Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to test blood pressure, record readings, recommend appropriate home blood pressure testing equipment and assist customers with blood pressure management information. It requires the ability to identify and act on triggers for referral to a pharmacist for therapeutic advice. The blood pressure testing instrument may be a mercury (aneroid) blood pressure monitor or an electronic digital blood pressure monitor.
This unit applies to pharmacy assistants working in community pharmacies. They work with some independence, under general supervision and guidance from others, but ultimately under the supervising pharmacist.
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Identify customer needs. | 1.1.Follow organisational procedures to respect and protect customer privacy. 1.2.Question and actively listen to confirm customer needs. 1.3.Explain features of initial and repeat blood pressure testing services. 1.4.Identify and act on triggers for referral to pharmacist. |
2. Test blood pressure. | 2.1.Follow organisational procedures for testing blood pressure. 2.2.Explain limitations of single test as accurate indicator and suggest regular monitoring. 2.3.Select quiet and comfortable area and allow customer to relax before testing. 2.4.Select blood pressure testing instrument and appropriate cuff size and clearly explain testing procedure to customer. 2.5.Apply cuff and use testing instrument according to manufacturer instructions to test pulse, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. 2.6.Repeat procedure to check accuracy. 2.7.Read test results, enter accurate and complete information on testing record and refer to pharmacist for verification. 2.8.Provide confirmed record to customer and file copy. |
3. Support use of home blood pressure testing equipment. | 3.1.Follow organisational procedures for supplying home blood pressure testing equipment. 3.2.Identify and recommend equipment appropriate to customer needs and clearly explain its features. 3.3.Demonstrate use, care and maintenance of digital home blood pressure testing equipment and confirm customer understanding. 3.4.Assist customer to identify self-testing strategies to achieve accurate readings. 3.5.Show customer how to keep a blood pressure record. |
4. Provide information and advice on blood pressure management. | 4.1.Encourage customer to take and record regular blood pressure readings and report to their doctor. 4.2.Advise customer to calibrate home testing equipment against doctor’s equipment reading every six months. 4.3.Source, review and provide customers with information on lifestyle, self-care practices and availability of specialist services that support blood pressure management. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:
access and interpret information on blood pressure conditions and specialist support services from two sources
test blood pressure for four different customers
demonstrate, recommend and sell home blood pressure testing equipment to two different customers
for each customer sale, provide information on:
directions for product use
care and maintenance of home blood pressure testing equipment
self-testing strategies to achieve accurate readings at home
format, content and use of customer personal blood pressure records
lifestyle and self-care practices
specialist services that support blood pressure management.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
sources of information on blood pressure conditions and specialist support services:
federal, state or territory government health education internet sites
not for profit health councils
industry and professional publications
product manufacturer health education materials
common symptoms of high and low blood pressure
common lifestyle factors that can contribute to or exacerbate abnormal blood pressure and methods of self-care
meaning of:
systolic blood pressure
diastolic blood pressure
range of normal blood pressure levels
key terminology, jargon and common abbreviations relevant to blood pressure, for:
testing and recording blood pressure levels
pharmacy and home blood pressure testing equipment
pharmacy product range of home blood pressure testing equipment:
location
different types
features and uses
care and maintenance
customer self-testing strategies to achieve accurate readings at home
format, content and use of:
pharmacy blood pressure testing records
customer personal blood pressure records
sources and format of product, lifestyle and self-care information:
manufacturer product support materials:
Consumer Medicines Information (CMI)
product leaflets, brochures, booklets
internet sites
health-care fact sheets
pharmacy manuals
reputable health education internet sites; government and not-for profit organisations
role boundaries and responsibilities of pharmacy assistants, and circumstances which require and trigger referral to a pharmacist
organisational procedures for testing blood pressure and supplying home blood pressure testing equipment:
questions that must be asked to collect information about customer needs
identifying and acting on triggers for referral to a pharmacist
maintaining privacy and confidentiality of customer information
recording and maintaining readings and requirements for pharmacist verification.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in a pharmacy with designated front of pharmacy and dispensary areas. This can be:
an industry workplace
a simulated industry environment.
Assessment must ensure use of:
information technology hardware and software
online information systems
blood pressure monitors
commercial product range of home blood pressure testing equipment
templates for:
pharmacy blood pressure testing records
customer personal blood pressure records
customer brochures and leaflets providing information on:
directions for product use
care and maintenance of equipment
lifestyle and self-care practices
specialist services that support blood pressure management
organisational procedures for testing blood pressure and supplying home monitoring equipment
customers with whom the individual can interact; these can be:
customers in an industry workplace who are served by the individual during the assessment process or
individuals who participate in role plays or simulated activities, set up for the purpose of assessment, in a simulated industry environment operated within a training organisation.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisation’s requirements for assessors, and:
have worked in the pharmacy sector for at least two years.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement. | |
Numeracy skills to: | work with numerical concepts about blood pressure levels and calibration requirements for home blood pressure testing equipment. |
Technology skills to: | use online information systems to search for information. |
Sectors
Community Pharmacy
Competency Field
Health Care Support