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. Prepare for compounding process. | 1.1.Follow organisational procedures for preparing extemporaneous prescriptions throughout compounding process. 1.2.Obtain and interpret compounding worksheet and seek additional direction from pharmacist when clarification needed. 1.3.Clean compounding work area to avoid spoilage of pharmaceutical products. 1.4.Maintain personal hygiene, handle ingredients, equipment and containers hygienically throughout compounding process to avoid contamination. 1.5.Select measuring and mixing equipment of correct type and size for the task. 1.6.Safely assemble, ensure cleanliness and check calibration of equipment before use. 1.7.Select and use personal protective equipment to avoid personal injury during the compounding process. |
2. Select and measure ingredients. | 2.1.Identify and select required ingredients specified in compounding worksheet. 2.2.Sort and safely assemble raw materials according to sequence of compounding processes. 2.3.Measure ingredient quantities according to worksheet specifications. |
3. Prepare compounded products. | 3.1.Prepare ingredients by grinding, milling or heating according to worksheet specifications. 3.2.Combine ingredients according to worksheet specifications. 3.3.Inspect compounded product to confirm quality and adjust according to individual responsibility or refer to pharmacist. 3.4.Confirm labelling requirements with pharmacist and prepare accurate and complete labels. 3.5.Select dispensing containers specified by pharmacist. 3.6.Attach medication, cautionary and advisory labels to containers as directed. 3.7.Transfer final compounded product to labelled containers. 3.8.Present completed compounded items, prescription and worksheet to pharmacist for verification. 3.9.Check pharmacist worksheet calculations and alert pharmacist to any discrepancies. |
4. Maintain records and compounding materials. | 4.1.Record prescription information using appropriate pharmacopoeial name, active ingredient and quantity. 4.2.Follow pharmaceutical numerical conventions when recording quantities and units of measurement. 4.3.Return unused ingredients to storage and adjust stock records. 4.4.Maintain inventory levels of raw materials and consumable equipment. 4.5.Monitor storage conditions to ensure product integrity is maintained. 4.6.Dispose of waste, especially hazardous substances, according to environmental requirements and organisational waste management procedures. |
Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:
interpret and follow compounding worksheets to assist in preparing each of the following types of extemporaneous prescriptions which must be of consistent quality and of varying quantities:
Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook formulations for both adults and children
combined proprietary products
dermatological preparations (simple creams)
modified formulations to remove colours or preservatives
reconstituted products
assist in preparing extemporaneous prescriptions for products in each of the following forms:
creams
drops
gels
liquids
ointments
pastes
powders
use the following range of measuring and mixing equipment to prepare each of the above:
heating equipment
mixing slabs
mortar and pestle
spatulas and mixing rods
syringes
tweezers
volumetric containers; beakers and measuring cylinders.
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 preparing extemporaneous prescriptions
circumstances which require and trigger referral to a pharmacist
basic aspects of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s Professional Practice Standards – provisions relevant to compounding (extemporaneous dispensing)
organisational procedures for preparing extemporaneous prescriptions:
validation of worksheet content and calculations
calibrating measuring equipment
requirements for pharmacist checks of compounded items
record keeping for compounding, prescription and stock control activities
cleaning and maintenance of compounding area
personal hygiene
waste disposal
common terms and abbreviations used in prescription writing as detailed in the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook (APF) of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia
properties and characteristics of:
drops
creams
gels
liquids
ointments
pastes
powders
pharmaceutical raw materials:
forms
quality or grades
strengths
storage conditions for optimum quality
methods to measure liquids, including accurate reading of meniscus
mixing techniques to achieve even distribution of ingredients, including levigation
layout of compounding and storage areas:
arrangement of measuring and other equipment
grouping and positioning of pharmaceutical raw materials
equipment used to prepare extemporaneous prescriptions:
essential features and functions
care and storage requirements
calibration schedules
safe operational practices
cleaning and disinfecting techniques and products used for:
compounding work areas and work bench surfaces
compounding equipment
effective cleaning of water based ingredients
effective cleaning of oil based ingredients
role, use and basic content of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) or plain English workplace documents or diagrams that interpret SDS content:
for work health and safety purposes
for environmental protection purposes
workplace hazards, associated health and safety risks and safe work practices for:
using sharp equipment
handling hazardous substances; both, pharmaceutical raw materials and cleaning products
types and correct use of personal protection equipment for preparing extemporaneous prescriptions
the meaning of a range of chemical hazard codes and symbols
personal hygiene practices to avoid contamination of pharmaceutical raw materials and compounded items
environmentally sound disposal methods for hazardous waste:
pharmaceutical raw materials
cleaning products
pharmaceutical sharps
features and functions of dispensary and stock control software specifically for:
recording extemporaneous prescription and compounding information
recording stock levels.
Skills must be demonstrated in a pharmacy with a designated operational compounding area and storage facilities for pharmaceutical raw materials. This must be in an industry workplace which meets Pharmacy Board of Australia and relevant industry standards for preparing extemporaneous prescriptions.
Assessment must ensure use of:
information technology hardware and software
dispensary and stock control software currently used by the community pharmacy industry
refrigerator or freezer dedicated to pharmaceuticals
measuring and mixing equipment:
heating equipment
mixing slabs
mortar and pestle
spatulas and mixing rods
syringes
tweezers
volumetric containers; beakers and measuring cylinders
a range of containers:
air-tight containers
light-resistant (amber glass or high-density plastic) containers
moisture-proof containers
sealed containers for ready-to-use unit-doses
secure packaging including child-resistant containers
waste disposal bags and containers for pharmaceutical waste including sharps containers
personal protective equipment:
closed footwear
disposable gloves
face masks
hairnets
lab coats
safety glasses or goggles
a diverse commercial product range of pharmaceutical raw materials in these forms:
drops
creams
gels
liquid
ointments
pastes
powders
purified water
cleaning and disinfecting products used for:
compounding work areas and work bench surfaces
compounding equipment
cleaning cloths:
dry
lint-free
wet
fully completed compounding worksheets for a diverse range of extemporaneous prescriptions
cautionary and advisory medicine labels
pharmacy medicine labels to insert customer details and directions for use
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s Professional Practice Standards – provisions relevant to compounding (extemporaneous dispensing)
organisational procedures for preparing extemporaneous prescriptions
pharmaceutical and cleaning product Safety Data Sheets (SDS) or plain English workplace documents or diagrams that interpret SDS content
pharmacists with whom the individual can interact
assessment activities that allow the individual to work with commercial speed, timing and productivity to complete compounding activities within nominated deadlines.
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.