Elements and Performance Criteria

Different menstruum may include:
Water
Vinegar
Wine
Alcohol
Ether
Glycerol
Oil

Various types of herbal medicines may include:
Creams
Capsules
Emulsions
Ointments
Suppositories
Tinctures
Extracts

Equipment may include:
Measuring instruments
Percolator, press and blender
Containers
Scoops
Labeller

Manufacturing instructions may include:
Organisational procedures
Licensing requirements
Legislative requirements and industrial arrangements
Herbal medicine manufacturing instructions
Hygiene and sanitation standards
Safety procedures

Workplace information may include:
Details of manufacturing and processing undertaken
Stock documentation
Details of person(s) conducting manufacturing
Dispensing information for prescriptions

Critical aspects of assessment:
Demonstrated ability to correctly identify plants in natural and preserved states
Demonstrated ability to describe major features of plants
Demonstrated ability to collect herbs for manufacture
Demonstrated ability to identify and describe actions for a minimum of 130 herbs
Demonstrated ability to prepare herbal medicines for patients in pharmaceutical forms (capsules, emulsions, creams, ointments, suppositories etc)
Demonstrated ability to skilfully extract herbs
Demonstrated ability to correctly preserve and dry plant materials
Demonstrated ability to ensure supply of necessary materials and services to the dispensing process
Demonstrated ability to confirm equipment status and condition
Knowledge of hygiene standards
Demonstrated ability to access workplace information to identify requirements for the dispensing process
Demonstrated ability to implement manufacturing and dispensing process
Demonstrated ability to calculate assay/potency adjustment
Demonstrated ability to measure and segregate materials
Demonstrated ability to pack and label dispensed materials
Demonstrated ability to take corrective action in response to out-of-specification results or non-compliance
Demonstrated ability to sort, collect, treat, recycle or dispose of waste
Demonstrated ability to maintain work area to meet housekeeping standards
Demonstrated ability to verify clearance and cleanliness
Demonstrated ability to record workplace information
Demonstrated ability to monitor the dispensing process and equipment operation to identify out-of-specification results or non-compliance. This may include:
labelling
stock flow/quantity
measuring devices
materials faults
equipment faults
service faults
And may include the ability to:
clean and sanitise equipment
take samples and conduct tests
carry out routine maintenance

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units
Contribute to the control of infection

Underpinning knowledge and skills
Knowledge of non-herbal ingredients used in the preparation of herbal medicines
Knowledge of pharmacology of herbal medicines and pharmaceutical drugs, their classifications, usage and side effects
Knowledge of medical terminology
Knowledge of pharmacodynamics of herbal medicines and pharmaceutical drugs - drug administration, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion
Knowledge of pharmacodynamics of herbal medicines and pharmaceutical drugs and the theory of drug action; factors modifying drug effect and dosage; drug toxicity and toxicology
Knowledge of drug abuse - signs, consequences, treatment; community resources available, in particular those with emphasis on drug-related problems
Knowledge of drug use in pregnancy, specific diseases and disorders of each system of the body
Knowledge of internal preparations - culinary plants, common herbal teas, medicinal preparations eg biochemic and bioenergetic remedies, cold extracts, cordials, decoctions, essences, herbal, honeys, homeopathic remedies, infusions, methaglyns, nutritional supplements, oxymels, powders, spagyric technique, succus, syrups, tinctures
Knowledge of chemical and physical incompatibilities
Knowledge of external therapy products - both medicinal and domestic eg baths, bath oils, creams, dyes, fomentations, incenses, aromatherapy products, compresses, ointments, perfumes, pomanders, potpourri, poultices, sachets, salves
Knowledge of prescription of medicines - legal restrictions, therapeutic goods administration, health and safety, labeling requirements, scheduled herbs, principles of manufacturing remedies, testing of natural therapy products
Knowledge of dispensing procedures
Knowledge of major herbal medicines with respect to their use for general symptoms, psychological and physiological indications
Knowledge of minor herbal medicines in respect to their most important indications
Knowledge of groups of medicines and how to distinguish between them according to actions, active constituents, body systems and plant families
Knowledge of clinical indications of medicines relevant to specific circumstances eg infectious diseases, First Aid and injuries
Knowledge of purpose and basic principles of the dispensing process
Knowledge of identification and application of good manufacturing practice and standard operating procedures
Knowledge of types and characteristics of manufacturing raw materials
Knowledge of legislative requirements in dispensing herbal products
Knowledge of handling requirements for dangerous goods
Knowledge of purpose and requirements of raw materials segregation
Knowledge of how the dispensing process affects the end product
Knowledge of quality characteristics to be achieved
Knowledge of process specifications, procedures and operating parameters
Knowledge of equipment and instrumentation components, purpose and operation
Knowledge of significance and methods of monitoring control points within the dispensing process
Knowledge of common causes of variation and corrective action required
Knowledge of OHS hazards and controls
Knowledge of waste handling requirements and procedures
Knowledge of recording requirements and procedures

Resource implications
Resource requirements may include:
An appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment
Manufacturing and dispensing resources
Relevant texts or medical manuals
Relevant paper-based/video assessment instruments
Appropriate assessment environment
Skilled assessors

Method of assessment
Assessment may include:
Practical demonstration
Simulations
Explanations of technique
Oral questioning and discussion
Case studies and scenarios

Context of assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace and under the normal range of work conditions. Assessment may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations.