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

SIRCQUA401 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Coordinate a pharmacy quality system

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency SIRCQUA401 - Coordinate a pharmacy quality system
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to coordinate a pharmacy’s quality system and procedures. It includes using strategies to actively encourage the team to participate in the quality process, monitoring and reviewing performance, and identifying opportunities for further improvements.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to pharmacy assistants or dispensary assistants responsible for coordinating pharmacy quality and continuous improvement processes and for preparing quality audits. At this level, work will normally be carried out within routine and non-routine methods and procedures, which require planning and evaluation, as well as leadership and guidance of others in a pharmacy team led by a pharmacist.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
Competency Field Quality
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: Coordinate continuous improvement systems and processes.
  • Ensure required quality system procedures and templates are established.
  • Promote a customer focus within the pharmacy.
  • Implement pharmacy systems to engage staff in the quality procedures.
  • Encourage and support individual and team participation in decision-making processes.
  • Communicate continuous improvement processes to individuals and teams.
  • Arrange mentoring and coaching to support continuous improvement processes.
       
Element: Monitor and review performance.
  • Monitor and review progress against quality standards and identify ways in which procedures and operations could be improved.
  • Report all matters relating to the operations manual to the pharmacy owner or manager.
  • Ensure regular reviews of the operations manual are undertaken and maintain records of reviews.
  • Prepare documentation for cyclical external quality audits.
  • Coordinate remedial actions where required in response to external audits.
  • Modify the operations manual when approved.
       
Element: Provide opportunities for further improvement.
  • Implement systems to ensure team members are informed of required quality procedures and service improvements.
  • Document work performance to assist in identifying further opportunities for improvement.
  • Manage records, reports and recommendations for improvement within the pharmacy’s systems and processes.
       


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 key pharmacy quality procedures to encourage continuous improvement

take active steps to implement, monitor and adjust plans, processes and procedures to improve performance

support others to document and implement continuous improvement systems and processes, and to identify and report opportunities for further improvement

coordinate the process for organising, preparing for and responding to an external quality audit.

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 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:

an externally audited pharmacy quality program

an operations manual, including pharmacy protocols and procedures

information on range of merchandise or services

community pharmacy codes of practice, standards and guidelines.

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:

assessment of written reports

observation of presentations

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

review of how the pharmacy’s continuous improvement processes were communicated to individuals and teams

review of documentation of work performance

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of onthejob performance by the candidate.

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:

coach and mentor team members

gain the commitment of individuals and teams to continuous improvement

liaise with the owner or manager on the administration and improvement of the system

communicate with external quality auditors

planning and organising skills to design better ways of working

learning skills to maintain currency on quality system requirements

literacy skills to:

document pharmacy quality procedures

maintain operations manual

record performance against quality benchmarks

technology skills to access systems required by the role

Required knowledge

location and status of pharmacy procedures that respond to pharmacy quality standards

own role boundaries and reporting requirements

principles and techniques associated with continuous improvement systems and processes

pharmacy process for authorising changes to the operations manual

process for organising, preparing for and responding to an external quality audit

quality system record-keeping procedures

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.

Systemsmay include:

email and other communication devices

newsletters and bulletins

pharmacy policies and procedures

staff reward mechanisms

team meetings

web-based communication devices.

Continuous improvement processesmay include:

cyclical internal audits and reviews

application of procedures

workplace, team and individual performance

evaluations and monitoring of effectiveness

implementation of quality systems, such as the Quality Care Pharmacy Program (QCPP)

external audits

modifications and improvements to systems, processes, services and products

policies and procedures that allow the pharmacy to systematically review and improve the quality of its products, services and procedures

seeking and considering feedback from a range of stakeholders.

Mentoring and coachingmay include:

providing assistance with problem solving

providing feedback, support and encouragement

teaching another member of the team, usually focusing on a specific work task or skill.

Quality standardsmay include:

compliance with legal and professional standards

supply of medicines, medical devices and poisons

delivery of health programs and services

advertising and promotions

pharmacy premises and equipment

operating an effective and profitable business

complying with and improving the quality program

requirements for pharmacy stock and services

ordering, receiving, pricing and storing stock

hiring equipment

customer service

employing staff

inducting staff

managing staff

ongoing staff training

dismissals and resignations

maintaining safety and security

information technology.

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
Ensure required quality system procedures and templates are established. 
Promote a customer focus within the pharmacy. 
Implement pharmacy systems to engage staff in the quality procedures. 
Encourage and support individual and team participation in decision-making processes. 
Communicate continuous improvement processes to individuals and teams. 
Arrange mentoring and coaching to support continuous improvement processes. 
Monitor and review progress against quality standards and identify ways in which procedures and operations could be improved. 
Report all matters relating to the operations manual to the pharmacy owner or manager. 
Ensure regular reviews of the operations manual are undertaken and maintain records of reviews. 
Prepare documentation for cyclical external quality audits. 
Coordinate remedial actions where required in response to external audits. 
Modify the operations manual when approved. 
Implement systems to ensure team members are informed of required quality procedures and service improvements. 
Document work performance to assist in identifying further opportunities for improvement. 
Manage records, reports and recommendations for improvement within the pharmacy’s systems and processes. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SIRCQUA401 - Coordinate a pharmacy quality system
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:

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Assessment Record Sheet

SIRCQUA401 - Coordinate a pharmacy quality system

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: