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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Prepare for production process
  2. Obtain and process raw materials
  3. Manufacture/compound products
  4. Complete production process
  5. Participate in quality control
  6. Store and transport released product

Required Skills

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

Basic hygiene and the importance of maintaining a clean working environment and equipment

Basic principles of manufacturing processes

Chemical and physical properties of raw materials in relation to formulation and compounding

Compound of a product according to a work sheet

Correct disposal of sharps drug residues etc

Identification and handling of products including

formulary drugs and nonformulary drugs eg clinical trial drugs and special access scheme drugs

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 its spill management refrigerated and frozen items light sensitive materials and flammables

Infection control policies guidelines and symbols and their relevance to working in a hospital pharmacy

Knowledge of and the rationale for applicable legislation organisation policy and inhouse standard operating procedures SOPs relating to small scale compoundmanufacture of pharmaceutical products

Labelling requirements for compounded products

Maintenance principles and procedures of clean work environments

Nature and use of different dosage forms

OHS policies guidelines and symbols and their relevance to working in a hospital pharmacy

Packaging methods container materials and principles for selection

Personal hygiene and the use of protective clothing

Pharmacy computer systems

Preparation of worksheets

Principles and procedures of formulae calculations weights and measures

Principles and procedures of maintaining security of pharmaceutical products

Principles of handling and storage of hazardous materials

continued

Essential knowledge contd

Principles of record keeping and required documentation to be completed

Processes for dilution suspension incorporation and reconstitution

Purpose of batch numbering and expiry date on medicines

Purpose of information to be shown on medicine packs eg product name batch numbering and expiry date

Sources and types of contamination microbial crosschemical physical environmental and corrective strategies

Storage requirements and rationale for different types of product

Essential skills

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Complete and file documentation

Compound raw materials correctly and safely to achieve a quality product

Perform quality assurance monitoring

Prepare process and manufacture quality pharmaceutical products from fixed formulae

Produce a product free from microbial or cross contamination

Refer issues identified outside scope of practice to an authorised person

Transport and store product according to NCCTG Guidelines for the Preparation of Pharmaceuticals in Hospitals

Use personal protective equipment when necessary

Work in a safe manner

Work in accordance with relevant organisation policy legislative requirements industrial awards and agreements and inhouse operating procedures SOPs

continued

Essential skills contd

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

Assemble maintain clean and use all equipment used in manufacturing process in a correct and safe manner and ensure a clean work environments

Calculate drug and nondrug stock requirements for manufacturing

Complete required documentation

Compound a product according to master batchwork sheet

Select and maintain appropriate equipment for manufacturing task

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

Evidence Required

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 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

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

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 OHS and infection control requirements

Resources essential for assessment include

access to relevant workplace or appropriately simulated environment where assessment can take place

relevant legislation regulations and guidelines

weighing and measuring equipment

relevant manufacturing and packing machinery

instructions on the use of equipment

Method of assessment may include

Observation in the work place if possible

Written assignmentsprojects

Interviewing and questioning

Formal appraisal systems

Supporting statement of supervisors

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


Range Statement

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.

Raw materials may include:

Therapeutic agents

Agents considered inactive, that are required for bulking, stabilising, colouring and flavouring the final product

Batch numbers can include:

Batch numbers can consist of any combination of numerals and digits as specified in standard operating procedures that can uniquely identify an individual product or batch for recording and identification purposes.

Raw materials, manufacturing equipment and packaging devices:

The range of raw materials, manufacturing equipment and packaging devices to be used is specified by the batch/work sheet

Equipment and machinery used in manufacturing may be disposable or non-disposable and may include:

Balances

Meters

Gauges

Measures

Beakers

Mixers

Pumps

Spatulas

Ointment slabs

Filters

Extractors

Stills

Syringes

Needles

Pestle and mortar

Autoclaves

Gloves

Masks

Goggles

Compounding may include:

Trituration

Aggregation

Grinding

Dissolution

Mixing

Emulsification

Suspension

Dose forms may include:

Oral

Topical

Product may include:

Formulary drugs and non-formulary drugs eg clinical trial drugs and special access scheme drugs

Products with the required integrity as well as those whose integrity have been compromised eg damaged, contaminated or deteriorated

Routine handling products and products requiring special handling eg cytotoxics and its spill management, refrigerated and frozen items, light sensitive material and flammables

Product packing may include:

Bulk containers

Client ready units

Containers may include:

Bottles (medical and poison)

Glass jars

Tubes

Syringes

Miscellaneous individual client unit devices

Labels may include:

Typed

Written

Electronically produced

Quarantine period

Quarantine period may be defined as time taken to obtain confirmation of suitability of product/batch for human use.

Storage conditions may include:

Correct temperature

Humidity

Light

Secured

Ventilated

Ambient

Isolated

Correct storage of hazardous substances

Secure and safe storage for controlled drugs

Cleaning methods may include:

Washing

Sweeping

Wiping

Disinfecting

Soaking

De-scaling

Special storage conditions may include:

Refrigeration

Inflammable store