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.
Symptoms may include:
shortness of breath
wheezing
a dry, irritating and continual cough:
at night
in the morning
when active.
Asthma-related medicines and productsmay include:
relievers
inhaled bronchodilators
preventers
symptom controllers
equipment, including:
spacer devices
nebulisers
pressurised aerosols (puffers)
masks for adults and children
breath-activated metered dose inhalers or other delivery devices
peak flow meters.
Sources of informationmay include:
Asthma Council of Australia
Asthma Foundation
CMI
children’s hospital online health information fact sheets.
Protocols and proceduresmay include:
interacting with the customer to establish:
who the product is for
condition
symptoms
duration of symptoms
if the customer has seen a doctor for other existing health conditions
other medicines that the customer is currently using
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.
Common triggers may include:
colds
exercise
changes in the weather
cigarette smoke
house dust mites
pets
pollens.
Triggers for referral to a pharmacist may 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 diabetes and high blood pressure
used the product before but is not satisfied with its efficacy
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:
follow pharmacy protocols and procedures when supplying asthma-related medicines, aids and equipment
apply knowledge of the common symptoms and basic causes of asthma
apply knowledge of medicine, aids and equipment appropriate to treat or manage asthma when demonstrating, recommending and supplying products
identify and refer to relevant sources of information, assist the customer and maintain personal currency of knowledge
provide information to customers in ways appropriate to customer needs and demonstrate appropriate techniques to confirm understanding
recognise 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:
pharmacy protocols and procedures
relevant documentation, such as:
asthma medicines, products and service information
self-care and lifestyle advice
a range of real or simulated customers with different asthma treatment or care requirements
a range of asthma medicines and products.
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:
following pharmacy procedures to establish customer requirements
demonstrating use and care of asthma management equipment to customers, such as spacers and inhalers
recommending and supplying asthma-related medicines and equipment to a range of customers
identifying and acting on triggers for referral to a pharmacist
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.