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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Elements define the essential outcomes
2. Identify client information needs
   • Review client documentation to identify the medicines the client is taking
   • Clarify client information needs with pharmacist
   • Identify and plan to meet client special needs which may impact on the effectiveness of communication
   • Use standard assessment toolsto identify a client’s ability tomanage their medications
   • Discuss information needs with the client and /or carer and refer needs outside of scope of role to the pharmacist
3. Gather and prepare information to meet client needs
   • Access reference material to gather information
   • Ensure information is in a suitable format for the client to understand
   • Select appropriatemodes of communicationto suit the purpose and context of the information being provided
4. Provide specific or prepared information to clients
   • Provide prepared information to clients when requested by the pharmacist
   • Present relevant information to the client clearly and in sufficient detail to meet the needs of the client
   • Reinforce the key messages provided to clients by the pharmacist or through consumer medicine information (CMI) and refer needs outside of scope of role to the pharmacist
   • Exercise appropriate discretion and confidentiality and explain boundaries of confidentiality to client
   • Seek advice and assistance from the pharmacist for unresolved concerns or issues
   • Negotiate appointments with client and staff for the provision of information to the client
5. Collect information and provide to other health professionals
   • Detect new client admission and notify pharmacist
   • Record client’s medication brought into hospital
   • Communicate medicines supply information to internal medical, nursing staff and community providers
   • Obtain discharge planning information from relevant source
   • Prepare information for health professional for verification by the pharmacist
   • Transfer information to health professional after verification by pharmacist
6. Confirm that client information needs have been met
   • Clarify with client that they understand the information provided
   • Confirm with the pharmacist that client information needs have been met
   • Record details of information provided to the client

Performance Evidence

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:

complied with legislative and professional practice standards in the collection and provision of a medicines list for at least 10 clients, using effective communication techniques to elicit and provide information in one-to-one communication, including:

listened actively

used techniques to establish rapport

used techniques to clarify meaning

provided clear, concise and correct information both verbally and in writing

recognised and addressed issues of concern

identified issues outside scope of practice and referred them to the pharmacist

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

legal and ethical requirements (national, state/territory) for pharmacy work, and how these are applied in organisations, including:

codes of conduct

duty of care (and implications of negligence)

informed consent

privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

records management

rights and responsibilities of workers, employers and clients

specific legislation:

medicines and their use

the practice of pharmacy

different schedules of medicines and pharmaceutical products

work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations, including limitations of own work role and type of information able to be provided:

CMI

confirmation of appointment date and time

information about the use of respiratory devices

information about the use of dose administration aids (DAAs)

standardised (workplace approved) information for clients

work health and safety

purpose and scope of client education to aid compliance with administration of medicines

procedures for client identification and confirmation of identification

CMI:

purpose and layout

sources of pharmacy computer system, National Prescribing Services online CMI search

documentation:

assessment of client’s ability to manage medications

list of medications brought into hospital

that CMI or other medication-related information has been issued to client/carer

purpose and features of DAAs and limitations and problems with these devices

principles of effective communication, including recognition of communication and language difficulties and how to overcome these

features of current medication lists, purpose and layout

sources and method of preparation of electronic and hard copy information

purpose of, and methods for, standardised assessment of client’s ability to manage medications

factors that affect clients’ ability to manage medications, including special needs related to:

communication environment and context

cognitive ability

cultural or language barriers

respiratory devices:

care of respiratory devices

demonstration of respiratory devices

knowledge, purpose and selection criteria for respiratory devices (including: dry powder inhalers, metered dose inhaler, spacers )

structure and functions of the body systems and associated components, including:

cardiovascular system

cells, tissues and organs

digestive system

endocrine system

integumentary system

lymphatic system

musculo-skeletal system

nervous system

reproductive system

respiratory system

the special senses – smell, taste, vision, equilibrium and hearing

urinary system

purposes of different medicine groups, including:

analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents

anti-coagulants

anti-depressants

anti-diabetic agents

anti-epileptics

anti-gout agents

anti-histamines

anti-hypertensives

anxiolytics and hypnotics

asthma treating agents

cholesterol and lipid lowering agents

corticosteroids

cytotoxics

diuretics

gastro-intestinal agents

heart medicines

hormonal medicines

osteoporosis medicines

viral and anti-bacterial agents, anti-fungals or antibiotics

factors affecting medicine groups:

blood pressure

breast feeding

geriatric

paediatric

pregnancy

issues that affect the use of medicine in an individual:

bioavailability

bioequivalence

medicines absorption

medicines distribution

medicines elimination

medicines half-life

medicines metabolism

concept of medicines:

medicines interactions

medicines food interactions and incompatibilities

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