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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare to pack dose administration aids.
   • Follow organisational procedures for preparing DAAs throughout dispensing process.
   • Schedule processing of orders to meeting despatch deadlines.
   • Follow organisational process for dealing with new DAA patients.
   • Read, check and follow dose administration and packaging documentation and instructions.
   • Maintain personal hygiene and handle medicines and containers hygienically to avoid contamination.
   • Set up packaging containers, other consumables and equipment according to manufacturer instructions.
   • Confirm availability of patient medicines and identify medications not suitable for packing in a DAA.
2. Pack dose administration aids.
   • Prepare and attach labels with required DAA information to header cards.
   • Fill DAAs according to pharmacist instructions and patient record of medications.
   • Include Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) with patient DAAs.
   • Ensure all requested patient medications not packed in DAA are provided.
   • Reconcile dispensed medicines with DAA packed medicines in terms of form, dose, strength and quantity.
   • Present filled containers, any additional medications, CMI and patient record of medications for evidence checking by pharmacist.
   • Obtain pharmacist approval, sign off on document and pack filled containers.
3. Complete administration and maintenance activities.
   • Store filled DAA orders in designated area awaiting collection or delivery.
   • Follow organisational procedures to clean and maintain dose administration area.
   • Use computerised dispensary system to accurately record DAA client and medication information.
   • Make changes to DAAs already provided to patients as directed by pharmacist.
   • Dispose of waste according to environmental requirements, patient privacy protocols and organisational waste management procedures.

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:

assist in preparing twelve dose administration aids (DAAs)

assist in preparing DAA orders for each of these customer types:

new customers

ongoing 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 the preparation of dose administration aids

circumstances which require and trigger referral to a pharmacist

basic aspects of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s Professional Practice Standards – provisions relevant to dose administration aids services

organisational procedures for preparing dose administration aids:

accessing and maintaining security of the dispensary area

dealing with new DAA patients

requirements for pharmacist checks of DAAs

patient record keeping

logging of all filled and verified DAAs

cleaning and maintenance of dose administration area

disposal of rejected dispensary items to minimise environmental impacts and protect confidentiality of patient information

formats for, use and contents of:

drug charts

patient medication profiles, both simple and complex

service contracts

DAA orders

features, functions and uses of different types of DAAs:

re-usable dosette boxes

tamper-proof, sealed DAAs

features of medications not suitable for packing in a DAA

features, functions and operating requirements of DAA equipment:

heat or press sealing equipment

irons

pill splitters

formats for, use and required contents of DAA labels:

pharmacy name and address

phone number

consumer name

active ingredients

brand name

strength

directions for use

cautionary and advisory information

packing and expiry date

personal hygiene practices to avoid contamination of medicines and dose administration containers

environmental protection practices for disposal of waste

features and functions of dispensary software specifically for keeping patient DAA records.

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