Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 7:44 AM AWST
22/07/2026 7:44 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.
Assist in dispensary administration
Assist in dispensary administration
Unit of competency
National Code
SIRCDIS405
SIRCDIS405
State Code
WD888
WD888
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
10/08/2012
Field of Education
060501 - Pharmacy
Original Release Date
10/08/2012
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to assist the pharmacist by completing administration tasks within a community pharmacy dispensary.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Perform general administrative tasks.
- 1.1.Complete administrative tasks using dispensary systems and following established procedures.
- 1.2.Maintain supplies of consumable items.
- 1.3.Maintain safe, uncluttered and hygienic dispensary work and storage areas.
2. Maintain the dispensary computer system.
- 2.1.Perform routine computer maintenance.
- 2.2.Regularly update dispensing system data to ensure its accuracy and currency.
- 2.3.Generate dispensary reports as needed.
- 2.4.Inform pharmacist in charge of changes to the data stored in the dispensary information system.
- 2.5.Maintain confidentiality of dispensary information where required.
3. Prepare PBS claims.
- 3.1.Close off at regular intervals claim period for prescriptions, as directed by the supervising pharmacist and to meet Medicare Australia and PBS claim reimbursement timelines.
- 3.2.Check prescription forms to ensure they have been signed and dated by the patient or agent.
- 3.3.Ensure required PBS claims information has been included on each item being claimed.
- 3.4.Collate prescriptions into patient groups.
- 3.5.Check serial numbers and refer missing serial numbers to the pharmacist in charge.
- 3.6.Refer completed hard and soft copy claims data to pharmacist in charge for sign-off, and forward to Medicare Australia.
4. Reconcile Medicare Australia payments.
- 4.1.Check Medicare Australia payments against data lodged by the pharmacy for the claim period.
- 4.2.Identify out-of-period adjustments from prior claims and refer to pharmacist in charge.
- 4.3.Confirm that payments claimed have been received and refer any outstanding payments to pharmacist in charge.
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.
Routine computer maintenancemay include:
regular data back-up
downloading virus software updates
keeping the dispensing program on the computer system up-to-date
general maintenance.
Dispensary reportsmay include:
clinical reports
financial reports
online claims reports.
Regular intervalsmay include:
weekly
fortnightly
monthly.
Required PBS claims informationmay include:
up-to-date online data for each claims period
prescriptions endorsed, signed and dated by the patient with a sticker or stamp indicating:
serial number for the claim
price claimed for:
elected PBS prescriptions
exceptional PBS prescriptions
RPBS prescriptions
confirmation that the PBS prescription is endorsed
claim for a glass dropper where applicable
any clarification of the prescription to assist Medicare Australia payment processing.
Patient groupsmay include:
prescriptions collated and put into serial number order in patient groups, including:
doctor’s bag
concession
entitlement
general
repatriation.
Routine computer maintenancemay include:
regular data back-up
downloading virus software updates
keeping the dispensing program on the computer system up-to-date
general maintenance.
Dispensary reportsmay include:
clinical reports
financial reports
online claims reports.
Regular intervalsmay include:
weekly
fortnightly
monthly.
Required PBS claims informationmay include:
up-to-date online data for each claims period
prescriptions endorsed, signed and dated by the patient with a sticker or stamp indicating:
serial number for the claim
price claimed for:
elected PBS prescriptions
exceptional PBS prescriptions
RPBS prescriptions
confirmation that the PBS prescription is endorsed
claim for a glass dropper where applicable
any clarification of the prescription to assist Medicare Australia payment processing.
Patient groupsmay include:
prescriptions collated and put into serial number order in patient groups, including:
doctor’s bag
concession
entitlement
general
repatriation.
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:
plan and perform general administration tasks as directed by the pharmacist in charge
perform routine computer maintenance and update dispensary system information
prepare PBS claims for signing by the pharmacist in charge
reconcile Medicare Australia payments and report anomalies to the pharmacist in charge.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure that competency is:
consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor as described in the assessment
demonstrated in a real workplace environment that meets Pharmacy Board of Australia and relevant industry standards for dispensary operations, which may include interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the pharmacy dispensary area.
Assessment must ensure access to:
relevant dispensary procedures
relevant codes of practice or guidelines
dispensary information systems
relevant PBS claims documentation.
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 learner:
performing a range of dispensary administration tasks over sufficient time to demonstrate handling of a range of contingencies
using dispensary information systems
written or oral questions appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner to test relevant underpinning knowledge
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector and job role is recommended.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
plan and perform general administration tasks as directed by the pharmacist in charge
perform routine computer maintenance and update dispensary system information
prepare PBS claims for signing by the pharmacist in charge
reconcile Medicare Australia payments and report anomalies to the pharmacist in charge.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure that competency is:
consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor as described in the assessment
demonstrated in a real workplace environment that meets Pharmacy Board of Australia and relevant industry standards for dispensary operations, which may include interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the pharmacy dispensary area.
Assessment must ensure access to:
relevant dispensary procedures
relevant codes of practice or guidelines
dispensary information systems
relevant PBS claims documentation.
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 learner:
performing a range of dispensary administration tasks over sufficient time to demonstrate handling of a range of contingencies
using dispensary information systems
written or oral questions appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner to test relevant underpinning knowledge
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector and job role is recommended.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWX79 | SIRCDIS007 | Administer dispensary computer systems and claims | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J149 | SIR40112 | Certificate IV in Community Pharmacy | Qualification |