Assessor Resource

SIRCHCS003
Test blood pressure and advise on self-monitoring

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to test blood pressure, record readings, recommend appropriate home blood pressure testing equipment and assist customers with blood pressure management information. It requires the ability to identify and act on triggers for referral to a pharmacist for therapeutic advice. The blood pressure testing instrument may be a mercury (aneroid) blood pressure monitor or an electronic digital blood pressure monitor.

This unit applies to pharmacy assistants working in community pharmacies. They work with some independence, under general supervision and guidance from others, but ultimately under the supervising pharmacist.

No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

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. Identify customer needs.

1.1.Follow organisational procedures to respect and protect customer privacy.

1.2.Question and actively listen to confirm customer needs.

1.3.Explain features of initial and repeat blood pressure testing services.

1.4.Identify and act on triggers for referral to pharmacist.

2. Test blood pressure.

2.1.Follow organisational procedures for testing blood pressure.

2.2.Explain limitations of single test as accurate indicator and suggest regular monitoring.

2.3.Select quiet and comfortable area and allow customer to relax before testing.

2.4.Select blood pressure testing instrument and appropriate cuff size and clearly explain testing procedure to customer.

2.5.Apply cuff and use testing instrument according to manufacturer instructions to test pulse, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure.

2.6.Repeat procedure to check accuracy.

2.7.Read test results, enter accurate and complete information on testing record and refer to pharmacist for verification.

2.8.Provide confirmed record to customer and file copy.

3. Support use of home blood pressure testing equipment.

3.1.Follow organisational procedures for supplying home blood pressure testing equipment.

3.2.Identify and recommend equipment appropriate to customer needs and clearly explain its features.

3.3.Demonstrate use, care and maintenance of digital home blood pressure testing equipment and confirm customer understanding.

3.4.Assist customer to identify self-testing strategies to achieve accurate readings.

3.5.Show customer how to keep a blood pressure record.

4. Provide information and advice on blood pressure management.

4.1.Encourage customer to take and record regular blood pressure readings and report to their doctor.

4.2.Advise customer to calibrate home testing equipment against doctor’s equipment reading every six months.

4.3.Source, review and provide customers with information on lifestyle, self-care practices and availability of specialist services that support blood pressure management.

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:

access and interpret information on blood pressure conditions and specialist support services from two sources

test blood pressure for four different customers

demonstrate, recommend and sell home blood pressure testing equipment to two different customers

for each customer sale, provide information on:

directions for product use

care and maintenance of home blood pressure testing equipment

self-testing strategies to achieve accurate readings at home

format, content and use of customer personal blood pressure records

lifestyle and self-care practices

specialist services that support blood pressure management.

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

sources of information on blood pressure conditions and specialist support services:

federal, state or territory government health education internet sites

not for profit health councils

industry and professional publications

product manufacturer health education materials

common symptoms of high and low blood pressure

common lifestyle factors that can contribute to or exacerbate abnormal blood pressure and methods of self-care

meaning of:

systolic blood pressure

diastolic blood pressure

range of normal blood pressure levels

key terminology, jargon and common abbreviations relevant to blood pressure, for:

testing and recording blood pressure levels

pharmacy and home blood pressure testing equipment

pharmacy product range of home blood pressure testing equipment:

location

different types

features and uses

care and maintenance

customer self-testing strategies to achieve accurate readings at home

format, content and use of:

pharmacy blood pressure testing records

customer personal blood pressure records

sources and format of product, lifestyle and self-care information:

manufacturer product support materials:

Consumer Medicines Information (CMI)

product leaflets, brochures, booklets

internet sites

health-care fact sheets

pharmacy manuals

reputable health education internet sites; government and not-for profit organisations

role boundaries and responsibilities of pharmacy assistants, and circumstances which require and trigger referral to a pharmacist

organisational procedures for testing blood pressure and supplying home blood pressure testing equipment:

questions that must be asked to collect information about customer needs

identifying and acting on triggers for referral to a pharmacist

maintaining privacy and confidentiality of customer information

recording and maintaining readings and requirements for pharmacist verification.

Skills must be demonstrated in a pharmacy with designated front of pharmacy and dispensary areas. This can be:

an industry workplace

a simulated industry environment.

Assessment must ensure use of:

information technology hardware and software

online information systems

blood pressure monitors

commercial product range of home blood pressure testing equipment

templates for:

pharmacy blood pressure testing records

customer personal blood pressure records

customer brochures and leaflets providing information on:

directions for product use

care and maintenance of equipment

lifestyle and self-care practices

specialist services that support blood pressure management

organisational procedures for testing blood pressure and supplying home monitoring equipment

customers with whom the individual can interact; these can be:

customers in an industry workplace who are served by the individual during the assessment process or

individuals who participate in role plays or simulated activities, set up for the purpose of assessment, in a simulated industry environment operated within a training organisation.

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. Identify customer needs.

1.1.Follow organisational procedures to respect and protect customer privacy.

1.2.Question and actively listen to confirm customer needs.

1.3.Explain features of initial and repeat blood pressure testing services.

1.4.Identify and act on triggers for referral to pharmacist.

2. Test blood pressure.

2.1.Follow organisational procedures for testing blood pressure.

2.2.Explain limitations of single test as accurate indicator and suggest regular monitoring.

2.3.Select quiet and comfortable area and allow customer to relax before testing.

2.4.Select blood pressure testing instrument and appropriate cuff size and clearly explain testing procedure to customer.

2.5.Apply cuff and use testing instrument according to manufacturer instructions to test pulse, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure.

2.6.Repeat procedure to check accuracy.

2.7.Read test results, enter accurate and complete information on testing record and refer to pharmacist for verification.

2.8.Provide confirmed record to customer and file copy.

3. Support use of home blood pressure testing equipment.

3.1.Follow organisational procedures for supplying home blood pressure testing equipment.

3.2.Identify and recommend equipment appropriate to customer needs and clearly explain its features.

3.3.Demonstrate use, care and maintenance of digital home blood pressure testing equipment and confirm customer understanding.

3.4.Assist customer to identify self-testing strategies to achieve accurate readings.

3.5.Show customer how to keep a blood pressure record.

4. Provide information and advice on blood pressure management.

4.1.Encourage customer to take and record regular blood pressure readings and report to their doctor.

4.2.Advise customer to calibrate home testing equipment against doctor’s equipment reading every six months.

4.3.Source, review and provide customers with information on lifestyle, self-care practices and availability of specialist services that support blood pressure management.

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:

access and interpret information on blood pressure conditions and specialist support services from two sources

test blood pressure for four different customers

demonstrate, recommend and sell home blood pressure testing equipment to two different customers

for each customer sale, provide information on:

directions for product use

care and maintenance of home blood pressure testing equipment

self-testing strategies to achieve accurate readings at home

format, content and use of customer personal blood pressure records

lifestyle and self-care practices

specialist services that support blood pressure management.

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

sources of information on blood pressure conditions and specialist support services:

federal, state or territory government health education internet sites

not for profit health councils

industry and professional publications

product manufacturer health education materials

common symptoms of high and low blood pressure

common lifestyle factors that can contribute to or exacerbate abnormal blood pressure and methods of self-care

meaning of:

systolic blood pressure

diastolic blood pressure

range of normal blood pressure levels

key terminology, jargon and common abbreviations relevant to blood pressure, for:

testing and recording blood pressure levels

pharmacy and home blood pressure testing equipment

pharmacy product range of home blood pressure testing equipment:

location

different types

features and uses

care and maintenance

customer self-testing strategies to achieve accurate readings at home

format, content and use of:

pharmacy blood pressure testing records

customer personal blood pressure records

sources and format of product, lifestyle and self-care information:

manufacturer product support materials:

Consumer Medicines Information (CMI)

product leaflets, brochures, booklets

internet sites

health-care fact sheets

pharmacy manuals

reputable health education internet sites; government and not-for profit organisations

role boundaries and responsibilities of pharmacy assistants, and circumstances which require and trigger referral to a pharmacist

organisational procedures for testing blood pressure and supplying home blood pressure testing equipment:

questions that must be asked to collect information about customer needs

identifying and acting on triggers for referral to a pharmacist

maintaining privacy and confidentiality of customer information

recording and maintaining readings and requirements for pharmacist verification.

Skills must be demonstrated in a pharmacy with designated front of pharmacy and dispensary areas. This can be:

an industry workplace

a simulated industry environment.

Assessment must ensure use of:

information technology hardware and software

online information systems

blood pressure monitors

commercial product range of home blood pressure testing equipment

templates for:

pharmacy blood pressure testing records

customer personal blood pressure records

customer brochures and leaflets providing information on:

directions for product use

care and maintenance of equipment

lifestyle and self-care practices

specialist services that support blood pressure management

organisational procedures for testing blood pressure and supplying home monitoring equipment

customers with whom the individual can interact; these can be:

customers in an industry workplace who are served by the individual during the assessment process or

individuals who participate in role plays or simulated activities, set up for the purpose of assessment, in a simulated industry environment operated within a training organisation.

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 to respect and protect customer privacy. 
Question and actively listen to confirm customer needs. 
Explain features of initial and repeat blood pressure testing services. 
Identify and act on triggers for referral to pharmacist. 
Follow organisational procedures for testing blood pressure. 
Explain limitations of single test as accurate indicator and suggest regular monitoring. 
Select quiet and comfortable area and allow customer to relax before testing. 
Select blood pressure testing instrument and appropriate cuff size and clearly explain testing procedure to customer. 
Apply cuff and use testing instrument according to manufacturer instructions to test pulse, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. 
Repeat procedure to check accuracy. 
Read test results, enter accurate and complete information on testing record and refer to pharmacist for verification. 
Provide confirmed record to customer and file copy. 
Follow organisational procedures for supplying home blood pressure testing equipment. 
Identify and recommend equipment appropriate to customer needs and clearly explain its features. 
Demonstrate use, care and maintenance of digital home blood pressure testing equipment and confirm customer understanding. 
Assist customer to identify self-testing strategies to achieve accurate readings. 
Show customer how to keep a blood pressure record. 
Encourage customer to take and record regular blood pressure readings and report to their doctor. 
Advise customer to calibrate home testing equipment against doctor’s equipment reading every six months. 
Source, review and provide customers with information on lifestyle, self-care practices and availability of specialist services that support blood pressure management. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SIRCHCS003 - Test blood pressure and advise on self-monitoring
Assessment task 1: [title]

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

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Assessment Record Sheet

SIRCHCS003 - Test blood pressure and advise on self-monitoring

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

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