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. 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.


Pharmaceutical ingredients and equipment may include:
Medicinal substance, which may be of animal, mineral, vegetable, or imponderable source
Lactose powder or globules
Medicating alcohol
Distilled water
Mortar and pestle
Measuring equipment
Sterile containers
Labels
Protective clothing


Pharmaceutical guidelines and methodology refers to:
Official pharmacopœia, including the homœopathic pharmacopœia of the USA, the UK, Germany and France
Relevant aphorisms and footnotes in the Organon of Medicine 5th/6th Edition
Trituration
Maceration
Succussion
Serial dilution


Dispensing ingredients and equipment may include:
Medicating potency
Medicinal vehicle
Dispensing alcohol
Measuring equipment
Sterile containers
Labels
Protective clothing


The form of the medicine may include:
Powder
Globule
Pillule
Tablet
Liquid
Cream
Ointment
Pessary
Suppository


Care is taken to prevent contamination means:
One medicine is in use at one time
Medicines are made and prepared over an impervious surface
Direct contact with or olfaction of the medicine is avoided
Objects that come in contact with the medicine are thoroughly cleaned or discarded
Medicines which come in contact with contaminants are discarded
The work space is well ventilated


Clinic guidelines may include:
WHS guidelines
Quality system guidelines
Dispensing procedure
Hygiene and waste guidelines
Stock and storage procedures


Instructions for taking the homœopathic medicine refer to:
Route of administration, eg oral, olfaction, application
Frequency of administration - single dose, repeated doses, intervals between doses
Any other instructions specific to the method of administration eg dilution, plussing
Factors that may interfere with the homœopathic medicine, eg consumption of coffee, alcohol or tobacco, concurrent use of allopathic medications, dental work
The need to report incidences to the prescribing homœopath


Acceptable sources includes:
Australian suppliers listed by the therapeutic goods administration
Reputable overseas suppliers
Substances collected and prepared from natural sources


Labelled correctly means:
According to legislative guidelines
According to clinic requirements


Factors that may have an effect on the storage include:
Proximity to electromagnetic radiation
Exposure to heat above 50(C
Prolonged exposure to sunlight
Exposure to strong odorous substances, eg perfumes, camphor


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

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 performance in the workplace or a simulated workplace (defined as a supervised clinic) 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
Assessment of sole practitioners must include a range of clinical situations and different client groups covering at minimum, age, culture and gender
Assessment of sole practitioners must consider their unique workplace context, including:
interaction with others in the broader professional community as part of the sole practitioner's workplace
scope of practice as detailed in the qualification and component competency units
holistic/integrated assessment including:
working within the practice framework
performing a health assessment
assessing the client
planning treatment
providing treatment


Context of and specific resources for assessment:
An appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment
Dispensing resources
Relevant texts or medical manuals
Relevant paper-based/video assessment instruments
Appropriate assessment environment
Skilled assessors


Method of assessment
Practical demonstration and observation in the work place (if possible)
Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Clinical skills involving direct client care are to be assessed initially in a simulated clinical setting (laboratory). If successful, a second assessment is to be conducted during workplace application under direct supervision
Explanations of technique
Oral questioning and discussion


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


Related units:
This unit should be assessed in conjunction with the following related competency unit:
HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures