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.
Pregnancy and maternal health conditions may include:
backache
breast and nipple changes
changes in hair condition
constipation
headache
haemorrhoids
indigestion or heartburn
gestational diabetes
fatigue
postnatal depression
preeclampsia
morning sickness
swelling of hands and feet
varicose veins
weakened nails.
Pregnancy and maternal health products may include:
breast expressing kits
complementary medicines
dietary supplements
maternity pads
morning sickness treatments
nipple care products, including:
nipple shields
nursing pads
nursing accessories, such as pillows
unscheduled medicines
pharmacy medication
pregnancy testing kits
stretch mark and related skincare products.
Sources of information, specialist services and practitioners include:
doctors
health-care information
manufacturer information
medicines databases
industry and professional publications
other health-care specialists
pharmacist
pharmacy or supplier product leaflets, brochures and manuals
support organisations
relevant websites.
Pharmacy protocols and procedures must include:
interacting with the customer to establish:
who the product is for
symptoms
duration of symptoms
other existing health conditions
other medications being used by the customer
assessing:
customer responses to questions
own confidence that the product or service requested by the customer or envisaged by the pharmacy assistant is right for the customer’s symptoms.
Customer may include people:
from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying mental and physical abilities
visiting the pharmacy, contacting the pharmacy by phone, or in their own home
with special needs, such as:
the elderly
infants
who are:
drug or alcohol affected
emotionally unstable
mentally unstable
physically unwell.
Triggers for referral to a pharmacist must include:
customer who is:
a child under 2
an aged person
pregnant or breastfeeding
taking other medicines
customer who has:
had the complaint for some time
other health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure
used the product before but is not satisfied with its efficacy
requested a large quantity of one or more medicines or products
customer appears to be:
sick
angry
confused
dissatisfied
uncertain
under the influence of drugs or alcohol
pharmacy assistant is unsure and needs confirmation of the medicine selected, even if the product has been requested by name
request for Pharmacist Only Medicine.
Scheduled medicinesmay include:
Pharmacy Medicines (S2)
Pharmacist Only Medicines(S3)
Prescription Only Medicines (S4).

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:
access relevant sources of information to assist the customer and maintain currency of knowledge
apply knowledge of medicines, aids and equipment when recommending and selling products for pregnancy and maternal health conditions
follow pharmacy protocols and procedures when selling pregnancy and maternal health medicines, aids and equipment
provide information to customers in ways appropriate to customer needs and demonstrating appropriate techniques to confirm understanding
recognise personal role boundaries and act on situations or requests requiring referral to a pharmacist.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure that competency is:
observed by the assessor or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor as described in the assessment guidelines
demonstrated across a range of customers over sufficient time to include handling of a range of contingencies
demonstrated in a real or simulated pharmacy environment, which may include customer interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the pharmacy.
Assessment must ensure access to:
a range of real or simulated customers with different pregnancy or maternal health requirements
a range of products and equipment for pregnancy and maternal health conditions
relevant pharmacy protocols and procedures
relevant documentation, such as:
pregnancy and maternal health, products and service information
self-care and lifestyle advice.
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 workplace:
seeking information to establish customer requirements
recommending and supplying pregnancy and maternal health medicines, aids and equipment to a range of customers
identifying and acting on triggers for referral to a pharmacist
selling pregnancy and maternal health medicines, aids and equipment to a range of customers
written or oral questions appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner to test relevant underpinning knowledge
role plays to confirm communication skills to meet diverse customer requirements
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.