actual or potential health concerns, and collaborate with interprofessional colleagues to improve patient health outcomes. | Students interview and assess patients, identify drug-related needs, review alternatives, develop and implement care plans that address actual or potential health concerns, and collaborate with interprofessional colleagues to improve patient health outcomes. |
| Geography | Based on student applications. | Students are assigned to a region. Regions are across the province of Ontario, with Kitchener-Waterloo and the GTA representing only a minimal proportion. Students complete all 3 of their rotations within one region. | Students are generally assigned to a practice site within a reasonable distance from their home and )or) current place of practice. |
| Option for student to self-arrange | Yes, co-op work terms can be self-arranged by students, and School of Pharmacy will consider for approval. | No, patient care rotations cannot be self-arranged. | No, patient care rotations cannot be self-arranged. |
What if I have geographical preferences, and feel I need to work in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) or Waterloo Region?
- We expect to have very few (if any) PharmD patient care rotation sites in the GTA.
- We expect to have limited PharmD patient care rotation sites in Kitchener-Waterloo.
- Although students are assigned their patient care rotation placements, they may be able to submit a possible geographical preference for consideration under exceptional circumstances. There will, however, be no guarantees.
What are the expectations from the student for PharmD patient care rotations?
- The patient care rotations constitute academic courses and will have course outlines that include a course description and student assessment section, among other academic expectations.
Can a student fail a PharmD patient care rotation?
Yes, this can happen. The Patient Care Rotations constitute academic courses a student can fail based on receiving lower than the required passing grade percentage for the course (competence). Students may also fail when there are ongoing, unresolved professionalism concerns that are adversely impacting the preceptor, site, patient care, safety, privacy, confidentiality etc.
Do students have to pay tuition during their PharmD patient care rotations?
- Yes, this is required. Since the patient care rotations are courses, tuition fees will be assessed for the academic terms in which they fall. This includes incidental fees.*
* The School of Pharmacy has consulted with the University of Waterloo Student Accounts/Finance Office regarding student incidental fees while off campus during patient care rotations. The University has implemented a consistent policy for all undergraduate students, which is that incidental fees will continue to be applied.
Are students able to practice independently?
Phamacy students can engage in more independent practice whereby the level of supervision is to be determined by the supervisor.
OCP’s Legal Authority for Scopes of Practice chart outlines specifics with respect to supervision by Part A pharmacists. The chart and other information about Pharmacists’ Expanded Scope are available on the OCP website.
OCP has also prepared a fact-sheet about the Supervision of Pharmacy Students & Interns which outlines principles to assist preceptors in determining the level of supervision required in fulfilling patient care and legislative requirements.
Are the rotation start and end dates flexible?
- The Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) is responsible for the accreditation of professional degree programs in pharmacy at the universities in Canada.
- CCAPP requires that practice experiences near the end of the program must involve at least 24 weeks (960 hours) of full-time student placement in practice sites. These dates must also align with university term deadlines. Therefore, there is very little flexibility available in rotation dates.
- Please refer to the patient care rotations course outline (available on LEARN) for details with respect to absences.
Do I have to complete a PDPHRM course while on patient care rotations?
- No, PDPHRM courses are required only for co-op placements.
Am I responsible for my own transportation while on patient care rotations?
- Yes, students are responsible for their own transportation (vehicle or public transit) for all patient care rotations. Regional Clinical Coordinators and Preceptors will not accommodate requests for change due to transportation concerns. Exceptional circumstances should be directed to the Experiential Coordinator before the region or practice site match.
Will the School of Pharmacy help me find housing?
- Please contact your Regional Clinical Coordinator for suggestions.
I have been asked to do something on my clinical rotation that I am uncomfortable with (i.e., something that contravenes regulations and/or standards of practice). What do I do/who do I contact?
- Please contact the Experiential Coordinator and/or your Regional Clinical Coordinator.
How many patients will I be expected to work up?
- There is no minimum or maximum number of patients that are expected to be reviewed/worked up during the patient care rotation.
- This is an active learning environment where you are responsible for your learning. All patient exposures contribute to building this skill set.
- Your preceptor will also play a pivotal role in your learning with respect to identifying learning gaps.
What will be the hours of work? Will I be expected to work on the weekends?
- Students will fulfill the patient care rotation objectives at their assigned practice site, working a minimum of 40 hours per week for each eight-week placement (statutory holidays excepted).
- The distribution of this time may include work on weekends or evenings.
What is the elective course? How do I select my elective?
- PHARM 450 is one of three mandatory fourth-year eight-week patient care rotation courses where students provide direct patient care.
- In PHARM 450, students will be assigned to an elective setting that may occur in a second primary care, second institutional setting or any other approved pharmacy practice site. Examples include specialty clinics, homecare, and specialty compounding pharmacies.
Can I get a part-time job while doing my rotation?
- Students on patient care rotations are expected to work a minimum of 40 hours per week, which may include evenings and/or weekends.
- Students should view these rotations as a course, not a co-op placement or job.
- Workload and tasks may differ depending on practice sites and students are expected to come prepared to practice while on site.
- Holding a part-time job is not recommended.
What happens if there is a snow storm and I cannot get to my practice site?
- Caution should be exercised when travelling. Appropriate assessments should be made regarding the risk of travel and discussions should occur with your preceptor regarding policies and procedures related to this matter.
- Please read the University of Waterloo policy on inclement weather.
Is there a distribution component to my rotations?
- The primary focus of these rotations is the provision of direct patient care.
What are the training requirements for preceptors?
Preceptors are asked to complete one of the following Preceptor Development Training modules
- University of Western Ontario – PEP Program
- Dalhousie Faculty of Health Professions Preceptor Training – General Training
- UBC E-tips for Practice Education (Modules 1-8)
- University of Toronto Preceptor Development Program (PDP)*
*Note—While the UofT PDP program satisfies the training requirement for UW School of Pharmacy Clinical Preceptors, preceptors should follow-up with UofT directly in determining their ongoing eligibility for this training program.
Preceptors must also attend a University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy specific orientation workshop which is hosted locally by your Regional Clinical Coordinator. Topics include an overview of the curriculum, the Community of Practice Model, learning objectives, and assessment tools. This training is mandatory for new preceptors, a refresher session for previous preceptors will be required every 5 years (unless major changes to the program occur sooner).
As the preceptor, may I take vacation when I’m supervising a student?
Preceptors should try to avoid taking students during a rotation that coincides with extended planned vacations.
In cases where the preceptor is unexpectedly away for a few days, please make arrangements for a secondary pharmacist to provide coverage - preferably a preceptor who has been approved by the School of Pharmacy and (or) has completed preceptor training.
What are the learning objectives for students in their Patient Care Rotations?
Course objectives:
- Apply core knowledge, skills and professional judgment to provide pharmaceutical care.
- Communicate with diverse audiences, using a variety of strategies.
- Collaborate with a full range of healthcare teams to provide effective, quality healthcare while fulfilling professional obligations.
- Manage the medication therapy of patients with common and complex medication therapy problems.
- Advocate on behalf of the patient and the profession to advance healthcare models.
- Honour their role as a self-regulated professional through individual patient care and fulfillment of professional obligations.
Student personal learning objectives:
- Using the template develop 3-5 personal learning objectives per rotation. At the end of each rotation, students will be asked to think about the personal learning objectives and overall progress.
What is my role as the preceptor for Patient Care Rotations?
Preceptors play a pivotal role in providing students with valuable practice experience. During the patient care rotations we ask preceptors to:
- Create and foster a positive learning environment.
- As assigned by the RCC, recruit 2 allied health professionals (i.e. other health care practitioners) at their site, who will work with the student and provide feedback to you regarding interprofessional collaboration skills (outlined on the rubric).
- Involve the student in decision-making aspects of patient care.
- Provide support to students to ensure learning objectives are achieved.
- Collaborate with the Regional Clinical Coordinator as required.
- Complete student assessments and assignments as per the specified timelines of the School of Pharmacy.
What is the role of the Interprofessional Evaluator?
The interprofessional assessment requires at 1-2 members of another regulated health profession who are asked to provide feedback to the preceptor, to allow assessment of the student at the end of their rotation, with respect to the 6 domains from the CIHC Interprofessional Competency Framework (e.g. Interprofessional Communication, collaborative leadership, role clarification, etc.).
How often are preceptors required to complete student assessments for Patient Care Rotations?
Students are assessed at week 2 (feedback only), week 4 (midpoint) and week 8 (final).
What are the benefits for preceptors who supervise UWaterloo pharmacy students on Patient Care Rotations?
- Preceptors are provided with 1-year access to the University’s e-library services.
- Preceptors are appointed to the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy as “Clinical Preceptor”.
- Preceptors may include this as part of their learning and professional development OCP learning portfolio.
- For more information on preceptor benefits such as CPD offerings please contact pharmacy.rotations@uwaterloo.ca