HLTPH304C
Maintain pharmaceutical ward or imprest stock

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain pharmaceutical ward or imprest stock, excluding issuing directly to clients, and according to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and within legal requirements

Application

The application of knowledge and skills takes place around standards, guidelines, policies and procedures and under the supervision of a qualified person

Individuals may take responsibility for their own outputs

Work performed requires a range of well developed skills where some discretion and judgement is required


Prerequisites

Not Applicable


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Generate/receive and check stock requisition/imprest list

1.1 Establish needs to replenish stock against specified minimum/maximum levels

1.2 Respond to enquiries from all staff courteously and effectively

1.3 Complete stock checks and print picking list(s) of requisition items

1.4 Check requisition lists for compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and ward/department requirements

1.5 Report deviations to an authorised person in line with organisation/department procedures

2. Select and dispatch stock

2.1 Select requisitioned products and place into appropriate delivery containers

2.2 Complete transaction in pharmacy computer and generate packing slip

2.3 Obtain clearance for the order from an authorised person

2.4 Store and pack completed requisitions within the pharmacy prior to delivery

2.5 Deliver stock to the designated area within the ward/department, according to standard operating procedure and workplace health and safety guideline

2.6 Ensure an authorised person verifies, checks and signs for drugs on receipt where required

2.7 Store stock according to manufacturers' recommended storage conditions

3. Complete and maintain documentation

3.1 Complete manual and electronic documentation according to organisation policies and procedures

3.2 Record manual information and statistics where necessary

3.3 Update imprest lists, based on stock usage and drug inventory changes in liaison with relevant staff

4. Record and collate drug usage

4.1 Collate drug usage information for authorised person and according to standard operating procedures

4.2 Report occurrences or deviations that may impact on stock control to an appropriate person

Required Skills

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:

Basic hygiene and the importance of maintaining a clean working environment and equipment

Common proprietary and generic names

Hospital or health facility in-house computer system

Identification and handling of products, including

formulary drugs and non-formulary drugs eg clinical trial drugs and special access scheme drugs

products with the required integrity as well as those whose integrity has been compromised eg damaged, contaminated or deteriorated stock

routine handling of products and products requiring special handling, eg cytotoxics and its spill management, refrigerated and frozen items, light sensitive materials and flammables

Knowledge of and the rationale for applicable legislation, organisation policy and in-house standard operating procedures (SOPs), relating to maintaining an imprest/ward pharmaceutical store

Knowledge and rationale of auditing policy of the organisation

OHS policies, guidelines and symbols and their relevance to working in a hospital pharmacy

Personal hygiene and the use of protective clothing

Principles and procedures of stock control and maintenance

Principles and procedures of maintaining security of pharmaceutical products

Procedures for dealing with drug alerts and company recalls

Purpose of batch numbering and expiry dates on pharmaceutical products

Purpose of drug usage data generated by requisitions to permit collation for an authorised person

Storage requirements and the rationale for different types of products

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Carry out effective and efficient maintenance of a pharmaceutical imprest system

Communicate effectively with internal and external clients

Refer issues identified outside scope of practice to the appropriate person

Select products accurately

Use technology appropriately e.g. PDE devices

Work in accordance with relevant organisation policy, legislative requirements, industrial awards and agreements and in-house operating procedures (SOPs)

Work in a safe manner

In addition, the candidate must be able 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:

Communicate and interact appropriately with colleagues, health care practitioners and clients

Identify and select correct product with reference to form, dose, strength, brand and quality

Input and access data in pharmacy computer system

Input and access data relating to stock control

Interpret stock usage on a ward and make suggestions for inventory changes

Maintain stock control documentation

Take into account opportunities to address waste minimisation, environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues

Use relevant technology such as portable data entry (PDE) systems

Use literacy, numeracy and oral communication skills required to fulfil the position in a safe manner as specified by the health care facility

Use problem solving skills

Use available resources and prioritise workload

Evidence Required

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 workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace

Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible

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. Acceptable simulation requires:

scope to determine that work is conducted within legislative and regulatory requirements

scope to determine that work is conducted within OHS and infection control requirements

Resources essential for assessment include:

access to relevant workplace or appropriately simulated environment where assessment can take place

relevant legislation, regulations and guidelines

pharmacy imprest system

Method of assessment may include:

Observation in the work place (if possible)

Written assignments/projects

Interviewing and questioning

Formal appraisal systems

Supporting statement of supervisor(s)

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


Range Statement

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.

Stock (products) may include:

Formulary drugs eg clinical trial drugs and special access scheme drugs

Products with the required integrity as well as those whose integrity have been compromised eg damaged, contaminated or deteriorated

Routine handling products and products requiring special handling eg cytotoxics and its spill management, refrigerated and frozen items, light sensitive material and flammables

Storage conditions may include:

Correct temperature

Humidity

Light

Pest control

Secured

Cold chain

Ventilated

Ambient

Isolated

Correct storage of hazardous substances

Ward storage may include:

Cupboard

Trolley

Automated medication distribution system

Special storage ara eg refrigerator a s required for correct storage condition

Medication drawers

Drug safes

Record processes may include:

Manual

Computer based

Print form

Electronic system


Sectors

Not Applicable


Employability Skills

This unit contains Employability Skills


Licensing Information

Not Applicable