This unit applies to work in western herbal medicine |
Not Applicable
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Recognise common herbs for use in individual prescriptions | 1.1 Identify common herbs in natural and processed forms 1.2 Identify common herbs in their dried form 1.3 Source herbs through a reliable supplier |
2. Prepare herbal medicines | 2.1 Identify and prepare pharmaceutical ingredients and equipment 2.2 Prepare medicine according to the guidelines and methodology of herbal medicine 2.3 Prepare medicine according to clinic guidelines 2.4 Take care to prevent contamination of or by the medicine 2.5 Label and store medicine correctly |
3. Dispense the medicine | 3.1 Identify and prepare dispensing ingredients and equipment 3.2 Dispense the required herbal medicine in the form and quantity stipulated by the prescription/order 3.3 Take care to prevent contamination of or by the medicine 3.4 Label medicine correctly 3.5 Provide instructions for taking the medicine to the client 3.6 Identify and explain factors which have an effect on storage 3.7 Dispense medicine according to clinic guidelines 3.8 Respond appropriately to client feedback and complaints |
4. Control stock | 4.1 Obtain required materials from acceptable sources 4.2 Keep the pharmacy well stocked according to clinic guidelines 4.3 Identify factors which have an effect on storage 4.4 Store materials according to clinic guidelines 4.5 Maintain an alcohol register according to State regulations |
5. Complete documentation | 5.1 Record workplace information in the appropriate format 5.2 Label materials correctly |
This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit. |
Essential knowledge: The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role This includes knowledge of: Biochemic and bioenergetic remedies, cold extracts, cordials, decoctions, essences, herbal honeys, infusions, methaglyns, oxymels, powders, spagyric technique, succus, syrups, tinctures Chemical and physical incompatibilities Common causes of variation and corrective action required Culinary plants, common herbal teas, medicinal preparations Equipment and instrumentation components, purpose and operation External therapy products: both medicinal and domestic baths, bath oils, creams, dyes, fomentations, incenses, aromatherapy products, compresses, ointments, perfumes, pomanders, potpourri, poultices Factors that affect herbal medicines in preparation and storage Herbal medicine dispensing principles and methods Herbal medicine pharmacy Herbal medicine preparation from source materials How the dispensing process affects the end product Hygiene standards Internal preparations: Methods of administration for herbal medicines OHS hazards and controls Prescription of medicines: legal restrictions Therapeutic Goods Act health and safety labelling requirements restricted substances principles of manufacturing quality control procedures Process specifications, procedures and operating parameters Quality characteristics to be achieved Recording requirements and procedures continued ... |
Essential knowledge (contd): Significance and methods of monitoring control points within the dispensing process Standards of dispensing procedures The non-medicinal ingredients used in the preparation of herbal medicines The preparation of dispensing media Waste handling requirements and procedures |
Essential skills: It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role This includes the ability to: Access workplace information to identify requirements for the dispensing process Confirm equipment status and condition Confirm supply of necessary materials and services to the dispensing process Correctly identify equipment and ingredients for herbal medicine preparation and dispensing Describe general plant anatomy Describe plant classifications Describe plant nomenclature Dispense medicines in a range of dosages Dispense medicines in accordance with official practice, clinic guidelines and relevant legislation Dispense medicines in accordance with the order/prescription Identify herbal ingredients in raw form and/or natural habitat Identify herbal ingredients in their dried form where appropriate for medicine preparation Identify herbs listed in the range of variables Monitor the dispensing process and equipment operation to identify out-of-specification results or non-compliance, which may include: carry out routine maintenance clean and sanitise equipment equipment faults labelling materials faults measuring devices service faults stock flow/quantity Prepare medicines for clients in pharmaceutical forms eg capsules, emulsions, creams, ointments, suppositories Take corrective action in response to out-of-specification results or non-compliance Take into account opportunities to address waste minimisation, environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues Use botanical keys for plants Utilise general plant identification techniques |
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 Training Package. | |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit: | The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills Observation of performance in the workplace or a simulated workplace (defined as a supervised clinic) is essential for assessment of this unit Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over a range of workplace situations Assessment may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations Evidence is required of both knowledge and skills application Assessment of sole practitioners must include a range of clinical situations and different client groups covering at minimum, age, culture and gender Assessment of sole practitioners must consider their unique workplace context, including: interaction with others in the broader professional community as part of the sole practitioner's workplace scope of practice as detailed in the qualification and component competency units holistic/integrated assessment including: working within the practice framework performing a health assessment assessing the client planning treatment providing treatment |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible Simulations may be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible Resources essential for assessment include: an appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment dispensing resources relevant texts or medical manuals relevant paper-based/video assessment instruments appropriate assessment environment skilled assessors |
Method of assessment | Observation and practical demonstration in the work place (if possible) Written assignments/projects Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice Questioning Role play simulation Explanations of technique |
Access and equity considerations: | All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities |
Related units: | This unit should be assessed in conjunction with the following related unit: HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and 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. Add any 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. | |
Recognition and identification of common herbs means: | For each herbal medicine listed below, the following must be covered: botanical name common name(s) part used known active constituents actions indications cautions contraindications preparation and dosage. |
Common herbs List A: | Achillea millefolium Yarrow, Milfoil Aesculus hippocastanum Horse Chestnut Albizia lebbeck Albizia Allium sativum Garlic Althaea officinalis Marshmallow Angelica archangelica Angelica Apium graveolens Celery Arctium lappa Burdock Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Bearberry Artemisia absinthium Wormwood Avena sativa Oats Baptisia tinctoria Wild indigo Berberis vulgaris Barberry Calendula officinalis Pot Marigold, Calendula Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd's Purse Capsicum minimum Capsicum, cayenne Cassia angustifolia Senna Chamaelirium luteum False Unicorn Root Chelidonium majus Greater celandine Cimicifuga racemosa Black Cohosh Commiphora molmol Myrrh Crataegus oxycantha/C. monogyna Hawthorn Cynara scolymus Globe artichoke continued ... |
Common herbs List A: | Dioscorea villosa Wild Yam Drosera rotundifolia/D. longifolia Sundew Echinacea angustifolia/E. purpurea/E. pallida Echinacea Eleutherococcus senticosus Siberian ginseng Elytrygia repens (previously Agropyron repens) Couch grass Equisetum arvense Horsetail Eupatorium perfoliatum Boneset Euphorbia hirta Asthma Weed Euphrasia officinalis Eye bright Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet Foeniculum vulgare Fennel Fucus vesiculosis Bladderwrack Galega officinalis Goat's rue Galium aparine Clivers Gentiana lutea Gentian Geranium maculatum Cranesbill Ginkgo biloba Ginkgo Glycyrrhiza glabra Licorice Grindelia robusta/G. camporum Grindelia Gymnema sylvestre Gymnema Hamamelis virginiana Witch hazel Hemidesmus indicus Hemidesmus Humulus lupulus Hops Hydrastis canadensis Golden Seal Hypericum perforatum St John's wort Inula helenium Elecampane Iris versicolor Blue flag Lavandula officinalis Lavender Leonurus cardiaca Motherwort Linum usitatissimum Linseed, Flaxseed Lycopus virginicus Bugleweed, Gypsyweed Marrubium vulgare White horehound Matricaria recutita Chamomile Melissa officinalis Lemon balm Mentha x piperita Peppermint Olea europea Olive leaf continued ... |
Common herbs List A: | Panax ginseng Panax Passiflora incarnata Passionflower Phytolacca decandra/P. americana Poke root Piper methysticum Kava kava Piscidia erythrina Jamaican dogwood Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Prunus serotina Wild cherry bark Rhamnus purshiana Cascara Rheum palmatum Rhubarb Rosmarinus officinalis Rosemary Rubus idaeus Raspberry leaf Rumex crispus Yellow dock Salix alba White willow Salvia officinalis Sage Sambucus nigra Elder Scutellaria lateriflora Skullcap Serenoa serrulata/S. repens Saw Palmetto Silybum marianum St Mary's Thistle Solidago virgaurea Golden rod Stellaria media Chickweed Tanacetum parthenium Feverfew Taraxacum officinale folia Dandelion leaves Taraxacum officinale radix Dandelion root Thymus vulgaris Thyme Tilia spp. Lime flower Trifolium pratense Red clover Trigonella foenum-graecum Fenugreek Ulmus rubra Slippery elm Urtica dioica/U. urens Nettle Vaccinium myrtillus Bilberry Valeriana officinalis Valerian Verbascum thapsus Mullein Verbena officinalis Vervain Viburnum opulus Cramp bark Viola odorata Sweet violet Vitex agnus-castus Chaste tree Zanthoxylum clava-herculus/Z. americanum Prickly ash Zea mays Corn silk Zingiber officinale Ginger |
Common herbs List B: | Adhatoda vasica Adhatoda Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Alchemilla vulgaris Lady's mantle Aletris farinosa True unicorn root Allium cepa Onion Aloe spp. Aloe Vera Andrographis paniculata Andrographis Armoracia rusticana Horseradish Anemone pulsatilla (Pulsatilla vulgaris) Pulsatilla Anethum graveolens Dill Angelica polymorpha (previously A. sinensis) Dong quai Arnica montana Arnica Artemisia annua Chinese wormwood Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort Asclepius tuberosa Pleurisy root Asparagus racemosa Shatavari Astragalus membranaceus Astragalus Atractylodes macrocephala Atractylodes Azadirachta indica Neem Bacopa monniera Bacopa Ballota nigra Black horehound Barosma betulina (Agathosma betulina) Buchu Berberis aquifolium Oregon mountain grape Berberis aristata Indian Barberry Betula spp Birch Boswellia serrata Boswellia Bupleurum falcatum Bupleurum Camellia sinensis Green tea Carica papaya Paw paw Carum carvi Caraway Caulophyllum thalictroides Blue cohosh Centella asiatica Gotu Kola Chionanthus virginicus Fringe tree Cinnamomum zeylanicum/C. cassia Cinnamon Citrus reticulata Chen pi Cnicus benedicta Blessed thistle Codonopsis pilosula Codonopsis Cola nitida/C. vera Kola Coleus forskohlii Coleus continued ... |
Common herbs List B: | Corydalis ambigua Corydalis Crataeva nurvala Crataeva Curcuma longa Turmeric Elletaria cardamomum Cardamon Epilobium parviflorum Willow Herb Eschscholzia californica Californian poppy Eucalyptus globulus Eucalyptus Eupatorium purpureum Gravel root Fumaria officinalis Fumitory Harpagophytum procumbens Devil's claw Hedera helix Ivy Hydrangea arborescens Hydrangea Hyssopus officinalis Hyssop Inula racemosa Indian inula Juglans cinerea Butternut Juglans nigra Black walnut Juniperus communis Juniper Lamium album White dead nettle Larrea mexicana Chaparral Leptandra virginica Black root Lomatium dissectum Lomatium Medicago sativa Alfalfa/Lucerne Mentha pulegium Pennyroyal Mitchella repens Squaw vine Myrica cerifera Bayberry Nepeta cataria Catmint Nepeta hederacea Ground Ivy Nymphea odorata White pond lily Oenothera biennis Evening primrose Paeonia lactiflora Peony Panax notoginseng Tienchi Ginseng Papaya carica Paw Paw leaves Parietaria diffusa Pellitory of the wall Petroselinum crispum Parsley Phyllanthus amarus Phyllanthus Picrorrhiza kurroa Picrorrhiza Pimpinella anisum Aniseed Piper longum Long pepper Plantago major Plantain continued ... |
Common herbs List B: | Plantago psyllium/P. ovata Psyllium Pneumus boldus Boldo Polygala tenuifolia Polygala Polygonum bistorta Bistort Polygonum multiflorum Polygonum Populus tremuloides Trembling poplar Poria cocos Hoelen Portulaca oleracea Pigface Quercus robur Oak bark Ranunculus ficaria Pilewort Rehmannia glutinosa Rehmannia Rosa canina Rosehips Rumex acetalosa Sheep's sorrel Ruscus aculeatus Butcher's broom Ruta graveolens Rue Salvia miltiorrhiza Dan Shen Sanguinaria canadensis Blood root Schisandra chinensis Schisandra Scrophularia nodosa Figwort Scutellaria baicalensis Baical skullcap Smilax spp. Sarsaparilla Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet Stachys betonica (Betonica officinalis) Wood betony Stephania tetrandra Stephania Stillingia sylvatica Queen's delight Tabebuia avellanedae Pau D'arco Thuja occidentalis Thuja Tribulus terrestris Tribulus Trillium erectum Beth root Tropaeolum majus Nasturtium Turnera diffusa Damiana Tylophora indica Tylophora Uncaria tomentosa Cat's claw Vaccinium macrocarpon Cranberry Valeriana edulis Mexican valerian Viburnum prunifolium Black haw Vinca major Greater periwinkle continued ... |
Common herbs List B: | Vinca minor Lesser periwinkle Viola tricolor Heartsease Viscum album Mistletoe Withania somnifera Withania Zizyphus jujuba/Z. spinosa Chinese date |
Common herbs List C - Scheduled or Restricted Herbs | Aconitum spp Aconite Acorus calamus Sweet flag Aloysia triphylla Lemon verbena Ammi visnaga Khella Aristolochia spp Aristolochia Atropa belladonna Deadly nightshade Borago officinalis Borage Cannabis sativa Cannabis Cephaelis ipecacuanha Ipecac Cinchona spp Peruvian bark Colchicum autumnale Autumn crocus Convallaria majalis Lily of the valley Datura stramonium Thorn apple Digitalis lanata/D. purpurea Foxglove Ephedra spp. Ephedra, Ma huang Gelsemium sempervirens Yellow jasmine Hyoscyamus niger Henbane Lobelia inflata Indian tobacco Mandragora officinarum Mandrake Melilotus officinalis Sweet clover Papaver somniferum Opium poppy Petasites officinalis Butter burr Pulmonaria officinalis Lungwort Rauwolfia serpentina Indian snake root Sarothamnus scoparius Broom Strychnos nux vomica Poison nut Symphytum officinalis Comfrey Tanacetum vulgare Tansy Tussilago farfara Coltsfoot Urginia maritima Squill |
Pharmaceutical ingredients and equipment may include but are not limited to: | Various raw or prepared herbs Different extraction medium which may include: water vinegar wine alcohol ether glycerol oil Mortar and pestle Clean containers Measuring instruments Percolator, press and blender Containers Scoops Labels Protective clothing |
Guidelines and methodology refers to: | Published methodology in peer reviewed literature and/or official pharmacopœia where appropriate Methodology as described in writing by the prescribing practitioner Legal restrictions Therapeutic Goods Act and regulations Health and safety labelling requirements Methodology specific to preparing herbal medicines eg scheduled herbs, testing of herbal medicines Principles of manufacturing medicines |
Dispensing ingredients and equipmentmay include but is not limited to: | Various raw or prepared herbs Measuring instruments Containers Scoops Labels Protective clothing |
The form of the medicine may include but is not limited to: | Creams Capsules Emulsions Ointments Suppositories Tinctures Extracts Pessaries |
Care is taken to prevent contamination means: | One medicine is dispensed at one time Medicines are made and prepared over an impervious surface Objects that come in contact with the medicine are cleaned or discarded Medicines which come in contact with contaminants are discarded The work space is well ventilated Direct contact between the practitioner and ingredients is avoided |
Clinic guidelines may include: | OHS guidelines Quality system guidelines Dispensing procedure Hygiene and waste guidelines Stock and storage procedures |
Instructions for taking the medicine refer to: | Mode of administration, eg external or internal Frequency of administration Factors which may interfere with the medicine, eg consumption of food, alcohol or tobacco concurrent use of allopathic medications Need to report incidences to the prescribing practitioner |
Acceptable sources includes: | Herbal medicine manufacturers listed in the Therapeutic Goods Administration Overseas manufacturers Collected and prepared from natural sources after ascertaining that the plant material is uncontaminated by pesticides or other contaminants |
Labelled correctly means: | According to legislative guidelines According to clinic requirements |
Factors which may have an effect on the storage may include: | Heat above 50(C Prolonged exposure to heat over 30(C Prolonged exposure to sunlight |
Workplace information may include: | Details of preparation and dispensing undertaken Stock documentation Details of person(s) conducting preparation and dispensing Dispensing information for prescriptions |
Not Applicable
This unit contains Employability Skills |
Not Applicable