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 asthma-related 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 asthma-related medicines and products, aids and equipment.


Asthma products may include:
relievers: (bronchodilators) short acting B2 agonists, ipratropium bromide, theophyline
preventers: inhaled corticosteroids, cromoglycate, prednisone, prednisolone
symptom controllers
spacer devices, nebulisers, pressurised aerosols (puffers), masks for adults and children
breath-activated metered dose inhalers or other delivery devices
peak flow meters.


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


Sources of information, specialist services and practitioners may include:
health care information
pharmacy or supplier product leaflets, brochures and manuals
manufacturer information
industry and professional publications
medicines databases
doctors
pharmacist
support organisations
other health care specialists
relevant websites.


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 asthma-related 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
demonstrating use of aids and equipment
applies knowledge of the common symptoms and basic causes of asthma and associated risk factors
applies knowledge of medicine, aids and equipment appropriate to treat or manage asthma conditions
applies knowledge of lifestyle, self-care practices and support services
identifies and refers to specialist sources of information, advice and expertise to assist the customer and maintain currency of knowledge
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 asthma-related 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:
asthma product and service information
self-care and lifestyle advice
access to a range of customers with different requirements (real or simulated)
access to a range of asthma 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 asthma-related medicines, aids and equipment 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.