This qualification reflects the role of individuals who apply knowledge and skills to provide leadership in the pharmacy team; working relatively autonomously under the broad supervision of the pharmacist. They may also coordinate and supervise others in the workplace. The role involves the use of a broad knowledge base incorporating some theoretical concepts and requires the identification, analysis and evaluation of information from a variety of sources.
The flexible structure of the qualification recognises the diversity of business models that characterise the community pharmacy industry. It supports multiskilling and leading or participating in work teams as appropriate to the size and structure of the business.
Job roles
Individuals with this qualification are able to perform roles, such as:
maintaining store safety and security
coordinating sales and customer service
leading a team
supervising front-of-pharmacy staff
coordinating merchandise and pharmacy presentation
coordinating pharmacy health promotions
providing specialised pharmacy product advice
providing health care support services
assisting a pharmacist in dispensary operations and administration
coordinating stock control requirements for the pharmacy
coordinating the administration of the pharmacy quality program.
Subjects
14 units must be completed:
4 core units
10 elective units:
all 4 units from one of the following elective groups:
Group A Front of Pharmacy Supervision
Group B Health Care Support
Group C Community Pharmacy Dispensary
Group D Stock Control.
the remaining 6 units:
3 must be selected from Group E - General Elective Units
a maximum of 3 units may be selected from SIR07 V3 Retail Services Training Package or another endorsed Training Package or accredited course, provided the units are first packaged at AQF level 4 or 5 in the parent Training Package.
In all cases selection of electives must be guided by the job outcome, local industry requirements and the characteristics of this qualification (as per the AQF descriptors).
This qualification is suitable for an Australian Apprenticeship pathway.
Preferred Pathway
The preferred pathway for candidates entering this qualifications is the:
SIR30112 Certificate III in Community Pharmacy.
Entry Requirements
In the absence of this qualification, the following entry requirements apply.
The candidate must demonstrate employment experience in a community pharmacy setting, demonstrating the following skills:
communicating with customers to identify needs
accepting and delivering prescriptions to and from customers
applying current specialised product knowledge to recommend and supply pharmacy products and services to customers
operating within the legislative framework, regulation and protocols that apply to community pharmacy
recognising and acting on situations or requests that require referral to a pharmacist
creating and maintaining displays
merchandising products and performing stock control.
Licensing Information
All relevant federal, state or territory legislation, Pharmacy Board of Australia Guidelines, and established practice and quality assurance standards are to be met.
Employability Skills
QUALIFICATION SUMMARY
Employability Skill
Industry/enterprise requirements for this qualification include:
Communication
Apply communication skills to provide instruction and feedback, mentor others in the workplace and coordinate customer service. Interact with customers who may be elderly, ill or drug affected, often about highly personal and sensitive matters requiring empathy, tact and confidentiality. Be familiar with technical terms used to describe products and/or used in product and health care information.
Teamwork
Effectively participate in community pharmacy teams, working closely with the pharmacist and other members of the staff team (according to business size). Lead front of pharmacy teams where required in the context of the job role. Mentor workplace procedures and protocols to others, provide leadership and support team members to carry out their role.
Problem-solving
Demonstrate sensitivity to customer needs and concerns, anticipating problems and acting to avoid them where possible. Solve problems within a framework of established business procedures and protocols and with reference to the pharmacist. Respond to staffing and resource issues, investigate and resolve stock discrepancies and respond to customer requests.
Initiative and enterprise
Use initiative in identifying the most appropriate products and services for customers and maintain current knowledge of product range and market trends. Opportunities for initiative and enterprise occur within established business procedures and protocols and with reference to the pharmacist. Those responsible for marketing and merchandising develop and coordinate promotional strategies for community pharmacy products.
Planning and organising
Support the pharmacist in planning and providing a safe and secure work environment and overseeing implementation of work procedures and protocols consistent with legislative, business and customer requirements. Identify and source required resources to support management of sales and customer service. Schedule work activities, coordinate inputs of specialist service providers and ensure that the required resources are available for the staff team to deliver business outcomes.
Self-management
Understand how a personal job role fits into the context of the wider business values and directions. Manage own time and oversee or establish schedules and routines for others in consultation with the pharmacist and/or other staff. Understand the legal context, including the boundaries of the job role and also an awareness of the special requirements for selling medicines and managing scheduled medicines. This involves a detailed understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the pharmacy assistant and how these relate to the role of the pharmacist.
Learning
Identify personal strengths and weaknesses in the context of the job role and recognise how to personally learn best at work. Maintain current knowledge of market trends and products and services that could be sold by the pharmacy. Access a range of sources of information and expertise to update personal knowledge and provide current information to customers. Make current product knowledge available to other team members.
Technology
Update and maintain computerbased information and database systems. Sell a range of health care products including kits, aids and equipment. Understand how these items operate, to assist the customer in appropriate selection depending on their need/capacity, demonstrate safe use and provide information on care and maintenance as appropriate.
