This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

Essential knowledge

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes knowledge of

Awareness of indemnity issues in relation to CommonwealthState regulatory and legislative requirements

Identification and handling of products including

formulary medicines and nonformulary medicines eg clinical trial medicines and Special Access Scheme medicines

products with the required integrity as well as those whose integrity has been compromised eg damaged contaminated or deteriorated stock

routine handling of products and products requiring special handling eg cytotoxics and their spill management refrigerated and frozen items light sensitive materials and flammables

Infection control principles

maintaining a clean working environment and equipment including the principles of cleaning and disinfection

personal hygiene and the use of protective clothing when handling and packaging pharmaceutical products

Knowledge of and the rationale for applicable legislation organisation policy and inhouse standard operating procedures SOPs relating to packaging of pharmaceuticals

Knowledge of the legal responsibilities of providers of health care in relation to confidentiality client rights duty of care and implications of negligence

Legal requirements and principles of pharmaceutical product labelling eg product name batch numbering and expiry date

Pharmacy Board of Australias Guidelines on specialised supply arrangements and guidelineslegislation on the filling of dose administration containers

specific labelling requirements for filling dose administration aids DAAs and other containers

Limitations of own work role including identification and referring of issues outside scope of practice to the authorised person

Work Health and Safety WHS policies guidelines and symbols and their relevance to packaging pharmaceutical products

Operation cleaning and maintenance of various types of equipment in accordance with manufacturers guidelines specifications and standard operating procedures including

counting trays

irons

heat sealing equipment

measures

scales

tweezers

Packaging principles and processes including

calculations weights and measures

properties of container types and selection for use

various pack sizes and selection for use

Principles and practices of ethical and professional codes of conduct

Standard pharmaceutical references including Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary APF MIMs AMH and Micromedex

Essential skills

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Identify issues outside scope of practice and refer to the authorised person

Maintain effective quality control during the packaging process

Package and label pharmaceutical products in accordance with all requirements

Work in accordance with Pharmacy Board of Australias Guidelines and relevant organisation policy legislative requirements industrial awards and agreements and inhouse standard operating procedures SOPs for pharmaceutical product packaging including labelling

Work in accordance with relevant work health and safety and infection control guidelines

In addition the candidate must be able to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes the ability to

Clean operate and maintain the specified equipment according to manufacturer specifications and WHS requirements

Enter and access data on pharmacy computer system

Maintain packaging documentation

Take into account opportunities to address waste minimisation environmental responsibility and sustainable practice issues

Use available resources and prioritise workload

Use literacy numeracy and oral communication skills required to fulfil the position in a safe manner as specified by the health care facility

Use problem solving skills

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 desirable 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 far as possible

Simulations may be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible Acceptable 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

Weighing and measuring equipment

Relevant packing machinery

Instructions on the use of equipment

Method of assessment may include

Formal appraisal systems

Interviewing and questioning

Observation in the work place

Supporting statement of supervisors

Written assignmentsprojects eg for fundamentals of microbiology and principles of cleaning and disinfection

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 andor Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Packaging process includes:

Prepare work area includes but is not limited to checking and correcting the following:

Packaging equipment may be operated manually or automatically and may include but is not limited to:

Packaging materials may include but is not limited to:

Medicines include:

Prepare labels according to legal requirements specifically for filling dose administration aids (DAA) and other containers may include but are not limited to:

Products may include: