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.
Patient detailsmay include:
address
allergies
any other contact
body weight
concessional entitlements
date of birth
home telephone or mobile number
name
Medicare number.
Prescription detailsmay include:
advised substitution options
authority approval
date
doctor’s signature
prescription requirements
controlled drug requirements.
Prescription may include:
PBS prescriptions
private prescriptions
electronic or hard copy format.
Patient recordmay include:
dispensing history for consistency of treatment
evidence of misuse
interactions with other medications
labels
repeats.
Cautionary and advisory labelsmay include:
warning against undesirable effects, including interactions with other medicines or foods
being designed to maximise efficacy in the use of medications.
Important informationmay include:
batch number
expiry date
name
strength.

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:
check patient details and prescription details to verify that prescriptions are complete and valid
enter prescription information and use dispensary software for a range of dispensing tasks
refer to pharmacist to check patient record for each prescription
follow dispensary procedures to assemble, label and check prescribed items
plan and carry out dispensing tasks to meet dispensary workflow requirements
recognise and act on software alerts or respond to other contingencies by referring to the pharmacist.
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 client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the pharmacy.
Assessment must ensure access to:
pharmacy dispensary policies and procedures
a dispensary software system
a range of real or simulated customer prescriptions with different requirements
a range of Pharmacist Only Medicines and related dispensing equipment.
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 dispensary:
assisting a dispensing pharmacist by performing a range of dispensing tasks, over sufficient time to demonstrate handling of a range of contingencies
using dispensary software
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 of on-the-job performance assisting with dispensary operations.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.