First clinical pharmacy Fellows complete joint Masters program
Launched in 2013, the Alfred Health Clinical Pharmacy Fellowship Program
provides hospital pharmacists with a formal program to facilitate progression
to advanced practice in a clinical speciality.
The program involves a two-year, full-time
Grade II appointment within the Alfred Health
Clinical Pharmacy Service. It also provides
scholarship funding towards the Masters of
Clinical Pharmacy at Monash, which runs in
conjunction with the Fellowship.
The Fellowship builds on existing clinical practice,
providing a thorough grounding in acute adult
medicine in the first year and focusing on a
selected clinical specialty in the following year.
On successful completion of the program,
participants are awarded the Alfred Health
Clinical Pharmacy Fellowship and the Monash
Master of Clinical Pharmacy.
Kirstie Galbraith, Faculty Director of Postgraduate
Studies and Professional Development, says the
profession-wide initiative to credential advanced
practice pharmacists provides an excellent
opportunity to develop advanced knowledge
and skills. “The combination of a Monash master’s
degree with workplace support, mentoring and
increased opportunities has allowed the first cohort
of Fellows to demonstrate the value of undertaking
this program. A number of the fellows have already
moved into more advanced positions, and we
expect them to be future leaders in our profession.”
The first four fellows are now in the final stages
of the program. Hadley Bortz specialised in
haematology/bone marrow transplant, Cia Connell
in cardiology, and Suzie Olding and James Polmear
in general medicine.
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For James Polmear, the program provided a
valuable boost for his skills, qualifications and
career. “The Fellowship has helped me develop
management and leadership skills, along with
advanced clinical skills,” James says. “I was at
a point in my career where I was considering
doing my master’s degree. The Fellowship
provided a great solution. Since completing
the program, I’ve gained a more senior position
with Barwon Health.”
Hadley Bortz says the Fellowship was a
valuable expansion and extension of his existing
employment with The Alfred, and education with
Monash. “To show that you’ve attained a high level
of qualification and experience within a specialist
area is a valuable addition to the résumé and an
extra feather in your cap, he said”. “We’ve gained
advanced clinical training, a master’s degree, and
a Fellowship from a recognised centre of clinical
excellen