Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 7:00 AM AWST
23/07/2026 7:00 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Operate a western herbal medicine dispensary
Operate a western herbal medicine dispensary
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTHER603D
HLTHER603D
State Code
WD162
WD162
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
06/08/2014
Field of Education
061901 - Naturopathy
Original Release Date
06/08/2014
Nominal Hours
80
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to manufacture and dispense herbal treatments and remedies according to western herbal medicine framework
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Identify medicinal plants in their natural and dry state
- 1.1 Recognise all highly poisonous plants in their natural state
- 1.2 Recognise major medicinal plants in their natural state
- 1.3 Recognise properly dried plants organoleptically
- 1.4 Describe the main botanical features of the major medicinal plants
2. Use appropriate guidelines for plant collecting
- 2.1 Collect plants from appropriate locations
- 2.2 Collect suitable parts of plants for medicinal use
- 2.3 Collect plants at correct time (part of the year, day etc)
3. Manufactureherbal medicines according to pharmacy guidelines
- 3.1 Preserve fresh medicinal plants
- 3.2 Correctly dry and store medicinal plants
- 3.3 Extract plant material using different menstruum
- 3.4 Manufacture various types of herbal medicines
4. Operate and monitor the dispensing process
- 4.1 Ensure materials, equipment and work environment are available to meet processing and dispensing requirements
- 4.2 Dispense raw materials according to manufacturing instructions
- 4.3 Monitor out-of-specification product, production process and equipment performance to ensure quality standards are met
- 4.4 Collect, treat, dispose or recycle waste generated by both the process and cleaning procedures according to organisation procedures
- 4.5 Respond appropriately to feedback and complaints
5. Complete documentation
- 5.1 Record workplace information in the appropriate format
- 5.2 Label herbal medicines correctly
RANGE STATEMENT
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.
Different menstruum may include:
Water
Vinegar
Wine
Alcohol
Ether
Glycerol
Oil
Various types of herbal medicines may include:
Creams
Capsules
Emulsions
Ointments
Suppositories
Tinctures
Extracts
Equipment may include:
Measuring instruments
Percolator, press and blender
Containers
Scoops
Labeller
Manufacturing instructions may include:
Organisation procedures
Licensing requirements
Legislative requirements and industrial arrangements
Herbal medicine manufacturing instructions
Hygiene and sanitation standards
Safety procedures
Workplace information may include:
Details of manufacturing and processing undertaken
Stock documentation
Details of person(s) conducting manufacturing
Dispensing information for prescriptions
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.
Different menstruum may include:
Water
Vinegar
Wine
Alcohol
Ether
Glycerol
Oil
Various types of herbal medicines may include:
Creams
Capsules
Emulsions
Ointments
Suppositories
Tinctures
Extracts
Equipment may include:
Measuring instruments
Percolator, press and blender
Containers
Scoops
Labeller
Manufacturing instructions may include:
Organisation procedures
Licensing requirements
Legislative requirements and industrial arrangements
Herbal medicine manufacturing instructions
Hygiene and sanitation standards
Safety procedures
Workplace information may include:
Details of manufacturing and processing undertaken
Stock documentation
Details of person(s) conducting manufacturing
Dispensing information for prescriptions
EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 (defined as a supervised clinic) is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over a range of workplace situations
Assessment may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations
Evidence is required of both knowledge and skills application
Assessment of sole practitioners must include a range of clinical situations and different client groups covering at minimum, age, culture and gender
Assessment of sole practitioners must consider their unique workplace context, including:
interaction with others in the broader professional community as part of the sole practitioner's workplace
scope of practice as detailed in the qualification and component competency units
holistic/integrated assessment including:
working within the practice framework
performing a health assessment
assessing the client
planning treatment
providing treatment
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible
Simulations may be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment, resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Resources essential for assessment include:
an appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment
manufacturing and dispensing resources
relevant texts or medical manuals
relevant paper-based/video assessment instruments
appropriate assessment environment
skilled assessors
Method of assessment
Observation in the work place or practical demonstration
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Questioning
Role play simulation
Explanations of technique
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
Related units:
This unit should be assessed in conjunction with the following related unit:
HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures
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 (defined as a supervised clinic) is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over a range of workplace situations
Assessment may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations
Evidence is required of both knowledge and skills application
Assessment of sole practitioners must include a range of clinical situations and different client groups covering at minimum, age, culture and gender
Assessment of sole practitioners must consider their unique workplace context, including:
interaction with others in the broader professional community as part of the sole practitioner's workplace
scope of practice as detailed in the qualification and component competency units
holistic/integrated assessment including:
working within the practice framework
performing a health assessment
assessing the client
planning treatment
providing treatment
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible
Simulations may be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment, resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Resources essential for assessment include:
an appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment
manufacturing and dispensing resources
relevant texts or medical manuals
relevant paper-based/video assessment instruments
appropriate assessment environment
skilled assessors
Method of assessment
Observation in the work place or practical demonstration
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Questioning
Role play simulation
Explanations of technique
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
Related units:
This unit should be assessed in conjunction with the following related unit:
HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D8273 | HLTHER603C | Operate a western herbal medicine dispensary | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J114 | HLT60512 | Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy | Qualification |
| J112 | HLT60112 | Advanced Diploma of Western Herbal Medicine | Qualification |