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*CLOSED* RECRUITMENT NOTICE – NAPRA Language Proficiency Standard Setting Exercises

NAPRA Recruitment Notice image

*This recruitment posting is now closed.*

The National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) recently initiated a project to review and update its recommendations related to assessing language proficiency in English and French for safe and effective pharmacist and pharmacy technician practice in Canada. 

One of the most crucial project activities is standard setting. Panelists, typically made up of qualified practitioners, educators, and regulators, participate in standard-setting activities where they collaborate to set cut-off scores (or pass scores) on accepted tests. The cut-off scores are used to determine if candidates have achieved the language proficiency standard required for licensure as a pharmacist or pharmacy technician in Canada.

NAPRA needs your support to find qualified panelists to participate in these standard-setting exercises. We are looking for experienced, practising pharmacists and pharmacy technicians from all across Canada, who are proficient in either English, French or both languages. Front-line practising pharmacy professionals, as well as educators in pharmacy or pharmacy technician programs, are invited to submit their expression of interest to participate in these important sessions. 

We anticipate that the workshops will be held sometime between January 2023 and March 2023, but the exact dates and locations will not be available until closer to the sessions. At this time, we are looking for potential participants to submit their expression of interest, so that we can create a pool of candidates from which to select the final panelists. To allow for diverse, representative standard setting panels, candidates will be selected based on language (EN/FR), demographic representation, geographic location and relevant experience/expertise. 

Prospective panel members may participate in more than one standard-setting workshop. The French standard-setting workshop will be delivered in French. Costs associated with travel to the workshop locations will be reimbursed in accordance with the NAPRA Board and Volunteer Expenses Policy. An honorarium will also be provided to participating panelists. 

If you are interested in participating in these vital sessions, we ask you to complete the Expression of Interest Survey. Please do not hesitate to share this recruitment notice with others who may also be interested in participating in this project. Selected panelists will be informed by email and receive an information package via email at least one week before the standard-setting workshop to review the workshop agenda and general introduction to the standard-setting process. During the workshop, panelists will be working alongside other panelists to review test materials and sample performance and decide on the pass scores for minimally competent candidates. Each workshop is expected to last approximately 2.5 days. 

We recognize that these last few years have been highly demanding, both professionally and personally, and we know that time away from your work and family may be challenging. Our work on this project is not achievable without support from selfless members of the profession who are willing to volunteer their precious time to initiatives such as this. NAPRA greatly appreciates all candidates who submit their expression of interest and warmly thanks candidates in advance for their willingness to commit to this endeavor. 

Interested candidates should complete the following expression of interest survey. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at LShaver@napra.ca.  

Thank you very much for your interest. 

I am interested in participating in the standard-setting workshop(s). 
Please take me to the Expression of Interest Survey.

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