Assessor Resource

SIRCDIS003
Assist in dispensing prescriptions

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to assist pharmacists with the preparation of prescription medicines. It requires the ability to check patient and prescription details; operate a computerised dispensing system; and select, label and despatch medicines from the dispensary after a pharmacist has checked all details.

This unit applies to dispensary assistants working in community pharmacies. When dispensing prescribed medications they work under the direct supervision of a pharmacist and their role is limited to those dispensing functions that do not require them to exercise professional pharmaceutical judgement or discretion.

This unit incorporates the requirement for pharmacy assistants to comply with federal, state and territory law and Pharmacy Board of Australia Guidelines for supplying scheduled Pharmacy Medicines (S2) and Pharmacist Only Medicines (S3). At the time of publication, they are not, however, required to hold an occupational licence or to be certified as competent in this unit to dispense scheduled medicines.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Check prescription details.

1.1.Follow organisational procedures for dispensing prescription medicines throughout dispensing process.

1.2.Accept and action in a logical and time-efficient sequence to serve customers effectively.

1.3.Check prescriptions for legality, validity and completeness.

1.4.Refer incomplete or invalid prescriptions to pharmacist for action with clear information about any discrepancies.

1.5.Identify situations requiring pharmacist clarification and ask questions to obtain instruction.

2. Record prescription information.

2.1.Enter patient, prescription and entitlement details from original prescription into dispensary computer system.

2.2.Check electronic data entry for match to patient and prescription details.

2.3.Recognise dispensary system alerts of medication and patient issues and refer to pharmacist for resolution.

2.4.Use computer software to select and record brand changes.

2.5.Accurately enter prescriber’s specific directions for medication label.

2.6.Generate one printed label for each pack, repeat authorisations and Consumer Medicine Information (CMI).

3. Select and label prescribed medications.

3.1.Use original prescription to accurately select medications manually or robotically and to check medication form, strength and quantity.

3.2.Check printed label for directions for use, drug strength and quantity against original prescription and correct identified errors.

3.3.Apply printed labels and appropriate cautionary and advisory labels to each pack.

3.4.Ensure pharmacy labels do not obscure important information on manufacturer label.

4. Assemble prescribed medications and finalise documentation.

4.1.Assemble prescribed medicines with all relevant documentation and counselling aids.

4.2.Present dispensed items and prescription to pharmacist for verification.

4.3.Place in a container that leaves all items visible.

4.4.Place container in pharmacy-designated private collection location for return of prescription medication to customer.

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and across a forty hour work period:

assist in dispensing varied prescription types, both original and repeat, for different forms of medications both original and generic

assist in dispensing prescriptions for each of these customer types:

general customers

concessional customers

Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) customers.

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:

role boundaries and responsibilities of dispensary assistants and pharmacists in dispensing prescriptions

basic aspects of industry and regulatory guidelines for dispensing prescription medicines:

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s Professional Practice Standards – provisions relevant to dispensing

Pharmacy Board of Australia Guidelines for Dispensing of Medicines

basic aspects of these key legal product labelling requirements:

batch numbering

cautionary and advisory information

expiry dates

product names

organisational procedures for dispensing prescription medicines:

accessing and maintaining security of the dispensary area

validation of prescription content

checks required for repeat prescriptions, including those generated by a different pharmacy

requirements for pharmacist checks of dispensing activities

pricing of dispensed prescription items for concessional and non-concessional supply

maintaining privacy and confidentiality of customer information

housekeeping

private prescription pricing guidelines for:

items not subsidised by Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

quantity not subsidised by Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

repeats not subsidised by Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

medicines that do not count towards the safety net

prescription written for a person without a Medicare card including overseas visitors

co-payment discounted prescriptions

key terminology, jargon and common abbreviations relevant to dispensing prescriptions:

conventions used in prescription writing

dose forms

instructions for the use of medicines

medical terminology found on prescriptions

major drug groups and their expected effects on the body

a range of formats for, use and contents of:

cautionary and advisory medicine labels

customer medicine labels with directions for use

dispensary layout:

sequential positioning of medications along shelves

location of controlled substances under specific storage conditions

grouping of Pharmacist Only Medicines (S3)

refrigeration

features and functions of community pharmacy:

dispensary software

bar coding equipment.

Skills must be demonstrated in a pharmacy with a designated operational dispensary area. This must be in an industry workplace, which meets Pharmacy Board of Australia and relevant industry standards for dispensary operations.

Assessment must ensure use of:

information technology hardware and software

dispensary software currently used by the community pharmacy industry

pharmacy storage locations, shelf facings and signage for dispensary medicines

a diverse commercial product range of medicines

a diverse range of real or fictitious, valid and fully completed prescription types:

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS):

authority

concession

general

private

Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS)

cautionary and advisory medicine labels

pharmacy medicine labels to insert customer details and directions for use

current guidelines, directives and standards, issued by government regulators or industry groups, for dispensing prescription medicines to include:

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s Professional Practice Standards – provisions relevant to dispensing

Pharmacy Board of Australia Guidelines for Dispensing of Medicines

organisational procedures for dispensing prescription medicines

customers with whom the individual can interact

pharmacists with whom the individual can interact.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisation’s requirements for assessors, and:

have worked in the pharmacy sector for at least two years.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Check prescription details.

1.1.Follow organisational procedures for dispensing prescription medicines throughout dispensing process.

1.2.Accept and action in a logical and time-efficient sequence to serve customers effectively.

1.3.Check prescriptions for legality, validity and completeness.

1.4.Refer incomplete or invalid prescriptions to pharmacist for action with clear information about any discrepancies.

1.5.Identify situations requiring pharmacist clarification and ask questions to obtain instruction.

2. Record prescription information.

2.1.Enter patient, prescription and entitlement details from original prescription into dispensary computer system.

2.2.Check electronic data entry for match to patient and prescription details.

2.3.Recognise dispensary system alerts of medication and patient issues and refer to pharmacist for resolution.

2.4.Use computer software to select and record brand changes.

2.5.Accurately enter prescriber’s specific directions for medication label.

2.6.Generate one printed label for each pack, repeat authorisations and Consumer Medicine Information (CMI).

3. Select and label prescribed medications.

3.1.Use original prescription to accurately select medications manually or robotically and to check medication form, strength and quantity.

3.2.Check printed label for directions for use, drug strength and quantity against original prescription and correct identified errors.

3.3.Apply printed labels and appropriate cautionary and advisory labels to each pack.

3.4.Ensure pharmacy labels do not obscure important information on manufacturer label.

4. Assemble prescribed medications and finalise documentation.

4.1.Assemble prescribed medicines with all relevant documentation and counselling aids.

4.2.Present dispensed items and prescription to pharmacist for verification.

4.3.Place in a container that leaves all items visible.

4.4.Place container in pharmacy-designated private collection location for return of prescription medication to customer.

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and across a forty hour work period:

assist in dispensing varied prescription types, both original and repeat, for different forms of medications both original and generic

assist in dispensing prescriptions for each of these customer types:

general customers

concessional customers

Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) customers.

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:

role boundaries and responsibilities of dispensary assistants and pharmacists in dispensing prescriptions

basic aspects of industry and regulatory guidelines for dispensing prescription medicines:

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s Professional Practice Standards – provisions relevant to dispensing

Pharmacy Board of Australia Guidelines for Dispensing of Medicines

basic aspects of these key legal product labelling requirements:

batch numbering

cautionary and advisory information

expiry dates

product names

organisational procedures for dispensing prescription medicines:

accessing and maintaining security of the dispensary area

validation of prescription content

checks required for repeat prescriptions, including those generated by a different pharmacy

requirements for pharmacist checks of dispensing activities

pricing of dispensed prescription items for concessional and non-concessional supply

maintaining privacy and confidentiality of customer information

housekeeping

private prescription pricing guidelines for:

items not subsidised by Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

quantity not subsidised by Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

repeats not subsidised by Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

medicines that do not count towards the safety net

prescription written for a person without a Medicare card including overseas visitors

co-payment discounted prescriptions

key terminology, jargon and common abbreviations relevant to dispensing prescriptions:

conventions used in prescription writing

dose forms

instructions for the use of medicines

medical terminology found on prescriptions

major drug groups and their expected effects on the body

a range of formats for, use and contents of:

cautionary and advisory medicine labels

customer medicine labels with directions for use

dispensary layout:

sequential positioning of medications along shelves

location of controlled substances under specific storage conditions

grouping of Pharmacist Only Medicines (S3)

refrigeration

features and functions of community pharmacy:

dispensary software

bar coding equipment.

Skills must be demonstrated in a pharmacy with a designated operational dispensary area. This must be in an industry workplace, which meets Pharmacy Board of Australia and relevant industry standards for dispensary operations.

Assessment must ensure use of:

information technology hardware and software

dispensary software currently used by the community pharmacy industry

pharmacy storage locations, shelf facings and signage for dispensary medicines

a diverse commercial product range of medicines

a diverse range of real or fictitious, valid and fully completed prescription types:

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS):

authority

concession

general

private

Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS)

cautionary and advisory medicine labels

pharmacy medicine labels to insert customer details and directions for use

current guidelines, directives and standards, issued by government regulators or industry groups, for dispensing prescription medicines to include:

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s Professional Practice Standards – provisions relevant to dispensing

Pharmacy Board of Australia Guidelines for Dispensing of Medicines

organisational procedures for dispensing prescription medicines

customers with whom the individual can interact

pharmacists with whom the individual can interact.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisation’s requirements for assessors, and:

have worked in the pharmacy sector for at least two years.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Follow organisational procedures for dispensing prescription medicines throughout dispensing process. 
Accept and action in a logical and time-efficient sequence to serve customers effectively. 
Check prescriptions for legality, validity and completeness. 
Refer incomplete or invalid prescriptions to pharmacist for action with clear information about any discrepancies. 
Identify situations requiring pharmacist clarification and ask questions to obtain instruction. 
Enter patient, prescription and entitlement details from original prescription into dispensary computer system. 
Check electronic data entry for match to patient and prescription details. 
Recognise dispensary system alerts of medication and patient issues and refer to pharmacist for resolution. 
Use computer software to select and record brand changes. 
Accurately enter prescriber’s specific directions for medication label. 
Generate one printed label for each pack, repeat authorisations and Consumer Medicine Information (CMI). 
Use original prescription to accurately select medications manually or robotically and to check medication form, strength and quantity. 
Check printed label for directions for use, drug strength and quantity against original prescription and correct identified errors. 
Apply printed labels and appropriate cautionary and advisory labels to each pack. 
Ensure pharmacy labels do not obscure important information on manufacturer label. 
Assemble prescribed medicines with all relevant documentation and counselling aids. 
Present dispensed items and prescription to pharmacist for verification. 
Place in a container that leaves all items visible. 
Place container in pharmacy-designated private collection location for return of prescription medication to customer. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SIRCDIS003 - Assist in dispensing prescriptions
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

SIRCDIS003 - Assist in dispensing prescriptions

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: