Core Competency Framework

What is a Competency Framework?

Competencies refer to the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours that an individual develops through education, training and work experience. When combined, these competencies form a competency framework. This framework provides a blueprint for describing the competencies and behaviours of pharmacists in their daily practice.

The Core Competency Framework for Pharmacists in Ireland

The Core Competency Framework for pharmacists aims to reflect the practice of pharmacists in the early stages of their career, ie, 0-3 years registered. It is intended that the framework would also be used to provide structure and guidance for continuing professional development (CPD) over the changing demands of a pharmacist's career.

The framework is divided into six domains of practice and identifies a number of competencies expected of a pharmacist in each domain. A number of behavioural statements are given for each competen Core Competency Framework cy to demonstrate how individuals who have that competency will be behaving in practice.

What is the Core Competency Framework used for?

It is used for a number of purposes, including:

Assisting pharmacists to self-assess their abilities against the competency standards relevant to their role to determine areas in which further development is needed.
Development of programmes by academic institutions; informing the educational standards for accreditation by the PSI of pharmacy degree programmes.
Providing a platform for the development of specialisation and advanced practice within pharmacy.
Providing a public statement of the professional role of a pharmacist.

The Irish Institute of Pharmacy and Continued Professional Development

The Irish Institute of Pharmacy (IIOP) is the body established by the PSI to oversee the management and delivery of the mandatory system of CPD for pharmacists in Ireland and to promote excellence in patient care and professional standards.

The IIOP will be the main support for pharmacists and their engagement with the Core Competency Framework as the CPD model is rolled out.

Review of the Core Competency Framework

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In August 2019, the PSI commenced a review of the Core Competency Framework. This review included:
- a series of early engagement meetings with key stakeholders to gather views and experiences of using the Core Competency Framework for the purposes outlined above,
- an examination and benchmarking exercise of international developments in competency frameworks to identify areas that could potentially be adopted in the national context and be included in a revised Core Competency Framework, and
- a targeted consultation with registered pharmacists and various other stakeholders to ascertain views and comments on the current Core Competency Framework. The targeted consultation process was informed by the findings of the early engagement meetings.
This report provides a summary of the feedback received during the review process and includes a response from the PSI. The report recommends:
- The Core Competency Framework remain unchanged at present
- The PSI explore and consult with stakeholders on:
-the possible introduction of a Core Competency Framework that allows pharmacists to demonstrate different levels of competence;
-the applicability of the Core Competency Framework to all pharmacist roles;
-the inclusion, use and purpose of the behaviours in the Core Competency Framework; and
-the findings of the benchmarking exercise.
- The PSI consider how to provide clarification on the use of the Core Competency Framework for CPD purposes, to highlight that pharmacists must only demonstrate competence in those competencies relevant to their role.
The report and its recommendations were approved by the PSI Council at its meeting on 8 October 2020. Development of the Core Competency Framework commenced in 2021.
Development of a revised Core Competency Framework
As part of the comprehensive review and development of the revised Core Competency Framework, we engaged and consulted with relevant stakeholders, our Council and our Advisory Committees. We followed a step wise approach as described below:
Step 1: Feedback on current Core Competency Framework and benchmarking
This was the first step which commenced in August 2019, and is referenced above.
Step 2: Steering Group established
We established a Steering Group comprised of relevant stakeholders. Their role was to work with the PSI, and advise and make recommendations to PSI staff, our Council and Advisory Committees, and the Working Group on the development of a revised Core Competency Framework. Regular meetings took place with the Steering Group throughout the project.
Step 3: Working Group established
We established a Working Group by way of an Expression of Interest. The Working Group comprised of fifty members, the majority of whom are pharmacists employed in different areas of practice, with a wide range of experience and expertise. Four workshops took place with the Working Group members throughout the project.
Step 4: Competency Expert
As an additional quality assurance step, we engaged an expert in competency frameworks to review and comment on the revised Core Competency Framework.
Step 5: Public Consultation
We invited feedback on a new draft Core Competency Framework during a public consultation that took place from 21 July to 18 August 2022. Following a review of the feedback received during the public consultation, we further amended the draft Core Competency Framework which was subsequently approved by the Council of the PSI at its meeting on 15 December 2022. The public consultation report is available here. We would like to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to provide feedback. We would also like to thank members of the Steering Group and Working Groups for their valued input throughout this strategic project.
What does this mean for pharmacists?
For now, you do not need to do anything differently. Implementation of the revised Core Competency Framework will commence in 2023 and we are currently working with the IIOP on its implementation for the purposes of supporting pharmacists with identifying their CPD needs. We will provide you with further information in our newsletters during 2023. We are also engaging with the Schools of Pharmacy on incorporating the Core Competency Framework into the MPharm curriculum. In the meantime, you can continue to refer to the current Core Competency Framework available on the PSI website.