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 the pharmacist in dispensary operations.

Dispensary assistant duties (under the direct supervision of a pharmacist) may include but are not limited to:
perform routine maintenance procedures on computers
perform clerical functions associated with prescription dispensing
receive stock, order, unpack, check and put away dispensing stock
check expiry dates and rotate stock
prepare Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme claims
pack stock from large containers into smaller containers
select pre-packed stock from shelves under direction of pharmacist
stamp and collate prescription forms
prepare and attach dispensing labels to containers
arrange all documentation and medicines for checking by pharmacist
set out dispensed medication into dose administration containers, provided the setting out is checked by a pharmacist after the addition of each drug to the container.

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.

Limitations to the role of the dispensary assistant include not being authorised to:
receive prescriptions over the telephone
interpret prescriptions
discuss or counsel a patient concerning any aspect of the content of a prescription
prepare any medicine prescribed for a patient requiring extemporaneous production, including the reconstitution of mixtures, eye drops
enter prescription records into a prescription recording system until a pharmacist personally checks each patient's medication history before the dispensed medicine is supplied
decide the brand to be used in dispensing generic prescriptions
hand out a dispensed prescription unless a pharmacist has reviewed the patient's medication history, finally checked the dispensed medicine for accuracy, compliance with the prescriber's intentions and ensured that the supply is consistent with the safety of the patient
select or alter the storage conditions of medicines.

Dispensary work flow procedures may include but are not limited to:

features of forward pharmacy

work flow designs.

Drug groups and related examples may include but are not limited to:
Expected effects may include but are not limited to

Analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents - paracetamol/codeine, diclofenac:
Modify the extent to which we feel pain

Viral and anti-bacterial agents, anti-fungals or antibiotics - amoxycillin, acyclovir:
Prevent the replication of the virus/bacteria

Anti-coagulants - warfarin:
Inhibit the clotting mechanisms with the blood circulation

Anti-depressants - fluoxetine, sertraline:
Improve the patient's mood or sense of well being

Anxiolytics and hypnotics - diazepam, flunitrazepam:
Lessen anxiety and/or to promote sleep

Anti-diabetic agents - insulin, metformin:
Balance the levels of insulin in body

Anti-epileptics - phenytoin, carbamazepine:
Modifying the electrical conduction within the brain

Anti-gout agents - allopurinol, colchicine:
Inhibit the production of uric acid and reduce the inflammatory response

Anti-malarials - chlorquine:
Interfere with the life cycle of the parasite

Corticosteroids - prednisolone, betamethasone:
Generally act as an anti-inflammatory agent

Diuretics - frusemide, amiloride:
Increase urinary output

Gastro-intestinal agents - ranitidine, aluminium hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide/simethicone:
Treat hyperacidity and/or protect the gastric lining

Anti-histamines - dexchlorpheniramine:
Decreases the inflammatory response to allergic reactions

Cholesterol and lipid lowering agents - simvastatin, atorvastatin:
Lowers levels of LDL cholesterol

Asthma treating agents - salbutamol, budesonide:
Help to open the airways and/or prevent the inflammatory processes accompanying asthma

Hormonal Preparations - levonorgestrel/ethinyloestradiol, cyproterone:
Contraception, hormone replacement therapy etc.

Heart preparations - digoxin, sotalol:
Affect heart rhythm and pumping action/strength

Anti-hypertensives - enalapril, captopril:
Reduce the pressure in the circulatory system.

Osteoporosis preparation - alendronate:
Increase bone density and mass

Storage and location requirements may include but are not limited to:
sequential positioning along shelves
alphabetically arrangement
controlled substances under specific storage conditions
grouping of pharmacist only medication
refrigeration.

Medication form and related abbreviations may include but are not limited to:
Tablet Tab
Capsule Cap
Suspension -Susp
Drops -Gutt
Cream -Cr

Prescriptions may be:
handwritten or electronically generated and may include an order by a pharmacist.

Labels may be typed, written or electronically generated and may include but are not limited to:
the name of the patient, or in the case of an animal the name of the owner of that animal and the type of animal
the name of the drug/generic name
the date of dispensing or supply and where applicable an identifying code/number
the name, address and telephone number of the pharmacy at which the prescription was dispensed
directions for the correct use of the medicine as prescribed by the prescriber
directions for storage and expiry date of the drug or medicine
prescriber's name
the words 'KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN".

Dispensing records/data and related patient medication history may include but is not limited to:
patient details as required by state regulations eg date if birth, weight, known allergies and/or history of adverse drug reaction, or any matters relating to drug dependency
prescriber details as required by state regulations
quantity of goods, strength as required by state regulations
brand of substance dispensed if other than the brand prescribed

Measuring devices may typically include:
manual or electronic tablet counters and measuring cylinders.

Packaging/containers may include:

boxes, cartons, packs, bottles, child resistant packaging

Accuracy of checked items may include but is not limited to:
correct product
quantity
placement of labels to expose expiry date and batch number.

Product range may include but is not limited to:
non-scheduled products
pharmacy medicines
pharmacist only medicines
prescription only medicines
controlled drugs.

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, regulations and codes of practice in regard to assisting with dispensary operations, including:
preparing prescriptions
maintaining patient and prescription data, especially privacy aspects
referring to the pharmacist all queries requiring therapeutic advice
relaying information to patients.
Evidence of the ability to consistently use effective communication techniques to provide information to patients while maintaining an awareness of the need for discretion, tact and confidentiality.
Consistently collecting, interpreting and conveying drug group information accurately and responsibly.
Consistently planning and organising dispensary operations activities in collaboration with colleagues to meet priorities.
Demonstration of the ability to source, record and disseminate relevant dispensary information.
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 the pharmacist with dispensary operations and prescription preparation and processing.
Skills and knowledge in the following areas:
dispensary assistant duties and limitations
prescription preparation under pharmacist supervision
dispensary workflow procedures
collecting, analysing and organising dispensary information from a variety of sources
accepting prescriptions for dispensing and checking details on the prescription
preparing and organising information in regard to prescription preparation and assisting in the dispensary
delivery of medication within and outside the pharmacy
relaying label information.
Knowledge of principles, techniques and skills in:
communicating ideas and information
maintaining confidentiality and privacy
working with others and in teams
planning and organising activities
managing routines and procedures
demonstrating empathy and tact
solving problems.
Language, literacy and numeracy skills appropriate to the role and workplace requirements.
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 a range of situations which may include customer interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the pharmacy.

Interdependent Assessment of Unit
Units WRPDIS101A
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:
referring prescriptions and patient medication records to the pharmacist for clinical evaluation
entering prescription/patient data into dispensary software
selecting prescribed medicines
preparing and fixing relevant prescription labels
checking medications for accuracy under the direction of the pharmacist.
Written and/or oral questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of relevant pharmacy policies, standards and guidelines with regard to assisting the pharmacist with dispensary operations and prescription preparation including the dispensary assistants responsibilities and limitations. Questions will be asked in a manner appropriate to the language and literacy level of the pharmacy staff member.
Completing workplace documentation relevant to dispensary operations.

Assessment Resources
This refers to the resources that are necessary for undertaking the assessment.
All resources must be provided for the assessment and should relate specifically to pharmacy policies, procedures and range of stock and equipment.
Resources may include:
A real pharmacy dispensary environment, including dispensary software
Relevant documentation such as:
pharmacy policies and procedures
prescriptions (real or simulated)
industry codes of practice, standards and guidelines
state and federal legislation where appropriate.
Access to a range of customers with different requirements (real or simulated).
Access to a range of medications and related equipment.
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 information relative to prescriptions either verbally or in written form (including labelling). (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By researching information sources relative to dispensary operations, gathering drug classification and dispensary assistant related information and by selecting and collating this data in a suitable format. (2)

Planning and organising activities
By organising activities associated with preparation of prescriptions in conjunction with the pharmacist's activities. (2)

Working with others and in teams
By involving pharmacy staff, at an appropriate level in dispensary operations and encouraging participation and contribution to pharmacy objectives. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical ideas and techniques are likely to be utilised in undertaking the preparation and measurement of prescriptions. (1)

Solving problems
By independently resolving all routine issues with the development of drug classification knowledge and identifying the responsibility of a dispensary assistant associated with dispensary operations; accessing suitable support within or outside the pharmacy to resolve non-routine problems. (2)

Using technology
Technology may be utilised in developing drug classification knowledge and prescription preparation. Information may be accessed or recorded using technology in relation to the processing of prescriptions. (1)