This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

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 CommonwealthState regulatory and legislative requirements

Dispensing procedures

accepted selfchecking processes when dispensing medicines to ensure accuracy of own work

charging for pharmaceuticals eg organisation policy and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

legal requirements and principles of pharmaceutical product labelling eg 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 nonformulary medicines eg clinical trial medicines and Special Access Scheme medicines

products with the required integrity as well as those whose integrity has been compromised eg damaged contaminated or deteriorated stock

routine of handling products and products requiring special handling eg 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 inhouse 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 inhouse 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 names of medicines

Essential skills

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Assist pharmacist in the accurate preparation of prescription medication order requirements

Follow instructions and complete tasks accurately and efficiently

Identify issues outside scope of practice and refer to the authorised person

Work in accordance with relevant work health and safety and infection control guidelines

Work in accordance with relevant organisation policy legislative requirements industrial awards and agreements and inhouse standard operating procedures SOPs for dispensing of medication orders

In addition the candidate must be able 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 the ability to

Apply accepted selfchecking processes through out dispensing procedure to ensure accuracy of own work

Communicate and interact effectively with colleagues health care practitioners and clients

Demonstrate safe dispensing practices including

calculate quantities of each item using Standards International SI system

create labels which are legal clearly readable with instructions expressed in simple language including all information specified by the prescriber

identify and select correct product with reference to form dose strength brand and quantity

identify discrepanciesdeviations and refer to the authorised person

use ancillary and cautionary labels and explanatory statements and directions as specified by most recent APF

use measuring devices appropriately and correctly

Enter and access dispensing data on pharmacy computer system

Take into account opportunities to address waste minimisation environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues

Use available resources and prioritise workload

Use literacy numeracy and oral communication skills required to fulfil the position in a safe manner as specified by the health care facility

Use problem solving skills

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria Required Skills and Knowledge the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit

The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills

Observation of workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace

Where for reasons of safety space or access to equipment and resources assessment takes place away from the workplace the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as closely as possible

Simulations may be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possibleAcceptable simulation requires

Simulations may be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Acceptable simulation requires:

Scope to determine that work is conducted within legislative and regulatory requirements

Scope to determine that work is conducted within WHS and infection control requirements

Resources essential for assessment include

Access to relevant workplace or a simulated environment where assessment can take place

Relevant legislation regulations and guidelines

Relevant policies Good Practice requirements

Weighing and measuring equipment and instructions

Method of assessment may include

Formal appraisal systems

Interviewing and questioning

Observation in the work place

Supporting statement of supervisors

Written assignmentsprojects

Access and equity considerations

All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work

All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment

In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities workers should be aware of cultural historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal andor Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Prescription / medicationorder for dispensing may be for:

Client details may include:

Legality, validity and completeness of the medicationorder may include but is not limited to:

Report discrepancies to pharmacist may include but are not limited to:

Provide information to client may include:

Generate prescription labels may include:

Prepare cautionary and advisory labels include those: