This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

The following skills must be assessed as part of this unit

apply literacy skills to read and interpret prescription information record customer information and prepare labels in plain English

demonstrate procedures for assembling and preparing prescription items consistent with protocols and procedures

apply protocols and procedures for selecting bioequivalent generic medicines

use dispensary information system to maintain customer history details and identify alerts or warnings for pharmacist referral

maintain dispensary to meet good housekeeping requirements

plan and organise work to meet dispensary workflow requirements

The following knowledge must be assessed as part of this unit

pharmacy policies protocols and procedures relating to assisting in dispensary activities

dispensary workflow and layout

procedures for controlling accessing and maintaining security of the dispensary

sources of information on common terms and abbreviations used in writing prescriptions

major drug categories

literacy skills to confirm that label information is legible and expressed in plain English

communication methods and systems to operate as part of a team and provide relevant information to a pharmacist and other pharmacy staff as required

dispensary databases and information systems

pricing policy and procedures

dispensary housekeeping checklist and responsibilities

role boundaries and responsibilities of the dispensary assistant in assisting a pharmacist with dispensing activities

customer entitlements to privacy and confidentiality

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

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

Evidence of the following is essential

applies pharmacy protocols and procedures when assisting with dispensary operations including

selecting and assembling medicines to meet prescription requirements

labelling and packaging dispensed items according to procedure and pharmacist direction

maintaining customer and prescription data

identifying situations or requests requiring referral to a pharmacist and referring appropriately

respects and protects customer privacy when communicating with customers and maintaining customer records

locates relevant information such as common abbreviations and terms used in writing prescriptions

recognises situations requiring referral to a pharmacist or other pharmacy staff according to pharmacy policy

maintains housekeeping standards in the dispensary

plans and carries out work to meet dispensary workflow requirements

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure

demonstration of dispensing activities over a period of time

performance is observed by the assessor or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor

assessment must be undertaken in a real workplace environment that meets Pharmacy Board and relevant industry standards for dispensary operations

access to relevant pharmacy protocols and procedures

access to state or territory legislation and guidelines where appropriate

access to dispensary recordkeeping systems

access to relevant documentation such as prescriptions real or simulated

access to a range of customers with different requirements real or simulated

access to a range of medicines and related equipment

Methods 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 workplace performing a range of dispensing tasks over sufficient time to demonstrate handling of a range of contingencies

written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding

evidence that completion of workplace documentation and records relevant to compounding operations is timely and accurate

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

Assessing employability skills

Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically in the context of the job role and with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification

Assisting in dispensary operations must comply with:

Scope and boundaries of roles and responsibilities must comply with:

Common terms and abbreviations used in prescription writing refers to:

Dispensarylayout and workflow may include:

Details requiring pharmacist attention may include:

Selection of prescribed medicines may include:

Attach labels requires:

Label information may include:

Maintain dispensary systems and records may include: