Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

SIRCHCS306 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Advise on complementary medicines

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency SIRCHCS306 - Advise on complementary medicines
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to provide information to customers on products, services and customer self-care practices using complementary medicines, and supply relevant products.
Employability Skills Not applicable.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to community pharmacy employees working as pharmacy assistants or dispensary assistants. Pharmacy assistants work directly with customers providing information on complementary medicines. In situations where customers require referral to a pharmacist for therapeutic advice, or where the supply of Prescription Only Medicines or products is required, the pharmacy assistant gathers information, refers the customer on, and then supports the pharmacist by finalising the supply of medicines and products.A person undertaking this role is required to work under the supervision of a pharmacist.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites SIRCHCS201Support the supply of Pharmacy Medicines and Pharmacist Only Medicines
Competency Field Health Care Support
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities
Slides
PPT
Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Maintain and build own knowledge of complementary medicines.
  • Check regularly for new additions or changes to the pharmacy range of complementary medicines.
  • Ensure that supplier claims and published advertising or research are supported by evidence-based assessment outcomes.
       
Element: Identify customer needs.
  • Follow pharmacy protocols and procedures to identify the customer, customer needs or symptoms, their duration and severity.
  • Determine what complementary medicines and products have been tried and customer satisfaction with their efficacy.
  • Follow pharmacy protocols to identify triggers for referral to a pharmacist.
  • Follow pharmacy procedures to respect and protect customer privacy.
       
Element: Provide information on complementary medicine products and services.
  • Access credible sources of information to provide advice to customers on complementary medicines.
  • Check contraindications on manufacturer’s information and refer to a pharmacist where potential interactions with other medicines are indicated.
  • Recommend complementary medicines and products appropriate to customer symptoms and needs.
  • Provide the customer with information and directions for product use.
  • Identify and act on opportunities to suggest companion products relevant to desired health-care outcomes.
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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

Overview of assessment

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

Evidence of the ability to:

apply knowledge of complementary medicines and products that are appropriate to treat or manage a range of common conditions

apply pharmacy protocols and procedures when supplying complementary medicines and products

follow pharmacy procedures for identifying and acting on triggers for referral to a pharmacist

provide information to customers in ways appropriate to customer needs and demonstrate techniques to confirm understanding

recommend and supply complementary medicines.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure that competency is:

observed by the assessor or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor as described in the assessment guidelines

demonstrated across a range of customers over sufficient time to include handling of a range of contingencies

demonstrated in a real or simulated pharmacy environment, which may include customer interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the pharmacy.

Assessment must ensure access to:

pharmacy protocols and procedures

a range of complementary medicines

pharmacy and companion products

relevant documentation, such as:

information on complementary medicines, companion products health care, and product use

CMI

a range of real or simulated customers with different requirements.

Method 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:

selling complementary medicines, aids and equipment to a range of customers

acting on situations or requests that indicate the need to refer customers to a pharmacist or a more senior colleague

written or oral questions appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner to test relevant underpinning knowledge

role plays to confirm communication skills to meet diverse customer requirements

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance.

Guidance information for assessment

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


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills to:

interact with the customer to:

ask questions to identify and confirm requirements

obtain and provide information

confirm understanding

explain pharmacy complementary medicine services

provide advice on lifestyle, self-care practices, specialist services and practitioners

suggest and supply complementary medicines and products

refer customers to a pharmacist or another staff member

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

use and interpret non-verbal communication

learning skills to source information to develop and maintain currency of knowledge

literacy skills to:

interpret and apply complementary medicine product and self-care information when advising customers

use specialist information and services to support the use of complementary medicines and products

follow pharmacy procedures

planning and organising skills to meet efficient pharmacy customer service timelines

teamwork skills to:

operate as part of a team

provide relevant information and seek information from a pharmacist and other pharmacy staff as required

technology skills to access and use information systems required by the role

Required knowledge

common conditions that may benefit from the use of complementary medicines

commonly requested complementary medicines, their key ingredients, application and modes of action

common side effects of taking complementary medicines, including potential interactions with other medicines

personal role boundaries and responsibilities, and circumstances under which referral to a pharmacist or other pharmacy staff is required

pharmacy protocols and procedures relating to the supply of complementary medicines and products, including:

collecting required information from customers

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

identifying and acting on triggers for referral to a pharmacist

identifying and supplying complementary medicines, information, aids and equipment to meet customer needs

respecting and protecting customer privacy

pharmacy range of complementary medicines and products

principles of evidence-based assessment as they apply to assessing the efficacy of complementary medicines and awareness of credible sources of information on product range

relevant product and health condition terminology

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Evidence-based assessmentmay include:

objective technical methods

clinical testing

sensory analysis by trained panels or by consumers

consumer or market research

published and peer reviewed outcomes.

Customer may include people:

from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying mental and physical abilities

visiting the pharmacy, contacting the pharmacy by phone, or in their own home

with special needs, such as:

the elderly

infants

who are:

drug or alcohol affected

emotionally unstable

mentally unstable

physically unwell.

Complementary medicines and productsmay include:

Dong Quai

essential oils and vaporisers

Echinacea

Ginger

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginseng-Panax and Siberian

glucosamine

Guarana

probiotics

Saw Palmetto

St John’s Wort

Valerian.

Triggers for referral to a pharmacist must include:

customer who is:

a child under 2

an aged person

pregnant or breastfeeding

taking other medicines

customer who has:

had the complaint for some time

other health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure

used the product before but is not satisfied with its efficacy

customer appears to be:

sick

angry

confused

dissatisfied

uncertain

under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Check regularly for new additions or changes to the pharmacy range of complementary medicines. 
Ensure that supplier claims and published advertising or research are supported by evidence-based assessment outcomes. 
Follow pharmacy protocols and procedures to identify the customer, customer needs or symptoms, their duration and severity. 
Determine what complementary medicines and products have been tried and customer satisfaction with their efficacy. 
Follow pharmacy protocols to identify triggers for referral to a pharmacist. 
Follow pharmacy procedures to respect and protect customer privacy. 
Access credible sources of information to provide advice to customers on complementary medicines. 
Check contraindications on manufacturer’s information and refer to a pharmacist where potential interactions with other medicines are indicated. 
Recommend complementary medicines and products appropriate to customer symptoms and needs. 
Provide the customer with information and directions for product use. 
Identify and act on opportunities to suggest companion products relevant to desired health-care outcomes. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SIRCHCS306 - Advise on complementary medicines
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

SIRCHCS306 - Advise on complementary medicines

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: