Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range Statement provides details of the scope of the Elements and Performance Criteria to allow for differences within enterprises and workplaces, including practices, knowledge and requirements. The Range Statement also provides a focus for assessment and relates to the unit as a whole. The following variables may be present but not limited to -

State/Territory/Commonwealth:
legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice, standards and guidelines, pharmacy policies, procedures and protocols in regard to assisting in preparing dose administration containers.

Dose administration and packaging documentation may include but is not limited to:

service contracts

orders/requisitions

relevant records

prescriptions.

Packaging procedures may include but are not limited to:

workflow procedures

personal hygiene and dress code

cleaning, preparing and setting packaging machinery, equipment and/or counting trays

maintaining appropriate storage area.

Packaging materials and products may include but are not limited to:

dosage administration aids/containers

tamper proof dose administration containers

webster - style containers

heat seal or press seal equipment

durable dosette boxes

formulary drugs and non-formulary drugs eg special access scheme drugs

routine handling products and products requiring special handling and/or storage.

Packaging equipment/apparatus may be operated manually or automatically and may include but are not limited to:

scales, measures

irons, heat sealing equipment

tweezers

gloves.

Storage and work area conditions may include but are not limited to:
correct temperature
humidity, light
security
ventilation
isolation and correct storage of hazardous substances.

Regulatory requirements:
vary between States and Territories which may affect the extent to which pharmacy staff members are able to perform some of the functions.

Regulatory and legislative requirements as applicable for each State and Territory may include but are not limited to:

Consumer Law, Environmental Law, Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare Law specific to Local Government, State and Federal Legislation

The Pharmacy/Pharmacists Act and related regulations

Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances/Poisons Act and related regulations

Therapeutic Goods Act

Health Act and related regulations

Privacy legislation

Pharmacy Board Guidelines and/or directives

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia's Professional Practice Standards

Codes of conduct/ethics.

Infection control guidelines may include but are not limited to:

handwashing

wearing gloves and appropriate protective clothing

sterilising, disinfecting and/or cleaning equipment.

Dose administration container labels may include but are not limited to:

name of the patient

pharmacy details including name, address, telephone number

name, strength and form of all medicines supplied in the container

directions for use of each medicine as prescribed

date on which the container was filled

any cautionary and advisory labels for the particular substance where appropriate, and "KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN".

Maintenance of dose administration documentation may include but is not limited to:

filing

indexing

sending copies to relevant personnel.

The following components of the Evidence Guide relate directly to the Performance Criteria and the Range Statement for the unit of competency and will inform and provide guidance for assessment of the unit in the workplace and/or training program.
Critical Aspects of Evidence
Evidence of the following knowledge and skills is considered essential to demonstrate competency in this unit. This includes demonstration of the Key Competencies at the performance level identified at the end of this unit:
Consistently applying pharmacy policies, standards and guidelines, industry legislation and codes of practice in regard to assisting in the preparation of dose administration containers, including:
quality checking procedures by pharmacist
referring to the pharmacist any changes in the prescription or medication dosage.
Consistently performing work in a safe manner and in accordance with legislative requirements.
Evidence of the ability to consistently use effective communication techniques to provide information to patients/other pharmacy staff while maintaining an awareness of the need for discretion, tact and confidentiality.
Evidence of the ability to read, accurately interpret and consistently apply instructions for assisting in the preparation of dose administration containers.
Demonstration of the ability to source, record and disseminate relevant information.
Identifying and understanding different types of dispensary documents.
Recognition of the situations requiring referral to the pharmacist and/or other pharmacy staff according to pharmacy policy.

Underpinning Knowledge and Skills
The following knowledge, understanding and skills are essential to perform work to the required standard in this unit.
Knowledge and application of pharmacy policies, standards and guidelines, industry codes of practice, legislative and regulatory requirements in regards to assisting in the preparation of dose administration containers.
Knowledge and application of basic hygiene and the importance of maintaining clean equipment and working environment.
Knowledge and application of pharmacy policies and procedures, in regard to:
personal hygiene and use of protective clothing
the importance of maintaining a clean working environment and equipment
storage requirements and the rationale for different types of products
identification and handling of products
preparation/printing of labels
packaging and pre-packing medicines/products into dosage administration containers
completing and maintaining dose administration and packaging documentation.
Skills in:
communicating and interacting appropriately with colleagues, health care practitioners, other clients and patients
preparing and organising information in regard to assisting in the preparation of dose administration containers.
Knowledge of pharmacy procedures/workflow/checking procedures and safety in regard to:
various pack sizes and appropriateness
purpose of information to be shown on medicine packs eg product name, expiry date.
Operational skills and techniques in:
communicating ideas and information
maintaining confidentiality and privacy
demonstrating empathy and tact
working with others and in teams
planning and organising activities
managing routines and procedures
solving problems.
Language, literacy and numeracy skills appropriate to the job role and function eg documenting packaging information and recording procedures.
Awareness of the circumstances/situations under which referral to the pharmacist and/or other pharmacy staff is indicated.
Operational skills to consistently use time effectively and provide quality customer service in the pharmacy environment.

Context of Assessment
For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, competency should be consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor and/or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor. The technical expert may include the pharmacist and/or an experienced person at the workplace.
Competency should be demonstrated in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment in a range of situations which may include customer interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the pharmacy.
Assessment should be undertaken in an environment that meets pharmacy industry codes of practice and relevant industry regulations and legislation.

Interdependent Assessment of Unit
Unit WRPDIS303A
All units which relate to a job function can be considered as co-requisites to assist with an integrated approach to assessment.
For advice on interdependent assessment of units within and across pharmacy qualifications, refer to the Assessment Guidelines.

Assessment Methods
The following assessment methods are suggested:
Observation of the pharmacy staff member performing a range of workplace tasks over sufficient time to demonstrate her/his handling of a range of contingencies. Tasks may include:
setting out materials for packaging
packing or pre-packing goods
completing dose administration documentation.
Written and/or oral questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of relevant pharmacy procedures with regard to preparing dose administration containers and related documents. Questions will be asked in a manner appropriate to the language and literacy level of the pharmacy staff member.
Completing workplace documentation relevant to dose administration.

Assessment Resources
This refers to the resources that are necessary for undertaking the assessment.
All resources must be provided for the assessment. If workplace based, the resources should relate specifically to pharmacy policies, procedures and range of stock and equipment. If an off the job or simulated work environment is used then resources should be applicable to the work environment.
Resources may include:
A real or simulated pharmacy dispensary environment.
Relevant documentation such as:
pharmacy policies and procedures
industry codes of practice and relevant legislation.
Access to a range of medication.
Access to a range of packaging equipment and related products.
A qualified workplace assessor and/or a technical expert working in partnership with the assessor.

There are a number of processes that are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies. Key competencies are generic competencies that focus on the capacity to apply knowledge and skills in an integrated way in work situations, but are not specific to any particular industry. Key competencies foster the development of skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to perform work operations. The questions below highlight how these processes could be applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = the competence needed to undertake tasks effectively, 2 = the ability to manage tasks, and 3 = the ability to use concepts for evaluating and reshaping tasks.
Communicating ideas and information
By communicating ideas and information relative to packaging, packing and administration of dose administration containers with pharmacy staff. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By researching information relative to assisting in the packaging of dose administration containers and collating this information in a useable format. (1)

Planning and organising activities
By organising activities associated with preparing to assist in the packaging of dose administration containers. (2)

Working with others and in teams
By involving pharmacy staff in packing and administration of dose administration containers, encouraging participation and contribution to effective pharmacy operations. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical ideas and techniques are likely to be involved in packaging and administration of dose administration containers. (1)

Solving problems
By independently resolving all routine issues with materials, packaging and administration of dose administration containers; accessing suitable support within or outside the pharmacy to resolve non-routine problems. (2)

Using technology
Technology may be utilised in measuring and packaging. Data or information may be accessed or recorded using technology in relation to dose administration procedures. (1)