Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:06 AM AWST
22/07/2026 1:06 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 stock control
Assist in dispensary stock control
Unit of competency
National Code
SIRCDIS404
SIRCDIS404
State Code
WD887
WD887
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
10/08/2012
Field of Education
089901 - Purchasing, Warehousing And Distribution
Original Release Date
10/08/2012
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to maintain a dispensary stock control system.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Source and order dispensary stock.
- 1.1.Identify dispensary stock requirements.
- 1.2.Obtain information on stock availability, cost and delivery capacity.
- 1.3.Seek pharmacist approval for stock orders to meet stock maintenance requirements.
- 1.4.Place orders for dispensary items within required timelines.
2. Receive dispensary stock.
- 2.1.Check that cold chain items have maintained their optimum temperature during transport and report unacceptable quality to the pharmacist.
- 2.2.Follow dispensary procedures when handling and storing received dispensary stock.
- 2.3.Inspect stock quantities and quality against order and identify and report order discrepancies or unacceptable quality to pharmacist.
- 2.4.Record and maintain dispensary stock control information.
- 2.5.Label or ticket dispensary stock as required.
- 2.6.Alert a pharmacist to the delivery of controlled drugs.
3. Store dispensary stock.
- 3.1.Identify and follow dispensary product layout when placing stock on shelves or storage locations.
- 3.2.Monitor and maintain storage conditions to ensure product integrity and to meet legal requirements.
- 3.3.Apply product security procedures.
4. Assist in controlling dispensary stock levels.
- 4.1.Identify and confirm working stock levels with pharmacist.
- 4.2.Implement dispensary stock control procedures.
- 4.3.Implement stocktaking procedures.
- 4.4.Investigate, resolve and report on stock discrepancies.
5. Collect and dispose of dispensary stock waste.
- 5.1.Label and report expired, damaged or returned stock to a pharmacist.
- 5.2.Sort waste and seek pharmacist approval to reject out-of-date, damaged or excess dispensary stock items, according to dispensary procedures.
- 5.3.Handle and dispose of dispensary stock and waste under pharmacist supervision and according to dispensary procedures.
- 5.4.Update dispensary stock records following disposal.
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.
Dispensary stock may include:
scheduled products
products requiring special handling, e.g.refrigerated stock
raw materials for compounding.
Dispensary procedures may include:
cold chain requirements
dispensary access
dispensary housekeeping checklist and personal responsibilities
identification and handling of products
maintaining security of dispensary stock
ordering and receiving dispensary stock
work health and safety (WHS) in the dispensary
performing dispensary stocktakes
product return and recall
waste handling, sorting and disposal.
Storage conditions may include:
location
cold chain requirements
temperature, humidity, light and security
ventilation
storage of hazardous substances.
Dispensary stock control procedures may include:
maintaining storage conditions
rotating dispensary stock
keeping dispensary stock undamaged
monitoring expiry dates
assisting in dispensary stock selection
maintaining current shelf labels
maintaining stock levels within budget.
Dispose may include:
returning to supplier
safe destruction according to pharmacy policy, legislative requirements and environmental protection guidelines
disposal service.
Dispensary stock may include:
scheduled products
products requiring special handling, e.g.refrigerated stock
raw materials for compounding.
Dispensary procedures may include:
cold chain requirements
dispensary access
dispensary housekeeping checklist and personal responsibilities
identification and handling of products
maintaining security of dispensary stock
ordering and receiving dispensary stock
work health and safety (WHS) in the dispensary
performing dispensary stocktakes
product return and recall
waste handling, sorting and disposal.
Storage conditions may include:
location
cold chain requirements
temperature, humidity, light and security
ventilation
storage of hazardous substances.
Dispensary stock control procedures may include:
maintaining storage conditions
rotating dispensary stock
keeping dispensary stock undamaged
monitoring expiry dates
assisting in dispensary stock selection
maintaining current shelf labels
maintaining stock levels within budget.
Dispose may include:
returning to supplier
safe destruction according to pharmacy policy, legislative requirements and environmental protection guidelines
disposal service.
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 carry out work to meet dispensary stock control requirements
apply pharmacy procedures and codes of practice in regard to dispensary stock control
follow contingency control procedures, including procedures for returning pharmacy products to supplier or manufacturer and procedures for returning unwanted medicines from customer to pharmacy
recognise and act on situations requiring referral to a pharmacist
maintain housekeeping standards in the dispensary stores area.
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 pharmacy procedures
relevant codes of practice or guidelines
dispensary stock control recordkeeping systems
relevant documentation, such as:
purchase orders
invoices and statements
packing slips
credit slips
standing orders
electronic data interchange (EDI) forms
a range of medicines and related equipment
storage capacity appropriate to a dispensary.
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 stock control tasks over sufficient time to demonstrate handling of a range of contingencies
storing and handling a range of items, including scheduled items requiring storage in secure areas and items with special handling and storage requirements
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, salon 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 carry out work to meet dispensary stock control requirements
apply pharmacy procedures and codes of practice in regard to dispensary stock control
follow contingency control procedures, including procedures for returning pharmacy products to supplier or manufacturer and procedures for returning unwanted medicines from customer to pharmacy
recognise and act on situations requiring referral to a pharmacist
maintain housekeeping standards in the dispensary stores area.
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 pharmacy procedures
relevant codes of practice or guidelines
dispensary stock control recordkeeping systems
relevant documentation, such as:
purchase orders
invoices and statements
packing slips
credit slips
standing orders
electronic data interchange (EDI) forms
a range of medicines and related equipment
storage capacity appropriate to a dispensary.
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 stock control tasks over sufficient time to demonstrate handling of a range of contingencies
storing and handling a range of items, including scheduled items requiring storage in secure areas and items with special handling and storage requirements
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, salon and job role is recommended.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S6033 | SIRPDIS004A | Assist in dispensary stock control | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWX81 | SIRCDIS006 | Maintain dispensary stock | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J149 | SIR40112 | Certificate IV in Community Pharmacy | Qualification |