Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to gather information about customer needs, and provide suggestions and information on commonly-requested Pharmacy Medicines (S2) and unscheduled vitamins, minerals and supplements. It requires the ability to identify and act on triggers for referral to a pharmacist for therapeutic advice and supply of Pharmacist Only Medicines (S3).
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.
This unit incorporates the requirement for pharmacy assistants to comply with federal, state and territory law and Pharmacy Board of Australia Guidelines for supplying scheduled Pharmacy Medicines (S2) and Pharmacist Only Medicines (S3). At the time of publication, they are not, however, required to hold an occupational licence or to be certified as competent in this unit to supply scheduled medicines.
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. Collect information about customer vitamin, mineral and supplement needs. | 1.1.Approach and question customer according to pharmacy protocol. 1.2.Use questions and actively listen to determine who will be using the product and relevant symptoms, duration and severity of the condition. 1.3.Determine customer satisfaction with products previously used. 1.4.Identify any other health conditions and prescribed medications. 1.5.Follow pharmacy procedures to respect and protect customer privacy. |
2. Assess customer information and determine need for referral. | 2.1.Recognise and act on information that requires referral to the pharmacist. 2.2.Recognise and act on information that indicates the potential for better customer outcomes with Pharmacist Only Medicines (S3). 2.3.Provide clear summary of customer information to pharmacist when referral is required. 2.4.Monitor pharmacist consultation and finalise interaction with customer according to pharmacy procedures. |
3. Provide product, self-care and lifestyle information. | 3.1.Select and suggest Pharmacy Medicines (S2) or unscheduled medicines and products suited to customer needs within scope of own knowledge. 3.2.Identify and use opportunities to suggest additional products relevant to customer needs. 3.3.Interpret and clearly explain manufacturer product information and confirm customer understanding of directions for product use. 3.4.Offer current and accurate information from recognised sources on related lifestyle and self-care practices. 3.5.Provide customers with information on specialist nutrition services. |
4. Maintain and develop knowledge of vitamins, minerals and supplements. | 4.1.Identify and use opportunities to maintain and develop product and health condition knowledge using recognised sources of information. 4.2.Check regularly for new additions or changes to range. 4.3.Use product information to update knowledge of product application and directions for use. |
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:
recognise and respond appropriately to three product or symptom-based requests for vitamin, mineral and supplement products that require referral
suggest suitable vitamin, mineral and supplements products for six customers presenting with different needs
provide directions for product use and other information on lifestyle and self-care practices for each of the above customers
recommend as appropriate to customer needs, across the product suite, a mix of:
unscheduled medicines and products
Pharmacy Medicines (S2)
respond to the needs of each of the following customer types:
adults of both genders
the elderly
children.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
basic aspects of these common causes of vitamin and mineral deficiency:
accidents and illness
excessive alcohol consumption
excessive use of laxatives
food allergies resulting in the omission of important food groups
inadequate or fad diets
lack of sunlight
overuse of convenience foods
poor food storage
pregnancy and lactation
regular athletic performance
regular consumption of overcooked food
key terminology, jargon and common abbreviations for the:
diet-related health conditions
commonly requested vitamins, minerals and supplements
overview of pharmacy product range of vitamins, minerals and supplements; Pharmacy Medicines (S2) and unscheduled medicines and products:
location
which products in the range are Pharmacist Only Medicines (S3)
different types of commonly requested products and their use, their side effects and interactions that may contraindicate their use:
vitamins:
A (Retinol-Carotene)
B-complex group
B9 (Folic Acid)
C (Ascorbic Acid)
D (Calciferol-Viosterol-Ergosterol)
E (Tocopherol)
K (Menadione)
minerals:
calcium
chromium
iodine
iron
magnesium
potassium
phosphorous
selenium
sodium
zinc
supplements:
fish oil
glucosamine
recognised and credible 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
medicines databases
pharmacy manuals
reputable health education internet sites
government and not-for profit organisations
organisational procedures for supplying vitamins, minerals and supplements
sources of specialist advice on nutrition for referral purposes.
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
pharmacy display and storage locations, shelf facings and signage for unscheduled products and Pharmacy Medicines (S2)
a diverse commercial product range of vitamins, minerals and supplements as listed in the Knowledge Evidence
customer brochures and leaflets on lifestyle and self-care practices
organisational procedures for supplying vitamins, minerals and supplements
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: | calculate dosage and quantity requirements. |
Technology skills to: | use online information systems to search for information. |
Sectors
Community Pharmacy
Competency Field
Pharmacy Product Advice