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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. Collect information about customer smoking cessation needs.
   • Approach and question customer according to pharmacy protocol.
   • Use questions and actively listen to determine extent of nicotine dependence.
   • Determine customer satisfaction with products previously used.
   • Identify any other health conditions and prescribed medications.
   • Follow pharmacy procedures to respect and protect customer privacy.
2. Assess customer information and determine need for referral.
   • Recognise and act on information that requires referral to the pharmacist.
   • Recognise and act on information that indicates the potential for better customer outcomes with Pharmacist Only Medicines (S3).
   • Provide clear summary of customer information to pharmacist when referral is required.
   • Monitor pharmacist consultation and finalise interaction with customer according to pharmacy procedures.
3. Provide product, self-care and lifestyle information.
   • Select and suggest nicotine replacement products suited to customer needs within scope of own knowledge.
   • Identify and use opportunities to suggest companion products, aids and equipment relevant to desired outcomes.
   • Provide customer with clear directions for product use and use questioning to confirm understanding.
   • Offer current and accurate information on related lifestyle and self-care practices and specialist support services.
4. Maintain and develop knowledge of smoking cessation, products and services.
   • Identify and use opportunities to maintain and develop product and health condition knowledge using recognised sources of information.
   • Check regularly for new additions or changes to range.
   • Use product information to update knowledge of product application and directions for use.

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 about nicotine dependence, smoking cessation and specialist support services from two different sources

recognise and respond to three different nicotine or smoking cessation-related situations that require referral to a pharmacist

suggest suitable smoking cessation products for three different customers

provide directions for product use and other information on lifestyle, self-care practices and specialist support services for the above three customers.

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Knowledge Evidence

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

common symptoms of smoking-related illness

short and long-term health effects of active and passive smoking

characteristics of nicotine dependence and physiological effects, at a basic level of understanding

common behavioural triggers that contribute to smoking

common barriers to quitting smoking

key terminology, jargon and common abbreviations relevant to smoking cessation, for:

smoking-related health conditions

nicotine replacement products

the potential relationship between smoking cessation and weight management, and the basic features of a healthy diet within the boundaries of the Australian Dietary Guidelines

different types of smoking cessation products, their use, their side effects and interactions that may contraindicate their use:

different forms - gums, patches, lozenges, inhalers, sprays

modes of action, at a basic level of understanding

application

aids and equipment used for smoking cessation:

features and uses

care and maintenance

components of smoking cessation kits

recognised and credible 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

industry and professional publications

medicines databases

pharmacy manuals

reputable health education internet sites

government and not-for profit organisations:

Quit

National Tobacco Strategy

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

organisational procedures for supplying nicotine replacement products and smoking cessation aids:

questions that must be asked to collect information about customer needs

collecting and supplying information to an agent acting on behalf of a customer

identifying and acting on triggers for referral to a pharmacist

maintaining privacy and confidentiality of customer information.

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