Supervision of Pharmacy Students & Interns

FACT SHEET

Published: July 2014

Legislative References

Definitions

Direct supervision: Supervision that is provided by a person who is physically present on the premises where the practice that is being supervised is being carried out.

Hospital pharmacy: A location deemed to be a pharmacy for the purposes of the DPRA by section 119.

Intern: A registrant who holds a certificate of registration as an intern.

Registered Pharmacy Student: A registrant who holds a certificate of registration as a registered pharmacy student. For the purposes of this fact sheet, where the term “student” is used, it means a registered pharmacy student.

Legislated Requirements

O. Reg. 202/94 under the Pharmacy Act sets out the terms, conditions and limitations on a registrant’s certificate of registration.

  • Only a Part A pharmacist (which includes a pharmacist (emergency assignment)) can supervise the practice of a student/intern, due to the terms, conditions and limitations on the certificate of registration of a Part B pharmacist.
  • A registered pharmacy student shall only engage in the practice of pharmacy:
    • while under the direct supervision of a pharmacist, or
    • while under the direct supervision of another regulated health professional, when approved by a faculty’s program, education or training which includes a clinical component in a premise that is not a pharmacy, but at which drugs may be prescribed or dispensed
  • An intern shall only engage in the practice of pharmacy:
    • when practising in a community pharmacy, while under the direct supervision of a pharmacist, or
    • when practising in a hospital pharmacy or non-accredited setting, while under the supervision a pharmacist.

The Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act permits a student/intern to perform the authorized acts of compounding, dispensing and selling of drugs in a pharmacy. In an accredited community pharmacy setting, a student/intern must be under the direct supervision of a pharmacist who is physically present to engage in this area of pharmacy practice, as per s 149:

149. (1) “no person shall compound, dispense or sell any drug in a pharmacy other than,
(a) a pharmacist;
(b) an intern under the supervision of a pharmacist who is physically present; or
(c) a registered pharmacy student acting under the supervision of a pharmacist who is physically present; or
(d) a pharmacy technician acting under the supervision of a pharmacist who is physically present”

The above section of the DPRA does not apply to an accredited hospital pharmacy.

Background

Registrants should strive to contribute to the development of the profession by participating in the education and mentoring of pharmacy students and interns. Supervision is an important element in professional training and integral to the experiential learning process. The purpose of this process is to develop the competency of the student/intern in providing safe and ethical patient-centred care, and to prepare them for fully independent practice. Competency is demonstrated by the application of their knowledge and the development of clinical practice skills, as well as the use of professional judgment and the development of critical decision-making skills.

Effective supervision requires the active engagement of all participants to ensure a quality learning environment while maintaining best possible patient care. It is important to discuss the extent of communication and collaboration expected between the supervisor(s) and student/intern when engaging in various activities. Pharmacy professionals are responsible for, and accountable to, their decisions and actions, therefore establishing a mutual understanding of expectations is encouraged.

Responsibilities of Supervisor(s)
  • Ensure legislated requirements for supervision (direct or otherwise) are met according to the activities being performed by the student/intern.
  • Determine the degree of oversight required for the student/intern based on an assessment of their level of education and experience in the context of the duties assigned (e.g., the complexity of the patient’s condition, the level of risk in clinical decision-making, etc.)
Responsibilities of Student/Intern
  • Maintain valid registration status with the College to have the legal scope of practice to perform authorized acts independently; pre-registration with the College as an applicant does not confer any legal scope of practice.
  • Practice in accordance with the terms, conditions and limitations on their certificate of registration.
  • Only engage in independent practice when competent to do so safely and effectively, within the limits of their knowledge, skills and judgment.
Additional References:

Published: July 2014

Version #: 2.00

College Contact: Pharmacy Practice / Registration Programs

Revision History

 

Version # Date Action
1 July 2014 Published
2 December 2020 Content updated to account for hospital and emergency assignment regulations; references and definitions

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