Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. 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) may also be included.
Pharmacy protocols and procedures may include:
interacting with the customer to establish:
who the product or service is for
symptoms
duration of symptoms
other existing health conditions
blood pressure medications being used by the customer
cold and flu medications currently being used
customer level of physical activity immediately before presenting for testing
caffeinated drinks consumed immediately before presenting for testing
assessing:
customer responses to questions
own confidence that the product or service requested by the customer or envisaged by the pharmacy assistant is right for the customer’s symptoms.
Customer requirements may include:
a single blood pressure test
home testing equipment
regular blood pressure monitoring at intervals advised by a doctor.
Triggers for referral to a pharmacist may include:
customer who is:
a child under 2
an aged person
pregnant or breastfeeding
taking other medicines
customer who has:
had the complaint for some time
other health conditions, such as asthma and diabetes
used the product before but is not satisfied with its efficacy
customer appears to be:
sick
angry
confused
dissatisfied
uncertain
under the influence of drugs or alcohol
pharmacy assistant is unsure and needs confirmation of the medicine selected, even if the product has been requested by name
request for Pharmacist Only Medicine.
Customermay include people:
from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying mental and physical abilities
visiting the pharmacy, contacting the pharmacy by phone, or in their own home
with special needs, such as:
the elderly
infants
who are:
drug or alcohol affected
emotionally unstable
mentally unstable
physically unwell.
Blood pressure testing instrument may include:
mercury (aneroid) sphygmomanometer
electronic digital sphygmomanometer.
Pharmacy blood pressure testing record may include:
pharmacy identification and telephone number
a customer copy and duplicate pharmacy file copy with the following minimum content:
customer’s name and address
date of test
blood pressure measurement, including systolic blood pressure over diastolic blood pressure
pulse
indication that the reading suggests:
level is within normal limits
level is above normal range on this occasion and warrants customer consultation with a doctor to have blood pressure checked
level is very high on this occasion and an immediate doctor consultation is strongly recommended
pharmacist authorisation signature
relevant notes regarding individual customer circumstances that may have impacted on the reading, such as:
being upset
being in a rush.
Use, care and maintenance may include:
attaching cuff line to machine
checking machine calibration
cleaning and storing machine and cuff attachment
demonstrating use of:
on and off switch
start switch
interpreting the screen display, including:
systolic blood pressure reading
diastolic blood pressure reading
pulse
locating and attaching cuff to patient’s arm
replacing battery
taking a test reading.
Self-testing strategiesmay include:
avoiding the following behaviour that can cause blood pressure to rise in the two hours before taking the reading:
drinking caffeinated drinks, such as tea, coffee or cola
smoking
being relaxed and comfortable when taking a reading by:
selecting a comfortable place without distractions, such as TV or music
relaxing for at least five minutes before taking the reading
developing a good technique for attaching the cuff
following machine instruction steps
standing for at least two minutes before testing, when doctor requests a reading while standing
where possible, measuring blood pressure under the same conditions, at about the same time of day, in the same manner each time
taking at least two readings on each occasion.
Personal blood pressure record chart may include:
date and time
comments that may be useful to the doctor, such as just woke up, resting, taken medication, etc.
pulse
diastolic blood pressure
systolic blood pressure.
Conditions relating to supply may include:
federal and state or territory legislation
industry codes of practice, standards and guidelines
pharmacy protocols and procedures relating to the sale of blood pressure medicines and products, aids and equipment.
Relevant sources may include:
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) website and phone line
pharmacist
manufacturer information
self-care and health-care information
product brochures and leaflets supplied by a pharmacist
website of support organisations, such as Heart Foundation.
Lifestyle and self-care practices may include:
achieving or maintaining ideal body weight
being physically active
carrying a list of medicines and doses
decreasing salt intake
limiting alcohol intake
quitting smoking
taking prescribed blood pressure medication at the same time each day
using a weekly pill box.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
demonstrate use, care and maintenance of blood pressure testing equipment to customers
perform blood pressure testing services according to pharmacy protocols and procedures
provide information to customers in ways appropriate to customer needs and demonstrate appropriate techniques to confirm understanding
recognise and act on situations or requests requiring referral to a pharmacist
recommend and sell blood pressure testing equipment to customers
refer to relevant sources of information to assist the customer and maintain personal currency of knowledge.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure that competency is:
observed by the assessor or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor as described in the assessment guidelines
demonstrated across a range of customers over sufficient time to include handling of a range of contingencies
demonstrated in a real or simulated pharmacy environment, which may include customer interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the pharmacy.
Assessment must ensure access to:
a range of real or simulated customers with different requirements
pharmacy protocols and procedures
state or territory legislation and guidelines where appropriate
relevant documentation, such as:
blood pressure testing product and service information
self-care and lifestyle advice.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of the candidate in the workplace:
performing blood pressure testing
demonstrating use, care and maintenance of blood pressure testing equipment to customers
recommending and selling blood pressure testing equipment to a range of customers
advising on lifestyle and self-care practices
written or oral questions appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner to test relevant underpinning knowledge
role plays to confirm communication skills to meet diverse customer requirements
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.