Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:29 AM AWST
22/07/2026 11:29 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 with dispensing of prescriptions and medication orders
Assist with dispensing of prescriptions and medication orders
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTPH316A
HLTPH316A
State Code
WD258
WD258
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
14/02/2014
Field of Education
060501 - Pharmacy
Original Release Date
14/02/2014
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to assist with the preparation of prescriptions and medication orders according to legal and good pharmacy practice requirements
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
Accept prescription / medication order for dispensing
- 1.1 Receive prescription / medication order and confirm client details
- 1.2 Identify the prescriber and source initiating the prescription / medication order for the purpose of costing and computer entry
- 1.3 Confirm the legality, validity and completeness of theprescription / medication order
- 1.4 Report discrepancies to pharmacist
- 1.5 Provide information to client
Ensure clinical evaluation of prescription / medication order by pharmacist
- 2.1 Refer prescription / medication order to pharmacist for clinical evaluation
- 2.2 Confirm pharmacist has completed a clinical evaluation before filling the prescription / medication order
- 2.3 Complete documentation required prior to dispensing
Prepare for labelling of medicines
- 3.1 Enter dispensing data into computer
- 3.2 Check accuracy of data entered against information from medication order
- 3.3 Generate medicine labels to meet legal and regulatory requirements
- 3.4 Follow procedures to deal with contraventions of law
- 3.5 Check information on labels for accuracy, according to the prescription / medication order requirements
- 3.6 Check that information on labels is neat, clear, easily understood, and in line with legal requirements
- 3.7 Prepare cautionary and advisory labels in accordance with legal requirements
- 3.8 Alert pharmacists of any relevant drug interactions warnings from the dispensary program
Assemble items
- 4.1 Refer prescription / medication order to pharmacist if uncertain about prescription / medication order details or prescribed quantity
- 4.2 Calculate quantities of each item according to the prescription / medication order
- 4.3 Select prescribed products
- 4.4 Package correct quantity into a suitable container
- 4.5 Attach correct label/s to container
- 4.6 Use barcode technology for the dispensing process in line with Pharmacy Board of Australia Guidelines
- 4.7 Check packed item for accuracy and visibility of expiry date
- 4.8 Annotate order with the quantity supplied, signature and date
- 4.9 Assemble items for an easy and complete check by the pharmacist
Finalise dispensing of medicine
- 5.1 Verify that prescription / medication order is checked and signed by the pharmacist
- 5.2 Complete documentation
- 5.3 Record relevant information and statistics
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any 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.
Prescription / medicationorder for dispensing may be for:
Clients in residential care facilities
Community based clients
Extemporaneous preparations that do not have a fixed formulae, for specific clients, need to be mixed and provided e.g. dermatological preparation, paediatric formulations
Inpatients / hospitalised clients
Client details may include:
Concession/pension number
Date of birth
Medicare number
Pharmaceutical benefit entitlement number e.g. safety net number
Legality, validity and completeness of the medicationorder may include but is not limited to:
Adequate written instructions on the dosage regimen
Complete client details
Life of prescription / medication order according to legislative requirements
Written in ink, computer generated, transmitted by facsimile or electronically transmitted scanned order
Report discrepancies to pharmacist may include but are not limited to:
Incomplete or incorrect prescriber and/or client details
Prescriptions for a narcotic written by the prescriber for self treatment
Prescription / medication order marked "cancelled" or otherwise such as to indicate that it has been dispensed and completed
Prescription / medication order out of date
Questionable dosages and administration method for commonly used medicines
Request for excessive quantities
Provide information to client may include:
Any foreseen difficulty in filling the prescription/ medication order
The approximate waiting time and collection arrangements
The determined cost of the medicines
Generate prescription labels may include:
Electronically
Typed
Written
Prepare cautionary and advisory labels include those:
Attached separately
Incorporated into label
Prescription / medicationorder for dispensing may be for:
Clients in residential care facilities
Community based clients
Extemporaneous preparations that do not have a fixed formulae, for specific clients, need to be mixed and provided e.g. dermatological preparation, paediatric formulations
Inpatients / hospitalised clients
Client details may include:
Concession/pension number
Date of birth
Medicare number
Pharmaceutical benefit entitlement number e.g. safety net number
Legality, validity and completeness of the medicationorder may include but is not limited to:
Adequate written instructions on the dosage regimen
Complete client details
Life of prescription / medication order according to legislative requirements
Written in ink, computer generated, transmitted by facsimile or electronically transmitted scanned order
Report discrepancies to pharmacist may include but are not limited to:
Incomplete or incorrect prescriber and/or client details
Prescriptions for a narcotic written by the prescriber for self treatment
Prescription / medication order marked "cancelled" or otherwise such as to indicate that it has been dispensed and completed
Prescription / medication order out of date
Questionable dosages and administration method for commonly used medicines
Request for excessive quantities
Provide information to client may include:
Any foreseen difficulty in filling the prescription/ medication order
The approximate waiting time and collection arrangements
The determined cost of the medicines
Generate prescription labels may include:
Electronically
Typed
Written
Prepare cautionary and advisory labels include those:
Attached separately
Incorporated into label
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Observation of workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as closely as possible
Simulations may be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possibleAcceptable simulation requires:
Scope to determine that work is conducted within legislative and regulatory requirements
Scope to determine that work is conducted within WHS and infection control requirements
Resources essential for assessment include:
Access to relevant workplace or a simulated environment where assessment can take place
Relevant legislation, regulations and guidelines
Relevant policies (Good Practice requirements)
Weighing and measuring equipment and instructions
Method of assessment may include:
Formal appraisal systems
Interviewing and questioning
Observation in the work place
Supporting statement of supervisor(s)
Written assignments/projects
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Observation of workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as closely as possible
Simulations may be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possibleAcceptable simulation requires:
Scope to determine that work is conducted within legislative and regulatory requirements
Scope to determine that work is conducted within WHS and infection control requirements
Resources essential for assessment include:
Access to relevant workplace or a simulated environment where assessment can take place
Relevant legislation, regulations and guidelines
Relevant policies (Good Practice requirements)
Weighing and measuring equipment and instructions
Method of assessment may include:
Formal appraisal systems
Interviewing and questioning
Observation in the work place
Supporting statement of supervisor(s)
Written assignments/projects
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D8421 | HLTPH314B | Assist with basic dispensing of prescriptions | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUZ93 | HLTPHA003 | Assist with dispensing of prescriptions and medication orders | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J581 | HLT30113 | Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care | Qualification |
| J056 | HLT31412 | Certificate III in Hospital-Health Services Pharmacy Support | Qualification |