SIRCPPA015
Assist customers with wound care products


Application

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to gather information about customer needs, and provide suggestions and information on Pharmacy Medicines (S2) and unscheduled wound care products. It requires the ability to identify and act on triggers for referral to a pharmacist for therapeutic advice or 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 wound care 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.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 companion products, aids and equipment relevant to desired health outcomes.

3.3.Interpret and clearly explain manufacturer’s product information and use questioning to 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 and specialist support services.

4. Maintain and develop knowledge of wound care, 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 wounds, wound care, and specialist support services from two different sources

respond to product and symptombased requests for wound care products from 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

provide information on:

analgesics

anti-inflammatory medicines

antiseptic and saline washes

cold and hot packs

skincare products

surgical sundries

wound dressings

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:

common wound types, causes and associated care requirements:

acute wounds caused by:

abrasions

cuts

grazes

lacerations

sprains

strains

chronic wounds including ulcers caused by poor circulation or medical conditions

contusion, bruising and soft tissue injury caused by:

blunt blow

knock or fall

punching

penetrating wounds (puncture) caused by sharp objects

surgical wounds

bites and stings

burns and scalds

basic understanding of anatomical structure of skin and its healing stages and indicators:

inflammatory or defensive stage

reconstruction stage

maturation or remodelling stage

common lifestyle factors that can cause or exacerbate infection and methods of self-care

groups at particular risk of sustaining wounds

groups at risk of infection

signs of infection in wounds

key terminology, jargon and common abbreviations for:

wound types and infectious conditions

medicines and products used to assist

overview of pharmacy product range for wound care:

location

which products in the range are Pharmacist Only Medicines (S3)

different types of wound care products, their use, their side effects and interactions that may contraindicate their use:

analgesics

anti-inflammatory medicines

antiseptic and saline washes

cold and hot packs

skincare products:

skin cleansers

moisturisers

sealants

adhesive removers

surgical sundries

wound dressings:

spray on dressings

gels, granules, pastes and beads

dry dressings

adhesive dressings

low adherent absorbent dressings

medicated bandages

non-stick pads

strapping, bandaging and sports tape

aids and equipment used for wound care:

features and uses

care and maintenance

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

organisational procedures for supplying wound care medicines and products and providing advice on wound care.


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 wound care products

a diverse, commercial product range of Pharmacy Medicines (S2) and unscheduled products for wound care:

analgesics

anti-inflammatory medicines

antiseptic and saline washes

cold and hot packs

skincare products

surgical sundries

wound dressings

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 wound care

organisational procedures for supplying wound care medicines and products and providing advice on wound care

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