APPEL (Affiliation for Pharmacy Practice Experiential Learning) is currently seeking expressions of interest from pharmacists who would like provide experiential learning placements to pharmacy students. Training a student offers excellent CPD opportunities, including learning through teaching, peer networking at APPEL events, learning from students, and developing Core Competencies including leadership skills and human resources management skills.
In 2017, 84% of APPEL trainers agreed that supervising a student contributed to their CPD and 88% found it a rewarding and enjoyable experience. APPEL’s trainers have said:
“It was hugely rewarding”
“Sharing and imparting knowledge gives a different type of work satisfaction. Useful for CPD!!”
The programme also enables placement providers to engage with talented and highly motivated students and inspire them to consider a career in their organisation or practice setting.
A New Model of Pharmacy Education
In September 2015, a new model of pharmacy education was introduced. Pharmacy students now undertake a fully integrated programme which includes placements in a breadth of practice settings throughout the five years of their education.
About APPEL
APPEL is a unique collaboration between University College Cork (UCC), the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and Trinity College Dublin (TCD). It was established to manage, centralise and streamline the experiential learning placements for the three Schools of Pharmacy in Ireland. APPEL offers placement providers a single point of contact and a source of expertise in relation to pharmacy placements.
About Experiential Learning Placements
Students now undertake practice placements throughout the five years of this new programme. This includes placements in community and hospital pharmacies during Second, Fourth and Fifth Year and placements in industry and other practice areas (health service, regulatory etc.) in the Fourth Year.
How are the New Placements Structured?
Placements are of a “university character” and attendance timetables will be provided to students and placement providers in advance of the placements. Guidance on providing experiential learning placements will be provided from APPEL to each training establishment. A pharmacist within each training establishment will guide the student during their placement. Training will be provided by APPEL in advance of the placements and this will lead to the recognition of pharmacists as APPEL Supervisors (Second Year), APPEL Preceptors (Fourth Year) and APPEL Senior Preceptors (Fifth Year). Students will be provided with learning activities to complete during their placements, which will be assessed by their School of Pharmacy. Placements providers will present students with experiential activities to complete during their placement, which should support students to develop their competence in line with the Core Competency Framework for Pharmacists.
How do I Find Out More? For more information or to register your expression of interest please visit www.appel.ie or contact the APPEL team on 01-4025129. Please note the closing date for expressions of interest in the upcoming 4th year placements (3rd Sept to 21st Dec 2018) is February 9th 2018.