An intern pharmacist position is a paid position. Under the Employment Contracts Act, there is no recommended salary for interns. Interns in 2021 were paid between $20.00 and $25.00 per hour.
Training days are to be treated as normal working days for the intern, and hence they must be paid their normal salary while attending.
The intern training agreement is signed by PSNZ, the intern, the preceptor and the employer, recognising that the employer has a role to play in the intern's year.
The employer is obliged to make available the current recommended reference material and resources required to meet the Quality in Pharmacy Standards for the intern to use.
The employer will endeavour to provide the intern with opportunities and experiences to become competent in all the Competence Standards set by the Pharmacy Council.
Employers must notify EVOLVE of any cumulative leave the intern has taken in excess of 10 days, whether it's sick leave, annual leave or any other leave.
All intern training sites must be approved by PSNZ, in addition to the preceptor being approved. In cases of changes in pharmacy ownership, new pharmacies or outstanding medicines control audits, the Pharmacy Council will confirm approval on a case by case basis.
Traditionally the EVOLVE Intern Programme has received some government funding to assist preceptors in training New Zealand graduate interns. These are dispersed as monthly payments to the employers to recompense some of the time spent with the intern.
There are several conditions around the payments, such as:
- The preceptor must have completed and passed preceptor training;
- The preceptor must spend two hours per week with the intern in one-on-one training;
- The intern is a graduate of a New Zealand university (Otago or Auckland, hence overseas graduates are not entitled to this funding);
- The intern is enrolled in the full time programme and is a New Zealand resident. The intern must also be in their first year of the EVOLVE Intern Programme.
NZ, Australian graduates and Overseas non-REQR interns pay a Programme fee which covers all costs of the training programme, including attendance at and travel to and from training days and Assessment Centre. Payment of the fee is the intern's responsibility. However many employers negotiate a salary package with the intern that includes payment of the Programme fee on their behalf, as this is tax deductible.
