Essential knowledge: The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role This includes knowledge of: Chemical and physical incompatibilities Clinical indications of medicines relevant to specific circumstances eg infectious diseases, first aid and injuries Common causes of variation and corrective action required Dispensing procedures Drug abuse - signs, consequences, treatment; community resources available, in particular those with emphasis on drug-related problems Drug use in pregnancy, specific diseases and disorders of each system of the body Equipment and instrumentation components, purpose and operation External therapy products - both medicinal and domestic eg baths, bath oils, creams, dyes, fomentations, incenses, aromatherapy products, compresses, ointments, perfumes, pomanders, potpourri, poultices, sachets, salves Groups of medicines and how to distinguish between them according to actions, active constituents, body systems and plant families Handling requirements for dangerous good How the dispensing process affects the end product Hygiene standards Identification and application of good manufacturing practice and standard operating procedures Internal preparations - culinary plants, common herbal teas, medicinal preparations eg biochemic and bioenergetic remedies, cold extracts, cordials, decoctions, essences, herbal, honeys, homeopathic remedies, infusions, methaglyns, nutritional supplements, oxymels, powders, spagyric technique, succus, syrups, tinctures Legislative requirements in dispensing herbal products Major herbal medicines with respect to their use for general symptoms, psychological and physiological indications Medical terminology Minor herbal medicines in respect to their most important indications Non-herbal ingredients used in the preparation of herbal medicines Work health and safety (WHS) hazards and controls Pharmacodynamics of herbal medicines and pharmaceutical drugs - drug administration, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion Pharmacodynamics of herbal medicines and pharmaceutical drugs and the theory of drug action; factors modifying drug effect and dosage; drug toxicity and toxicology Pharmacology of herbal medicines and pharmaceutical drugs, their classifications, usage and side effects Prescription of medicines - legal restrictions, therapeutic goods administration, health and safety, labelling requirements, scheduled herbs, principles of manufacturing remedies, testing of natural therapy products Process specifications, procedures and operating parameters Purpose and basic principles of the dispensing process Purpose and requirements of raw materials segregation Quality characteristics to be achieved Recording requirements and procedure Significance and methods of monitoring control points within the dispensing process Types and characteristics of manufacturing raw materials Waste handling requirements and procedures |