SIRCPPA013
Assist customers with smoking cessation products


Application

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to gather information about customer needs, and provide suggestions and information on smoking cessation, products and specialist services. It requires the ability to identify and act on triggers for referral to a pharmacist for therapeutic advice.

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. Collect information about customer smoking cessation needs.

1.1.Approach and question customer according to pharmacy protocol.

1.2.Use questions and actively listen to determine extent of nicotine dependence.

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 nicotine replacement products suited to customer needs within scope of own knowledge.

3.2.Identify and use opportunities to suggest companion products, aids and equipment relevant to desired outcomes.

3.3.Provide customer with clear directions for product use and use questioning to confirm understanding.

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

4. Maintain and develop knowledge of smoking cessation, 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 nicotine dependence, smoking cessation and specialist support services from two different sources

recognise and respond to three different nicotine or smoking cessation-related situations that require referral to a pharmacist

suggest suitable smoking cessation products for three different customers

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


Evidence of Knowledge

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:

common symptoms of smoking-related illness

short and long-term health effects of active and passive smoking

characteristics of nicotine dependence and physiological effects, at a basic level of understanding

common behavioural triggers that contribute to smoking

common barriers to quitting smoking

key terminology, jargon and common abbreviations relevant to smoking cessation, for:

smoking-related health conditions

nicotine replacement products

the potential relationship between smoking cessation and weight management, and the basic features of a healthy diet within the boundaries of the Australian Dietary Guidelines

different types of smoking cessation products, their use, their side effects and interactions that may contraindicate their use:

different forms - gums, patches, lozenges, inhalers, sprays

modes of action, at a basic level of understanding

application

aids and equipment used for smoking cessation:

features and uses

care and maintenance

components of smoking cessation kits

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

industry and professional publications

medicines databases

pharmacy manuals

reputable health education internet sites

government and not-for profit organisations:

Quit

National Tobacco Strategy

role boundaries and responsibilities of pharmacy assistants, and circumstances which require and trigger referral to a pharmacist

organisational procedures for supplying nicotine replacement products and smoking cessation aids:

questions that must be asked to collect information about customer needs

collecting and supplying information to an agent acting on behalf of a customer

identifying and acting on triggers for referral to a pharmacist

maintaining privacy and confidentiality of customer information.


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 nicotine replacement products

a diverse, commercial range of nicotine replacement products

customer brochures and leaflets providing information on:

directions for product use

care and maintenance of aids and equipment

lifestyle and self-care practices

specialist services that support smoking cessation

organisational procedures for supplying nicotine replacement products and smoking cessation aids

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