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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Check prescription details.
  2. Enter prescription information.
  3. Select and label prescribed medications.
  4. Assemble prescribed medications and finalise documentation.

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to

provide relevant information to and seek direction from a pharmacist as required

ask questions to identify and confirm pharmacist requirements

literacy skills to

check that patient and prescription details are complete and valid

follow prescription information

prepare labels in plain English

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

confirm that directions for use on prescribed medications match the relevant prescription

apply procedures for selecting bioequivalent generic medicines

apply procedures for selecting bioequivalent generic medicines

numeracy skills to apply prescription requirements relating to

drug strength

quantities

planning and organising skills to

apply procedures for assembling and preparing prescription items

organise work to meet dispensary workflow requirements

teamwork skills to operate as part of a dispensary team working under the supervision of a pharmacist

technology skills to use the dispensary software system to

enter patient and prescription information

access patient medications dispensing history

print medication labels

scan medication labels

Required knowledge

dispensary workflow and layout including

alphabetical arrangement of medications

sequential positioning of medications along shelves

controlled substances under specific storage conditions

grouping of Pharmacist Only Medicines S

refrigeration

dose forms and abbreviated names

key areas of the dispensary software system

legal requirements and principles for product labelling such as

product name

batch numbering

expiry date

major drug groups and their expected effects on the body

personal role boundaries and responsibilities in assisting a pharmacist with dispensing activities

pharmacy procedures relating to dispensary activities including

protecting customer privacy

controlling accessing and maintaining security of the dispensary

pricing dispensary items

dispensary housekeeping checklist and responsibilities

prescribing conventions abbreviations and medical terminology used in prescriptions and instructions for the use of medicines

procedures and rationale for validating prescriptions

relevant regulations and guidelines including

Pharmacy Board of Australia Guidelines for Dispensing of Medicines

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme PBS requirements

Medicare Australia regulations

Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons SUSMP

types of prescriptions presented for dispensing at community pharmacies including

PBS prescriptions including

authority

concession

dental

general

pension

podiatrist

optometrist

private prescriptions including

medicines that do not count towards the safety net

items not subsidised by PBS

prescription written for a person without a Medicare card such as an overseas visitor

quantity not subsidised by PBS

repeats not subsidised by PBS

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

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

Evidence of the ability to

check patient details and prescription details to verify that prescriptions are complete and valid

enter prescription information and use dispensary software for a range of dispensing tasks

refer to pharmacist to check patient record for each prescription

follow dispensary procedures to assemble label and check prescribed items

plan and carry out dispensing tasks to meet dispensary workflow requirements

recognise and act on software alerts or respond to other contingencies by referring to the pharmacist

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure that competency is

consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor as described in the assessment

demonstrated in a real workplace environment that meets Pharmacy Board of Australia and relevant industry standards for dispensary operations which may include client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the pharmacy

Assessment must ensure access to

pharmacy dispensary policies and procedures

a dispensary software system

a range of real or simulated customer prescriptions with different requirements

a range of Pharmacist Only Medicines and related dispensing equipment

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge The following examples are appropriate for this unit

observation of the candidate in the dispensary

assisting a dispensing pharmacist by performing a range of dispensing tasks over sufficient time to demonstrate handling of a range of contingencies

using dispensary software

written or oral questions appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner to test relevant underpinning knowledge

review of portfolios of evidence and thirdparty workplace reports of onthejob performance assisting with dispensary operations

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Patient detailsmay include:

address

allergies

any other contact

body weight

concessional entitlements

date of birth

home telephone or mobile number

name

Medicare number.

Prescription detailsmay include:

advised substitution options

authority approval

date

doctor’s signature

prescription requirements

controlled drug requirements.

Prescription may include:

PBS prescriptions

private prescriptions

electronic or hard copy format.

Patient recordmay include:

dispensing history for consistency of treatment

evidence of misuse

interactions with other medications

labels

repeats.

Cautionary and advisory labelsmay include:

warning against undesirable effects, including interactions with other medicines or foods

being designed to maximise efficacy in the use of medications.

Important informationmay include:

batch number

expiry date

name

strength.