Public Consultation on Continuing Professional Development (CPD) themes for pharmaceutical assistants
The Regulated Professions Health and Social Care Amendment Act 2020 introduces a new requirement for the PSI to ensure that pharmaceutical assistants undertake appropriate Continuing Professional Development (CPD). In response, the PSI is committed to the development of a CPD model for pharmaceutical assistants as part of our Corporate Strategy 2021-2024.
To assist us in identifying an appropriate model of CPD, we sought external expertise. The consultants, Mazars were appointed and their report, Report to Support the Development of a Continuing Professional Development CPD Model for Pharmaceutical Assistants makes recommendations for a proposed CPD model. The report and the recommended CPD model were approved by the PSI Council at its meeting of 22 June 2023. The recommended CPD model is a bespoke CPD model that draws on elements from the CPD model for pharmacists and that utilises the infrastructure (ePortfolio) already in place.
What is this public consultation about?
One recommendation included in the report is that we develop guidelines and standards or ‘themes’ that will provide direction and guidance for pharmaceutical assistants to conduct and manage their CPD learning activities within the new CPD model.
At this stage of the development and implementation of the CPD model, we are seeking feedback on seven proposed themes that will assist and guide pharmaceutical assistants when self-reflecting on their practice as part of their CPD requirements. These themes have been developed in consultation with the Pharmaceutical Assistants Association (PAA) and are intended to be reflective of pharmaceutical assistants’ practice.
The public consultation will be open from Thursday, 20 June 2024 to 6pm on Thursday, 18 July 2024. This is your opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed CPD themes.
How to provide feedback?
Please review the Public Consultation on the Draft Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Themes for Pharmaceutical Assistants.
We welcome your feedback on the CPD themes during the consultation period from Thursday, 20 June 2024 to 6pm on Thursday, 18 July 2024. You can provide feedback by one of the following way:
1. Online questionnaire
The fastest way to provide your feedback is through the online questionnaire.
2. Email
You can also provide your feedback by email to andrea.boland@psi.ie
3. Post
Alternatively, you can provide your feedback by post at:
Andrea Boland, Professional Standards Coordinator, the PSI House, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, D02 TD72
The deadline for making a submission is 6pm on Thursday, 18 July 2024.
What will we do with your feedback?
At the end of the public consultation, we will review and consider your feedback. Where appropriate, changes may be made to the themes in response to the feedback received. We will draft a consultation report which will be considered by the PSI Council and published on our website.
Further Information
If you are a pharmaceutical assistant and would like further information on the CPD model and how the themes will be used, please contact Andrea Boland at andrea.boland@psi.ie or 01 2184009. If you have any questions in relation to this public consultation, you can contact Andrea Boland, Professional Standards Coordinator by email at andrea.boland@psi.ie or 01 2184009.
