Pharmacists are integral primary health care professionals who work closely with patients in community and hospital pharmacies. Course overview As a true interdisciplinary field, pharmacy gives you a strong foothold in both the science and healthcare industry. As a professional pharmacist you will have understanding and involvement in: discovery of breakthrough medicines the effect of individual drugs upon the human body formulation of drug compounds into effective medicines how drugs act to treat specific diseases counselling patients on their medications. You will gain expertise in health sciences including biochemistry, microbiology, human anatomy and physiology, infectious diseases, immunology, dermatology and toxicology. In addition you’ll gain knowledge of health promotion, rural and remote practice, and business and management essentials. Clinical placements commence from Year 1. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense. (Note: health professional courses generally involve extensive professional or clinical placements). Successful applicants require Hepatitis B immunisation, current Queensland First Aid and CPR certificates plus a Suitability to Work with Children (Blue Card) and an Australian Federal Police check before undertaking placement. It is recommended that these requirements be completed by the end of your first semester/teaching period. Course highlights JCU has a national reputation for the quality of its Pharmacy program and graduates. Quality teaching – Pharmacy graduates from JCU rate the quality of teaching (89%) and course quality (95%) highest in the country, topping the Pharmacy sector (2013 National Course Experience Questionnaire). Hands-on experience – you will get up to 600 hours of placement experience working with rural, urban and underserved populations to gain clinical skills of the highest standard. Individual focus – you will enjoy smaller class sizes where your lecturers are approachable and friendly and where it’s easy to form friendships and study groups with fellow students. Research driven – as a student in the College of Medicine and Dentistry, you will enjoy superb teaching facilities and the College’s strong research focus can open doors to further study and exciting Pharmacy research projects. Award-winning – JCU Pharmacy students have won four out of the last 10 Queensland Pharmacy Student of the Year Awards. Career opportunities JCU Pharmacy graduates enjoy good employment rates, and demand is strong in rural and regional Australia. After your internship you will have an excellent chance to make your mark on the pharmacy profession in: Hospital and community pharmacies Managing your own pharmacy practice Government health services and regulatory bodies (e.g. Therapeutic Goods Administration) Defense forces Pharmaceutical industries Clinical research or university teaching careers, after further study. The course has accreditation with the Australian Pharmacy Council. After graduation you will be eligible to enter an accredited one-year internship program and progress to registration as a pharmacist.