The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:

The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills

Observation of performance in the workplace or a simulated workplace is essential for assessment of this unit

Assessment must contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of workplace situations

Evidence of workplace performance over time and covering a range of workplace situations must be obtained to inform a judgement of competence

Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible

Context of and specific resources for assessment:

Resource requirements may include:

Relevant guidelines, standards and procedures

Method of assessment may include:

Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice.

Observation in the work place

Questioning verbal and written

Simulation

Supporting statement of workplace supervisor

Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge

Access and equity considerations:

All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work

All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment

In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Essential knowledge:

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes knowledge of:

Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR) and other medication incidents:

data required for reporting

meaning of ADR

process for reporting

purpose of reporting

Biochemical, haematological and microbiology tests:

purpose of tests

understanding, of the abbreviations used

understanding of the concept of reference range

Client data:

client unit record number

how to ensure client data retrieved is for the correct client

understanding concept of key performance indicators and data reported

understanding of how to identify and access client data

understanding of the concept of reference range

Clinical trials:

purpose of collection of information and the data required

understanding of the importance of maintaining confidentiality/blinding

Law of consent to medical treatment

Legal and ethical requirements and responsibilities related to the pharmacy support worker

Medication reconciliation:

meaning and purpose of medication reconciliation

potential sources of data on medication history and medication management (e.g. hospital records, community pharmacy, patient’s own medications, etc)

Organisation clinical information system

Organisation clinical policies and procedures

Pharmacy or health facility computer system related to the collection and presentation of workplace data and information

Principles and practices of ethical and professional codes of conduct

Principles of privacy and confidentiality in relation to collecting and providing information

Role of the drug information pharmacist or medicines management pharmacist, Quality Use of Medicines Pharmacist, Drug Utilisation Evaluation Pharmacists, Clinical Trial Pharmacists and when to utilise them

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes knowledge of:

Standard references including Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary (APF), MIMs, AMH and Micromedex

Structure and functions of the body systems and associated components, including:

cardiovascular system

cells, tissues and organs

digestive system

endocrine system

integumentary system

lymphatic system

musculo-skeletal system

nervous system

reproductive system

respiratory system

the special senses – smell, taste, vision, equilibrium and hearing

urinary system

Therapeutic drug monitoring:

medicines that require monitoring

purpose of monitoring

understanding of the concept of therapeutic range

Understand the order of referencing i.e. primary, secondary, tertiary references

Understand the concept of Drug Utilisation Evaluation and the data reported

Understand concept of key performance indicators and data reported

Understanding of different medicine groups, including:

analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents

analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents

anti-coagulants

anti-depressants

anti-diabetic agents

anti-epileptics

anti-gout agents

anti-histamines

anti-hypertensives

anxiolytics and hypnotics

asthma treating agents

cholesterol and lip lowering agents

corticosteroids

diuretics

gastro-intestinal agents

heart medicines

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes knowledge of:

Understanding of different medicine groups, including (contd):

hormonal medicines

osteoporosis medicines

viral and anti-bacterial agents, anti-fungals or antibiotics

Understanding of the following factors affecting action of medicine groups:

blood pressure

breast feeding

geriatric

hepatic impairment

paediatric

pregnancy

renal impairment

Understanding of the following terms:

bioavailability

bioequivalence

drug absorption

drug distribution

drug elimination

drug half-life

drug metabolism

Understanding of the concept of drug-drug interactions, drug-food interactions and incompatibilities

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Follow instructions

Complete tasks accurately and efficiently

Identify issues outside scope of practice and refer to the authorised person

Work in accordance with work health and safety, and infection control guidelines related to the collection and presentation of workplace data and information

Work in accordance with relevant organisation policy, legislative requirements, industrial awards and agreements, in-house standard operating procedures (SOPs) and professional practice standards, particularly the Society of Hospital Pharmacists (SHPA) Standards of Practice for Clinical Pharmacy related to the collection and presentation of workplace data and information

This includes the ability to:

Arrange information and present it in a form appropriate for the organisation’s work practices

Comply with legal and ethical requirements and organisation policies and procedures related to the collection and presentation of workplace data and information, including:

demonstrating respect for clients’ rights

meeting requirements for provision of duty of care

working in accordance with legislation relevant to the workplace and specific work functions

Screen biochemical, haematological and microbiological tests for abnormal results and to notify the pharmacist

Source and gather relevant information including:

any preparatory information required for reporting Adverse Drug Reactions and other medication incidents, Drug Utilisation Evaluation, and clinical trials information about medicines

biochemical, haematological and microbiological tests

drug levels

information needed to interpret drug levels

information requested by the pharmacist

organisation clinical policies and procedures

specific client data

Take into account opportunities to address waste minimisation, environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues

Use literacy, written and oral communication skills required to fulfil the position in a safe manner as specified by the health care industry

Use numeracy skills required to accurately interpret and record findings

Use technology to collect and present workplace data and information

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Instructions may include:

By phone

Verbal

Via electronic means

Written

Data and information may include:

Admission information

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

Data for clinical trials

Data for drug utilisation reviews and evaluations (DUE)

Data for reporting Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) and other medication incidents

Key performance indicator data

Laboratory results, including drug levels

Manufacturers instructions

Safety audit data

Sources of data/information may include:

Client medical records

Client medication profiles

Communications technology – facsimile, phone, email

Electronic databases

Manufacturer's instructions

Pharmacy computer system

Workplace computer files

Workplace operating procedures and policies

Checks for completeness and accuracy may include:

Appropriate date and time of laboratory results

Client record number / medicare number / individual healthcare identifiers (IHI) and name

Specific CMI for client’s own medicines or treatment

Specific laboratory results requested

Modes of communication may include:

Power point presentation

Use of spreadsheets, graphs and charts