Capital Health Network

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For Health Professionals Aged Care ACT Aged Care Onsite Pharmacist (ACOP) Mentoring Program

To support residential aged care homes (RACHs) and their pharmacists, Wellness Partners Foundation (WPF) in partnership with Advanced Pharmacy Australia (AdPha) have been commissioned by Capital Health Network to deliver a free ACT Aged Care Onsite Pharmacist (ACOP) Mentoring Program and Community of Practice (CoP).   

The ACT ACOP Mentoring Program provides structured, practical support to ACOPs working in RACHs, building confidence, capability and skills to effectively integrate into care teams. 

The program supports both pharmacists and RACHs to maximise the value of the ACOP role through mentoring, peer learning and ongoing professional connection. 

Program details 

  • Start date: Mentoring commences May 2026, with registrations and intake open now 
  • Duration: 
    – Initial 4‑week structured mentoring phase
    – Followed by flexible, as‑needed mentoring tailored to each participant’s role and service context 
  • Cost: Fully funded – no cost to participants or services 

Who is this program for? 

This program is designed for: 

  • ACOPs new to the role and seeking structured onboarding and support 
  • ACOPs seeking employment in residential aged care homes 
  • Experienced ACOPs currently working in residential aged care and upskill their  clinical, audit, and governance skills 
  • ACOPs seeking peer connection and ongoing professional development 
  • Residential Aged Care Homes supporting effective integration of an onsite pharmacist 

Benefits for RACHs 

Participation in the ACT ACOP Mentoring Program can help services: 

  • Support effective integration of ACOPs into multidisciplinary care teams 
  • Strengthen medication governance, audit readiness and quality improvement activities 
  • Support compliance with Aged Care Quality Standards and clinical risk management 
  • Improve confidence, clarity and effectiveness of the onsite pharmacist role. 

The program supports services to maximise the value of the ACOP role, while minimising implementation challenges. 

About the mentoring program 

The mentoring program begins with a structured 4-week onboarding and capability building phase, followed by ongoing mentoring that is flexible and responsive to individual needs. The initial 4 weeks may be delivered as outlined below; however, this component also provides flexibility. More experienced ACOPs may choose to participate solely in theCoP. 

The first 4 weeks focus on:

Strengthening core aged care clinical skills, including highrisk medicines, chemical restraint reviews and National Quality Indicators.

Building confidence in conducting medication‑related audits and translating findings into practical improvement actions.

Applying learning to real service challenges, strengthening communication with nursing staff and GPs, and planning ongoing peer mentoring support. 

Following this initial phase, participants may choose to continue to gain experience by participating in the mentoring sessions on an as–needed basis to support ACOPs. 

About the Community of Practice 

In addition to one-on-one mentoring, participants gain access to AdPha’s CoP, supporting ongoing peer learning and professional engagement. 

The CoP includes: 

  • Online discussion forums and curated resources to support shared learning and problem‑solving 
  • Monthly Community of Practice sessions (45 minutes, delivered facetoface and via Microsoft Teams), featuring peerled discussion of clinical topics, case studies and shared challenges 
  • Quarterly masterclasses (60–90 minutes) led by expert presenters on advanced clinical topics relevant to ACOP practice.   

Time commitment 

The program is designed to fit alongside existing ACOP responsibilities: 

  • Initial mentoring: Approximately 1 hour per week for the first 4 weeks 
  • Ongoing mentoring: Flexible and responsive, as needed 
  • Community of Practice: 
    – Monthly sessions (45 minutes)
    – Quarterly masterclasses (60–90 minutes) 

Eligibility 

The program is open to: 

  • Credentialled ACOPs currently working in ACT RACHs 
  • Credentialled ACOPs seeking employment in ACT residential aged care 
  • Pharmacists currently undertaking ACOP credentialling. You are encouraged to register once credentialling is complete. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Participants must be working in the ACT. 

Yes. While particularly valuable for ACOPs new to the role, the program also offers value for experienced ACOPs through targeted mentoring and the CoP, which includes peer learning opportunities, case discussions and masterclasses. 

Formal approval is not required; however, RACH Managers are encouraged to support participation, as mentoring activities relate directly to onsite practice and quality improvement. 

Participation in the CoP and quarterly masterclass sessions can be self-recorded as Group 1 CPD activities. These sessions are designed to support reflective, practice-based learning and do not require formal assessment, but evidence of engagement and learning outcomes will be maintained.   

Yes. Multiple ACOPs from the same organisation are welcome. 

Mentoring is primarily delivered online, with face-to-face optional depending on your mentor's availability. CoP sessions are offered primarily online with occasional face-to-face meetings. 

Mentors in the ACT ACOP Mentoring Program are experienced pharmacists with strong backgrounds in residential aged care. They are credentialled ACOPs and/or MMR pharmacists with practical experience in medication governance, audits, quality improvement and working within multidisciplinary care teams.  

The ACT ACOP Mentoring Program will run until mid‑2027. 

  1. Register your interest via the online form 
  2. Initial contact and Mentor matching based on experience and participant needs 
  3. Program commencement of the 4-week mentoring phase 

Ready to register? 

Registrations are now open. Early registration is encouraged, particularly for ACOPs who are newly appointed or currently establishing their role. 

Register your interest here: Registration Form: ACT Aged Care On-site Pharmacists (ACOP) Mentoring Program. 

Questions or support 

For further information about the program or eligibility, please contact: ACT_ACOP@wellnesspartners.org.au