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: Awareness of indemnity issues in relation to Commonwealth/State regulatory and legislative requirements Dispensing procedures accepted self-checking processes when dispensing medicines to ensure accuracy of own work charging for pharmaceuticals e.g. organisation policy and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme legal requirements and principles of pharmaceutical product labelling e.g. product name, batch numbering and expiry date prescribing conventions, and abbreviations and medical terminology used for instructions for the use of medicines principles of calculations, weights and measures using Standards International (SI) system procedures and rationale for validating orders processes for reconstitution of products properties of container types and principles of selection for use requirements to be satisfied for a complete, unambiguous and valid prescription / medication order and actions to take if validity is questionable specific requirements for dispensing controlled medicines Identification and handling of products, including formulary medicines and non-formulary medicines e.g. clinical trial medicines and Special Access Scheme medicines products with the required integrity as well as those whose integrity has been compromised e.g. damaged, contaminated or deteriorated stock routine of handling products and products requiring special handling, e.g. cytotoxics and their spill management, refrigerated and frozen items, light sensitive materials and flammables Infection control principles and their relevance to dispensing medicines including: maintaining a clean working environment and equipment personal hygiene and the use of protective clothing Knowledge of and the rationale for applicable legislation, organisation policy and in-house standard operating procedures (SOPs), relating to prescription preparation Knowledge of the legal responsibilities of providers of health care in relation to confidentiality, client rights, duty of care and implications of negligence Limitations of own work role including identification and referring of issues outside scope of practice to the authorised person Work Health and Safety (WHS) policies, guidelines and symbols and their relevance to dispensing medicines Pharmaceutical products administration, and use and effect on human physiology common proprietary and generic names drug forms, dose, strength and quantity principles and procedures for maintaining their security principles and range of storage requirements Pharmacy Board of Australia Pharmacy Guidelines for dispensing medicines Pharmacy or health facility in-house computer system Principles and practices of ethical and professional codes of conduct Standard pharmaceutical references including Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary (APF), MIMs, AMH and Micromedex Types of prescriptions / medication orders and their use Understand the difference between generic drug and trade name(s) of medicines |