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

interpersonal communication skills to

seek approval for stock orders and confirm working stock levels

alert pharmacist to delivery of controlled drugs

report discrepancies unacceptable quality and expired damaged and returned stock through clear and direct communication

ask questions to identify and confirm requirements

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

use and interpret nonverbal communication

apply literacy skills to read and interpret requisition and delivery documentation

apply numeracy skills to support stock taking and reconciliation activities

place orders to maintain required levels

receive and store stock in a timely manner

conduct stocktakes

maintain storage areas to meet good housekeeping requirements

plan and organise work to meet dispensary stock control requirements

The following knowledge must be assessed as part of this unit

pharmacy policies protocols and procedures relating to dispensary stock control including

dispensary access procedures

ordering and receiving dispensary stock

performing a dispensary stocktake

product return and recall procedures

maintaining security of dispensary stock

waste handling sorting and disposal

dispensary layout and storage locations for dispensary items including requirements for storing scheduled medicines

dispensary databases and information systems to support management of supplier information and goods requisition

dispensary housekeeping checklist and responsibilities

OHS and environmental management issues relating to the handling and disposal of dispensary items

role boundaries and responsibilities for maintaining and controlling dispensary stock

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

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 policies standards and guidelines industry legislation and codes of practice in regard to dispensary stock control tasks including

identifying and storing dispensary products

procurement and stocktaking procedures

maintaining storage conditions

locating and storing dispensary products

risk management procedures to minimise selection errors

maintaining stock control records

safe and legal disposal of dispensary waste

follows contingency control procedures including procedures for returning pharmacy products to supplier or manufacturer and procedures for receiving returned goods from customer to pharmacy

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

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

applies OHS practices

maintains housekeeping standards in the dispensary stores area

plans and carries out work to meet dispensary stock control requirements

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure

demonstration of dispensary stock control activities over a period of time

demonstration of storing a range of items including scheduled items requiring storage in secure areas and items with special handling and storage requirements

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

access to a real or simulated workplace environment that meets Pharmacy Board and relevant industry standards for dispensary stock control

access to relevant pharmacy protocols and procedures

access to state or territory legislation and guidelines where appropriate

access to dispensary stock control recordkeeping systems

access to relevant documentation such as

purchase orders

invoices and statements

packing slips

credit slips

standing orders

electronic data interchange EDI forms

access to a range of medicines and related equipment

access to storage equipment and capacity appropriate to a dispensary

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

a qualified workplace assessor or a technical expert working in partnership with the assessor to observe the dispensary assistant performing a range of stock control 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 dispensary stock control 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 stock control must comply with:

Dispensary stock may include:

Storage conditions may include:

Dispensary stock control procedures may include:

Disposal may include:

Disposalprocedures must be performed: