Elements and Performance Criteria

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. Bold italicised wording in the performance criteria is detailed below.

Sale of cough and cold products must comply with:
federal and state or territory legislation
industry codes of practice, standards and guidelines
community pharmacy policies, protocols and procedures relating to the sale of cough and cold medicines.


Cough and cold products may include:
cough suppressant
cough expectorant and mucolytic
sympathomimetic decongestants
analgesics
sedating and non-sedating antihistamines.


Medicines and products may include:
complementary medicines
non-scheduled products
pharmacy medication.


Cough and cold products may come in various forms, including:
liquid
capsules and tablet
inhalants
ointments and rubs
lozenges and capsules
nasal sprays and drops
steam vaporisers.


Sources of information on cough and cold conditions may include:
health care information
pharmacy or supplier product leaflets, brochures and manuals
medicines databases
manufacturer information
industry and professional publications.


Other medications may include:
prescription medicines
pharmacy and pharmacist-only medicines
herbal and vitamin supplements.


Recommendations refer to:
only those medicines not requiring referral to a pharmacist for therapeutic advice. This may include S2 medicines and general (non-scheduled) items
aids and equipment.

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 competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
applies pharmacy protocols and procedures when selling cough and cold medicines, aids and equipment, including:
collecting the required information from customers
identifying situations or requests requiring referral to a pharmacist and refer appropriately
identifying and supplying the relevant medicines, information, aids and equipment to meet customer needs
using appropriate product terminology
applies knowledge of common symptoms or indicators of cough and cold-related conditions
applies knowledge of the common cough and cold-related conditions
applies knowledge of products appropriate to treat common cough and cold conditions
applies knowledge of lifestyle, self-care practices and support services
respects and protects customer privacy when communicating with customers
provides information to customers in ways appropriate to customer needs and demonstrates appropriate techniques to confirm understanding
recognises the situations requiring referral to a pharmacist or other pharmacy staff according to pharmacy policy
plans and carries out work to meet customer service workflow requirements.


Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
demonstration of the sale of cough and cold medicines and products, over sufficient time to demonstrate handling of a range of contingencies
performance is observed by the assessor or a technical expert working in partnership with the assessor.
access to a real or simulated pharmacy environment
access to relevant pharmacy protocols and procedures
access to relevant documentation, such as:
product information
self-care advice
access to a range of customers with different requirements (real or simulated)
access to a range of cough and cold products.


Methods 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 selling cough and cold medicines to a range of customers
written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding
role plays to confirm communication skills to meet diverse customer requirements.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.


Assessing employability skills
Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.
Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically in the context of the job role and with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification.