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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. Check prescription details.
   • 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.
2. Record prescription information.
   • 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).
3. Select and label prescribed medications.
   • 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.
4. Assemble prescribed medications and finalise documentation.
   • 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.

Performance Evidence

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.

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Knowledge Evidence

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.

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