Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Honours)

Verbal expression and comprehension (understanding)

What do I need to be able to do?

Understand and respond to verbal communication.
This will assist you when participating in tutorial discussions and practicing your professional communication during practical classes.

Verbally communicate clear instructions and explanations in a time responsive way.

On professional experience placement, verbal communication is the primary source of communication between you, professional co-workers, supervisors and patients.

Clear communication assists with completing your professional experience placement tasks safely.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Additional time allowances for comprehension and expression may be available to you for on-campus learning activities.

Professional experience placement activities may require time responsive communication. This should be discussed with your placement coordinator prior to commencement.

Social communication

Social Communication refers to the capacity to understand and use appropriate non-verbal communication such as: eye contact, gestures, facial expression, speaking volume, tone of voice, proximity and verbal turn-taking. 

What do I need to be able to do?

Recognise, interpret, use and respond to non-verbal communication appropriately during on-campus and professional experience placement settings to build relationships, assess patients and provide treatment.

In professional experience placement settings, tasks which require your use of social communication abilities include:

• identifying  and using gestures, verbal turn-taking and proximity when sharing workload and when working in teams
• responding to patients with open body language, eye contact and facial expressions to demonstrate understanding and empathy.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.  

Consideration will be given to the use of non-verbal communication appropriate to your disability or condition for example, if you have a vision or hearing impairment, you may rely more on using either auditory or visual means of social communication.

Reading

What do I need to be able to do?

Read and understand a range of written material in differing forms from a variety of sources such as: on screen material, reference material and /or handwritten notes.

In the professional experience placement setting, essential information is communicated in written form.  Tasks which require the use of reading include: 

• understanding and correctly interpreting scientific literature
• comprehending standard operating procedures, ethics applications, case record files and other essential written material 

The ability to read, understand and interpret written information is fundamental to working in a professional experience placement environment in a safe way.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during professional experience placements may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Writing (Written Language)

N.B. This refers not to the physical act of writing but rather to the written content.

What do I need to be able to do?

Produce coherent written communication appropriate to on-campus and professional experience placement settings. 

In the professional experience placement setting, tasks which require clear, concise and accurate writing include: 

• Record keeping, meeting notes, correspondence and other essential writing tasks
• Writing reports 

The accuracy of written communication is in accordance with professional and legal standards and is fundamental to your professional experience placement.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during your professional experience placement may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Number Skills (Numeracy)

Numeracy is the ability to understand and work with numbers. Basic numeracy skills consist of comprehending fundamental mathematics like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

What do I need to be able to do?

Interpret and correctly apply numerical data, measurements and formulae in a time-efficient manner when completing on-campus activities professional experience placement tasks 

In the laboratory environment, tasks which require the use of number skills include:

• performing accurate calculations  and measurement of chemicals, drugs and other materials
• deriving and applying formula

NB: The ramifications of miscalculations are significant 

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during professional experience placements may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

What do I need to be able to do?

Correctly use and apply knowledge of theory and research gained in on-campus learning activities during professional experience placement.

During professional experience placement, tasks which require these cognitive skills include:

• planning and organising multiple tasks so they can be completed safely and in a timely way
• problem solving unexpected occurrences such as atypical results or equipment malfunction
• focusing, concentrating and engaging with supervisors and others during your designated period of duty

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use assistive technology and strategies such as rest breaks to support your memory, planning and organisation for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during professional experience placements may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Vision

Visual acuity refers to the extent to which a person can see or interpret visual information. This may also include colour vision.

What do I need to be able to do?

In the laboratory environment, tasks which require vision include: 

• Observing changes during sample testing using a microscope
• Identifying correct equipment and ensuring accurate functioning of equipment
• Accurately identifying non electronic written information such as handwritten laboratory and patient notes, chemical and sample labels

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

The use of assistive technology to enhance vision will be considered. It is recommended that you discuss this with the ELS and placement coordinator prior to commencing professional experience placement. 

Glasses and other visual aids can be used during teaching laboratory and while on professional experience placement.

If you have been deemed legally blind or have a medical condition that may impact your vision, it is recommended that you discuss your condition with Equitable Learning Service. 

Any adjustments considered should not compromise your safety or the safety of others.

During professional experience placement and in the teaching laboratory activities will involve:  lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing, twisting, bending. 

What do I need to be able to do?

In the professional experience placement setting, tasks which require gross motor skills include:

• manual handling i.e. safely moving, positioning and setting up equipment
• positioning and setting up a patient and equipment for assessment  and/or treatment 

Safe manual handling minimises the risk of injury to yourself and others.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your individual circumstances and physical capacities. Any adjustments considered should not compromise safety.

i.e. The ability to undertake precise coordinated movements of the hands.

What do I need to be able to do?

During on-campus laboratory activities tasks will involve: pushing, pressing, turning, pinching, grasping and shaking 

In the laboratory environment, tasks which require fine motor abilities include:

• using small measuring equipment such as pipettes
• manipulating small dials on equipment such as microscopes
• conducting experimental techniques such as preparing cultures and applying small volume samples on to gels 

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your individual circumstances and physical capacities. Consideration may be given to your professional experience placement type and location – some professional experience placement settings may better be able to accommodate students with specific identified needs.

 Any adjustments considered should not compromise your safety or the safety of others.

This refers to the ability to undertake a task/s over a pre-determined period of time. This could include physical performance such as standing for a period of time, or cognitive (mental) performance such as concentrating for a particular length of time.

What do I need to be able to do?

In the professional experience placement setting, tasks which require physical and mental endurance include:

• maintaining consistent physical performance throughout a designated period of duty
• maintaining a high level of concentration while undertaking  precise laboratory procedures throughout a shift
• remaining mentally focussed in order to effectively perform concentrated tasks such as data entry or report writing within a pre-determined period of time

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your circumstances and physical capacities. You may use strategies such as rest breaks to support your performance for on-campus learning contexts. It is recommended that you discuss the use of these strategies during placement with ELS and Placement Coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Any adjustments should not compromise safety.