kiranD

On 04/11/2020 at 13:21, ruthmacdonald said:

Thanks Kiran 

i have been away from working in the pharmacy for a number of years - was in head office 

what would you advise to be the best and most efficient study materials to get through the CAOP? 
thanks. Ruth 

Hi Ruth,

I used the Australian Medicines Handbook and read it over 3 weeks whilst working. If you've been out of practice for a while I would give yourself more time to go over the content at least twice. This is the most useful. You could get a second hand copy that is not too old. 

There are calculation books available however I just practiced using pre-reg questions from the UK (you should be able to google and find something).

I did have a copy of the APF, took it into the exam and used it once. I didn't really read this before going in and maybe thats why I didn't use it much. It is a good book that you may want to consider buying if you feel rusty and plan on practicing pharmacy again. I wish they had something similar in the UK.

The books are a little pricey especially if you're not intending on using them again. I actually went to different chemist in my area to see if they had a spare copy and luckily stumbled across a really nice pharmacist who lent me their old hard copy. 

12 hours ago, ruthmacdonald said:

Do you mean APC for eligibility to sit the CAOP exam or have you done that already as same info required 

they request a template is used but university and work references didn’t use it. Hope that helps 

Hi Ruth,

APC is to sit the exam. After successfully completing the exam, you need to register with AHPRA (the Australian version of GPHC) and undertake supervision. I believe there is another exam after that but not as hard as the CAOP.

42 minutes ago, Rachelbee said:

Aaaah man hoping I don’t get mine sent back because I haven’t done that!!

My partners AHPRA registration (also from the UK) didn't require this so all should be ok

1 hour ago, Rachelbee said:

Did you study in the U.K.? I’ve just sent my application in too and didn’t bother with that bit because my degree was from Scotland...now desperately hoping that’s ok! (I did send my degree certificate and transcript)

Yes, born and raised in the UK, never lived abroad, university degree form the UK. The wording on the form suggests that proof of degree being taught in English is required (despite the university being based in England!) I did receive a letter of verification from the university confirming that the degree is taught and assessed in English however when I called the operator she stated that a posted letter directly from the university is required (the online document states that the university should send this as per template but this does not exist either).

I think it will be ok but thought I would get the ball rolling to prevent delay if its an issue later - it's not as if the post is super fast!

Hi everyone,

Just submitted my application for AHPRA, possibly one of the hardest application forms ever. I wanted to confirm, did anyone request a letter from their University to be posted to AHPRA to confirm the degree was taught in English? Was this an issue when the assessing officer got back to you?

I have submitted my degree certificate, transcript (which unfortunately doesn't state taught in English) and a verification letter issues by the University to confirm my Pharmacy degree was taught in English. I have just called and they have said that the University must post a letter to AHPRA (despite the offices being closed) to confirm it was taught in English.

Kind regards,

Kiran 

On 13/10/2020 at 00:32, olive018 said:

Hi everyone, 

Does anyone have any old CAOP papers they could kindly send my way please (lydiarhiannon@hotmail.co.uk) ? I'm hoping to sit the December exam in London!

Also don't know if anyone has any experience regarding visas - can I apply for a skilled visa once I have the skills assessment back from APC or do I need to wait until I have passed the exam?

Many thanks in advance  Lydia

Hi Lydia,

They actually changed the format of the CAOP exam this summer, it is now 70 questions in 2 hours. I think there is a sample paper available on the APC website that may be of some use. My advice would be to become familiar with all topics in the Australian Medicines Handbook (very similar to BNF!)

I have no idea about visas- sorry. I would maybe chat to a migration agent as there are a few steps to the process (applying for AHPRA registration is a job in itself and can take weeks).

An important consideration: borders may not open for a while, maybe even 2022. How firm are your plans to migrate to Australia?

21 minutes ago, ruthmacdonald said:

Hi Kiran. What companies do you know of that hire pharmacists in non traditional pharmacist roles?  My job was made redundant. Was hoping to sit the July exam but will need to wait until working 

Hi Ruth,

There are roles with drug companies, however I contacted companies directly involved in public health, a field I prefer to selling. It depends on what your interests are and what other skills you have. I am due to complete a masters in Public Health and therefore working towards health systems management/data. 

15 minutes ago, Rachelbee said:

I’m sitting the July exam, booked for Sydney. I’m in NSW. I think I’ll probably do the same, aim for a started/newly qualified post then just earn my dues. Might be nice to have a bit of the pressure/expectations taken off for a while!

I agree,

I am in no rush to be in a senior post again!

As a side note, there are loads of companies that are willing to hire pharmacists in a non traditional pharmacist post... might be worth exploring

On 23/06/2020 at 15:26, Rachelbee said:

I’ve been in Aus since January, booked the CAOP exam today and this is the first I’ve found actual advice! Thank you lovely people!

I’ve been a hospital pharmacist for 5 years before moving here but it seems that the easiest way to get the “supervised registration” out of the way is by getting a nice community pharmacist to let you come play! Once fully registered, any ideas what the job structure/equivalent post to a band 7 is? Or would is be easier to go in as a grade 1 and work your way up?

Hi Rachel,

The APC have accepted my paperwork today so I can book the exam. What state are you in? Are you sitting the July exam or have you already sat the exam?

I was a band 8 in the UK and plan on working my way up initially until I am more familiar with the system.

16 hours ago, Phoebe147 said:

Thank you!

Hi Phoebe,

I just completed my partner visa in March this year. I basically uploaded everything I could think of. I once rang immigration and someone told me tickets of flights is not good evidence so to back that up I sent a photo of us in each of the destinations mentioned. 

In my case, we're not married so it is most important to submit crucial evidence like shared bills, tenancy agreements etc. I even submitted evidence of us having an engagement party!

The more the better as you wouldn't want it delayed/ rejected on lack of evidence (I've been down that road too when I applied for my dads visitors visa- he only came for 5 days but they rejected my first application... lesson learnt!)

kind regards,

Kiran

51 minutes ago, Vidya menon said:

So , it was really clinical, hardly any community stuff. So I think you should be okay. To be honest, I did a lot of reading and knew my AMH quite well. I used to do like 2 hours every night for about a month or two I think. 

Cool,

maybe I'll chase APC and see if they can do it quicker (unlikely I know!). 

Good luck getting your visa- btw there are plenty of pharmacist jobs here in Queensland!

Kiran

14 hours ago, Vidya menon said:

Hey , I did my exam last December and awaiting visa at the moment. It took exactly 6 weeks to get all the documents approved. 

thanks Vidya,

how did you find it? I've worked in hospitals for the last 10 years so I'm a bit rusty on community stuff! 

Kind regards,

Kiran 

Hi everyone,

just looking for some general advice....

I moved to Australia with my partner in Jan. I was due to go back and forth for the year however as flying is no longer really an option, I figured I would sit the pharmacy exam here. How long does the APC skill assessment really take, is it 8 weeks, longer/shorter in your experience? I may have submitted it a week too late for the July exam but still remaining hopeful! I did not need the CV/experience thing they offer for visas as I already have the rights to work.\

Thanks in advance,

Kiran