Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain a pharmaceutical stock control system and distribute pharmaceutical products.
This unit applies to pharmacy assistants and technicians working under the supervision of a pharmacist.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements define the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element |
1. Procure stock | 1.1 Identify items and quantity required for order, according to predetermined minimum and maximum stock levels 1.2 Obtain requisition requirements from authorised personnel 1.3 Source supplier according to organisation procedures and contractual obligations 1.4 Interpret information to identify availability and cost of item and provide information to pharmacist 1.5 Generate and place order following approval by delegated staff member |
2. Process new stock | 2.1 Accept delivery of stock and match delivery documentation with stock delivered 2.2 Check condition of stock and expiry date and report deviations to the appropriate person 2.3 Reconcile stock with order or control lists and report discrepancies to the appropriate person 2.4 Inform pharmacist of medicines with specific recording requirements according to legal requirements and local policy 2.5 Maintain batch traceability 2.6 Accurately complete data capture requirements, including reconciliation of statements and invoices 2.7 Comply with organisation procedures to return stock to supplier |
3. Handle and maintain stock | 3.1 Store stock according to stock storage and rotation requirements 3.2 Maintain conditions to minimise risk of contamination 3.3 Monitor stock 3.4 Monitor and maintain correct storage requirements and report deviations to the appropriate person 3.5 Maintain accurate location maps 3.6 Check security compliance and report irregularities to the appropriate person |
4. Select and pack item order | 4.1 Select and pack items according to order requirements 4.2 Complete data entry requirements associated with processing orders 4.3 Check labelling, specific handling instructions and delivery information for accuracy in line with identified requirements 4.4 Check packaging is completed according to specific instructions |
5. Dispatch orders | 5.1 Check delivery documentation for accuracy and follow requirements 5.2 Implement packaging and handling procedures to ensure the security, integrity, cold chain maintenance and breakage avoidance of delivered goods 5.3 Complete medicine registers and other documentation accurately, as required |
6. Process returned stock | 6.1 Inspect returned products for their expiry date and integrity, and place in designated area 6.2 Place reusable returned stock in appropriate designated area 6.3 Dispose of unusable returned items according to organisation procedure 6.4 Complete inspection documentation accurately and forward for authorisation 6.5 Maintain accurate records and complete credit process in a timely manner |
7. Assist in stocktaking procedures | 7.1 Check stock lists of all items for stocktaking 7.2 Reconcile actual stock against stock lists 7.3 Count stock and check expiry dates 7.4 Identify stock discrepancies and report to the appropriate person 7.5 Determine minimum and maximum stock levels and report to the appropriate person 7.6 Complete and maintain accurate stocktake documentation |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:
followed procurement procedures and accurately completed the task for at least 10 orders
followed stock control and maintenance procedures for pharmaceutical stock
followed workplace distribution procedures for at least 5 batches of pharmaceutical stock
identified issues outside scope of own practice and referred to the authorised person
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:
legal and ethical requirements (national, state/territory) for pharmaceutical stock management, and how these are applied in organisations, including:
codes of conduct
duty of care (and implications of negligence)
privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
records management
rights and responsibilities of workers, employers and clients
specific legislation:
medicines and their use
the practice of pharmacy
different schedules of medicines and pharmaceutical products
work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations
work health and safety
key information in standard pharmaceutical references and their use by pharmacy assistants, including:
Australian pharmaceutical formulary and hand book (APF)
MIMs
Australian medicines handbook (AMH)
Micromedex
product identification and handling, including those for:
formulary medicines and non-formulary medicines
products with the required integrity as well as those whose integrity has been compromised
routine of handling products and products requiring special handling
packaging and transport specifications
principles of procurement of pharmaceutical products including:
central supply systems and tender processes
purpose and process of purchasing contracts
sources of stock, including non-formulary items and Special Access Scheme (SAS) items
sources to determine legitimate receivers of stock
stock ordering processes and systems
storage requirements for different types of stock:
environmental conditions
rotation requirements
principles and procedures of stock control and maintenance including:
input and access of data relevant to stock control
financial implications of stock level control
maintaining security of pharmaceutical products
purpose of batch numbering and expiry dates on pharmaceutical items
procedures for dealing with alerts and company recalls
different methods of disposal of unwanted pharmaceutical products and outdated stock
procedures for dealing with returned stock
infection control principles and their relevance to pharmaceutical stock control
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:
stock reporting and data systems
prescriptions and medication orders
pharmaceutical references
modelling of industry operating conditions, including time constraints for stock control activities
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance. |
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. |