Lebanese pharmacist migrating to Australia

“Pharmacists Migration from Lebanon to Australia “

 

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
― Marcel Proust.

 

There will always be a new route to seek in every journey you take in the healthcare system, especially if you are a pharmacist and want to seek better opportunities in other countries. There aren’t many articles that discuss migration from the middle east to overseas. In this article, we would like to provide you and take you through the steps of how to migrate from Lebanon to Australia and their procedures to make it easier for you to navigate through them.

Brief on Pharmacist Work in Australia

Unfortunately, The data about the most destination that Lebanese pharmacist migrate to in Australia is not available yet. But here is a couple of reasons for you to consider Australia as an excellent destination for you to start your pharmacist career there. According to the “Pharmacist  Migration “ website, Australia has regarded as the 3rd highest salaries for pharmacists from the Top Ten Countries with The Highest Salaries by $88,843.The average earnings for pharmacists are $42.54  per hour. This information was found by 913, who submitted their salaries anonymously.

Pharmacist’s jobs have a wide variety of practices in Australia. Mostly in the community such as retail businesses and hospitals. Others work in pharmaceutical industries, academic or government institutions.

  1. Community Pharmacists have multiple roles that vary from processing prescriptions, maintenance of patient medication records to health promotion, patient medication, and counselling. They can even provide specialized services to those who are in need, for example, diabetic patients and the elderly.
  1. Hospital Pharmacists tare the ones who control and supply medication inside the hospitals. They provide drug information and clinical services. Also, they work for hand on hand with other health professionals to reach the optimum of patient care management and drug therapy.
  1. Industrial Pharmacists work revolves around manufacturing and distributing drugs and medicinal products. For instance, quality control, product development, and management.

Steps to Get You Closer to Your Dream Job

Now that we have a brief on what it’s like to be a pharmacist in Australia. Here are some steps you need to go through each for your migration to happen successfully. Each Australian state and territory have independent legislation regarding how to recognize their pharmacy qualifications.

  1. Before starting to apply for anything, you should consider the current crisis time with COVID-19. In-person services in offices for the “Pharmacy Board” can be closed temporarily, but you can contact them to update you on how the procedure continues online.
  2. You have to register at the “Pharmacy Board of Australia.” Also, you may need to apply for a visa by the “Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection.” Both procedures are entirely separate ones, and getting accepted at one of them doesn’t mean that it will guarantee the other.
  3. Skillselect for Visa means an expression of interest (EOI). If you are a skilled person and you have the intention to migrate to Australia.
  4. Skilled Nominated Visa subclass 190 is a visa you need to check your occupation first to see if it includes yours in the qualified occupation list for medical practitioners. You either get this visa, get an invitation to apply or nominated.

Here are some points you need to consider:

  • English Competency is by taking the “Occupational English Test” (OET). The total score must be 7 ( with a minimum of 6 in four components ) by taking the IELTS exam to pass the exam. If you live overseas, you can get them in your country, or if you live in Australia, you can take them to their English centers.
    • You can submit your application for EOI than wait for the invitation, collect your documents then apply for a visa in 60 days
    • Be under the age of 45
    • If you score 65, then you are considered eligible.
    • You meat the health requirements before applying you EOI
    • Have paid back your debt to the Australian government
    • Sign the Australian values statement
    • Not had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused 
  • Australian Pharmacy Examining Council  Inc (APEC)  is required for qualified pharmacists aside from New Zealand. Those who got accepted as candidates will be assigned by the Pharmacy Board of Australia to complete a supervised practice. Applicants must finish an approved pharmacy course that can act as a minimum of three years of full-time academic study. There are two streams to get the practice needed “Stream A” and “Stream B,” but first, check the steps to apply.
  • Pass the KAPS exam from the pharmacy council and check their updates on procedures and appointments due to COVID-19 can change with time as they have modified the validity period for the Skills Assessment Letters by adding 12 months for applicants who their letters issued between 2017-2020. As for the intern’s written exams, they rescheduled it till October to be aligned with the Board exam and transformed it into an online platform.

a.“What is Stream A?” candidates is for those who completed their pharmacy degree to complete a full internship.

You can check “internship” for more information on the steps. It is preferable to apply before five weeks sooner.

  • Keep in mind the COVID-19 modification they did on the supervised practices, written examination, and oral examination. You can check it on the website “COVID-19 updates pharmacy board”. 
  1. While “Stream B” candidates can complete a shorter period of supervised practice and needs limited registration.
  • Make sure that your supervisor approves of your application before you begin your practice. The supervisor requirements should align with the “Supervised Practice Arrangements Standard.”
  • After you finish 75% of your supervised hours, you will be taking a “ Registration Assessment “ that includes both oral examination (pharmacy law and ethics) and an oral examination (practice). The last step for you after completion is to apply for general registration.
  1. Congratulations, if you reached the last step in your registration completion, this means now you have the same rights as an Australian pharmacist to practice your field in Australia.

Remember, each great transformation needs great courage with it. Starting and adapting to a new environment and culture to find who you are and what you want to be and accomplish can be daunting. But it’s those steps that get you to where you want to be as a successful pharmacist in any major you want. Do not hesitate to ask the official sources questions regarding your migration journey because of the current pandemic situation you need to be updated every day with the regulations. Lastly, don’t let this hinder you because your trip will be can be indeed a memorable and astonishing one!