SIRCPPA012
Assist customers with asthma-care aids and equipment


Application

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to gather information about customer needs, and provide suggestions and information on asthma-care aids and equipment. It requires the ability to identify and act on triggers for referral to a pharmacist for therapeutic advice or supply of scheduled asthma medicines.

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.


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 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 asthma triggers, symptoms, duration and severity of the condition.

1.3.Determine customer satisfaction with products previously used.

1.4.Check if customer is using an asthma action plan.

1.5.Identify any other health conditions and prescribed medications.

1.6.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.Provide clear summary of customer information to pharmacist when referral is required.

2.3.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 asthma-care aids and equipment 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.Explain and demonstrate use, care and maintenance of aids and equipment.

3.4.Offer current and accurate information on related lifestyle and self-care practices and specialist support services.

4. Maintain and develop knowledge of asthma management, products and services.

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:

access and interpret information about asthma and specialist support services from two different sources

recognise and respond to three different asthma-related situations that require referral to a pharmacist

suggest suitable asthma-care aids and equipment for six customers presenting with different needs that individually or cumulatively include the need for:

spacer devices

nebulisers

masks for adults and children

peak flow meters

provide directions for product use and other information on lifestyle, self-care practices and specialist support services for each of the above customers

respond to the needs 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:

groups at risk of asthma

common symptoms of asthma and related conditions

physiological effects of asthma on the body, at a basic level of understanding

common triggers that can contribute to or exacerbate asthma and methods of self-care

content and use of asthma management plans

key terminology, jargon and common abbreviations relevant to asthma management, for:

health conditions

products used to assist

overview of pharmacy product range of asthma-care aids and equipment:

location

different types and their features, uses care and maintenance

spacer devices

nebulisers

masks for adults and children

peak flow meters

recognised sources and format of product, lifestyle and self-care information:

manufacturer product support materials:

product leaflets, brochures, booklets

internet sites

health-care fact sheets

industry and professional publications

pharmacy manuals

reputable health education internet sites

government and not-for profit organisations:

Asthma Council of Australia

Asthma Foundation

organisational procedures for supplying asthma related products.


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 asthma-care aids and equipment

a diverse, comprehensive and commercial range of asthma-care aids and equipment:

spacer devices

nebulisers

masks for adults and children

peak flow meters

customer brochures and leaflets providing information on:

directions for use, care and maintenance of aids and equipment

lifestyle and self-care practices

specialist services that support asthma management

organisational procedures for supplying asthma related products

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.

Technology skills to:

use online information systems to search for information.


Sectors

Community Pharmacy


Competency Field

Pharmacy Product Advice