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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. Identify customer needs.
   • Follow organisational procedures to respect and protect customer privacy.
   • Question and actively listen to confirm customer needs.
   • Explain features of initial and repeat blood pressure testing services.
   • Identify and act on triggers for referral to pharmacist.
2. Test blood glucose levels.
   • Follow organisational procedures for testing blood glucose.
   • Explain limitations of single test as accurate indicator and suggest regular monitoring.
   • Select quiet and comfortable area and clearly explain testing procedure to customer.
   • Prepare and use testing equipment according to manufacturer instructions.
   • Apply lancet to inside of customer fingertip or alternative area.
   • Trigger lancet, hold blood against test strip loaded into monitor and wait for monitor to register blood glucose reading.
   • Read test results, enter accurate and complete information on testing record and refer to pharmacist for verification.
   • Provide confirmed record to customer and file copy.
   • Dispose of used lancets and strips according to safety requirements.
3. Support use of home blood glucose testing equipment.
   • Follow organisational procedures for supplying home blood glucose testing equipment.
   • Identify and recommend equipment appropriate to customer needs and clearly explain its features.
   • Demonstrate use, care and maintenance of digital home blood glucose testing equipment and confirm customer understanding.
   • Provide information on common reasons for inaccurate readings.
   • Show customer how to keep a blood glucose record.
4. Provide information on diabetes management.
   • Encourage customer to take and record regular blood glucose readings and report to their doctor.
   • Provide and process key information on the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS).
   • Source, review and provide customers with information on lifestyle, self-care practices and availability of specialist services that support diabetes management.

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:

access and interpret information on diabetes and specialist support services from two different sources

test blood glucose on four different occasions

recommend and demonstrate home blood glucose testing equipment to two different customers, providing clear and accurate information on each of the following:

directions for product use

care and maintenance of home blood glucose testing equipment

methods to avoid inaccurate readings at home

format, content and use of customer personal blood glucose records

lifestyle and self-care practices

National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS)

specialist services that support diabetes management.

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Knowledge Evidence

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:

sources of information on diabetes and specialist support services:

federal, state or territory government health education internet sites

not for profit health councils

industry and professional publications

product manufacturer health education materials

key features of the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS):

eligibility

products that fall under NDSS

how to record customer purchases

how to submit a claim for NDSS

types of diabetes and common symptoms:

type 1 diabetes

type 2 diabetes

gestational diabetes

hyperglycaemia

hypoglycaemia

health conditions that can result from diabetes

how insulin works in the human body, at a basic level of understanding

common lifestyle factors that can contribute to or exacerbate diabetes conditions and methods of self-care to address these

key terminology, jargon and common abbreviations relevant to diabetes, for:

health conditions resulting from diabetes

testing and recording blood glucose levels

pharmacy and home blood glucose testing equipment

pharmacy product range of home blood glucose testing equipment:

location

different types

features and uses

ways to avoid inaccurate readings at home

care and maintenance

format, content and use of:

pharmacy blood glucose testing records

customer personal blood glucose records

sources and format of product, lifestyle and self-care information:

manufacturer product support materials:

Consumer Medicines Information (CMI)

product leaflets, brochures, booklets

internet sites

health-care fact sheets

pharmacy manuals

reputable health education internet sites; government and not-for profit organisations

role boundaries and responsibilities of pharmacy assistants, and circumstances which require and trigger referral to a pharmacist

organisational procedures for testing blood glucose and supplying home blood glucose testing equipment:

questions that must be asked to collect information about customer needs

identifying and acting on triggers for referral to a pharmacist, including eligibility for Diabetes MedsCheck

maintaining privacy and confidentiality of customer information

recording and maintaining readings and requirements for pharmacist verification

safe handling and disposal of sharps.

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