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 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 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 companion products, aids and equipment relevant to desired health outcomes. 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 on related lifestyle and self-care practices and specialist support services. |
4. Maintain and develop knowledge of diet related conditions, 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 diet-related conditions and specialist support services from two different sources
respond to product and symptom
provide directions for product use and other information on lifestyle, self-care practices and support services for each of the above customers
provide information on:
meal replacement programs
nutritional supplements
vitamins and supplements
recommend as appropriate to customer needs, across the product suite, a mix of:
unscheduled medicines and products
Pharmacy Medicines (S2).
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
common diet, nutrition and weight-related conditions and common symptoms
common lifestyle factors that can contribute to nutrition and weight-related conditions and methods of self-care
indicators of weight-related conditions including body mass index and waist circumference measurements
basic principles of the following within the limits of the Australian Dietary Guidelines:
Australian Guide to Healthy Eating produced by the NHMRC and Australian Department of Health consistent with evidence based approach.
nutritional composition of the five food groups
a balanced diet
good hydration
impact of diet on health within the limits of the Australian Dietary Guidelines :
relationship between diet-related disease and the excessive consumption of saturated fat, sodium and sugar
role of food, nutrients and other important food substances in healthy body function and maintaining a healthy weight
key terminology, jargon and common abbreviations for:
nutrition and weigh-related health conditions
products used to assist
overview of pharmacy product range for nutrition and weight-management:
location
which products in the range are Pharmacist Only Medicines (S3)
features of different types of nutrition and weight-management products:
meal replacement programs
nutritional supplements
vitamins and supplements
aids and equipment used for nutrition and weight-management:
features and uses
care and maintenance
recognised and credible sources and format of product, lifestyle and self-care information:
Australian Dietary Guidelines
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 diet, nutrition and weight-management 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 nutrition and weight-management products
a diverse, commercial range of Pharmacy Medicines (S2) and unscheduled products for nutrition and weight-management:
meal replacement programs
nutritional supplements
vitamins and supplements
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 nutrition and weight-management
organisational procedures for supplying diet, nutrition and weight-management 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 community 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