The Pharmacy Department has developed dynamic, supportive and challenging programs in paediatric pharmacy practice for pharmacy interns and students.
Pharmacy interns
The RCH Pharmacy is involved in the Victorian public hospital pharmacy intern placement and training. RCH generally has four intern positions each year. For more information about the Pharmacy Intern program and the application process, visit the
SHPA Victorian Hospital Intern Program.
The Pharmacy Intern program is reviewed and modified each year to ensure that the training provided is consistent with the Competency Standards for Pharmacists in Australia.
Pharmacy students
The pharmacy department accepts students from Monash University, La Trobe University (Bendigo) and RMIT as part of their practical experience programs.
Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University
The pharmacy department participates in the
Practical Experience Placement (PEP) Program offering both Hospital 1 and Hospital 2 student placements throughout the year. Our PEP program is frequently reviewed and the pharmacy department is represented on the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) PEP Working Party.
La Trobe University, Bendigo
The pharmacy department participates in the Metropolitan Hospital Pharmacy Placement for fourth year pharmacy students from La Trobe University, Bendigo. This program is reviewed annually and the pharmacy department provides feedback to La Trobe University.
Training of work experience students and other visitors
Visitors from pharmaceutical, medical or nursing backgrounds request to observe the department's functioning and facilities. Visitors are accepted, when possible. The department also accepts work experience students as part of the RCH Work Experience Program.
Further education
Masters of Clinical Pharmacy
Departmental pharmacists may choose to further their clinical training by applying to study Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, or Master in Clinical Pharmacy. Run by the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, the courses are conducted over up to 3 years on a part-time basis, and covers topics such as Therapeutics, Pathophysiology, Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacokinetics.
Staff training
Pharmacy department staff attend training courses and educational meetings both within and outside the hospital. Examples include:
Representatives from drug companies also provide educational sessions to pharmacy department staff.
Pharmacy Department continuing education program
Meetings on various topics of interest or a series of lectures on a particular theme are conducted on a weekly basis. The lectures are presented by invited guests or by members of the Pharmacy Department.