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

This unit is most appropriately assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace and under the normal range of work conditions

Assessment may be mostly practical and examples covering a range of situations relevant to health services provided in the workplace

Evidence of workplace performance over time and covering a range of workplace situations must be obtained to inform a judgement of competence

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:

Resource requirements may include:

Appropriate assessment environment

Participants for role plays

Method of assessment

Case studies and scenarios

Observation in the workplace

Oral questioning

Simulations and role play

Supporting statement of workplace supervisor

Written assignments/projects or questioning should be used to assess knowledge

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

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:

Client identification and confirmation of identification

Client rights and responsibilities

CMI:

purpose and layout

sources of i.e. pharmacy computer system, National Prescribing Services online CMI search

Documentation:

assessment of client’s ability to manage medications (e.g. on a Medication Management Plan)

medications brought into hospital

that CMI or other medication-related information has been issued to client/carer

Knowledge and purpose of dose administration aids (DAAs) i.e. dosettes, WebsterPaks and limitations and problems with these devices

Law of consent to medical treatment

Legal and ethical requirements and responsibilities related to the collection and provision of information to clients and other health professionals

Limitations of own work role including:

identification and referring of issues outside scope of practice to the appropriate person

awareness of circumstances/situations where referral to a pharmacist is necessary

Organisation policies, procedures and guidelines

Patient medication lists (e.g. MediList)

purpose and layout

sources and method of preparation of, i.e. pharmacy computer system, National Prescribing Service

Pharmacy or health facility pharmacy storage systems to be able to elicit information from client’s own medicines (with need for pharmacist’s review before any medicines are returned to client)

Principles of effective communication strategies, including recognition of communication and language difficulties and how to overcome these

Principles and practices of ethical and professional codes of conduct

Principles of privacy and confidentiality in relation to collecting and providing information

Purpose and methods for standardised assessment of client’s ability to manage medications (e.g. ability to read labels, open containers etc which is part of medication management assessment detailed on the National Medication Management Plan)

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:

Purpose of client education to aid compliance with administration of medicines

Respiratory devices:

care of respiratory devices

demonstration of respiratory devices

knowledge, purpose and selection criteria for respiratory devices including:

dry powder inhalers (e.g. Accuhaler, Turbuhaler, Handihaler)

metered dose inhaler

spacers (e.g. Volumatic, Breath-a-tech)

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

Structure and functions of the body systems and associated components, including:

cardiovascular system

cells, tissues and organs

digestive system

endocrine system

integumentary system

lymphatic system

musculo-skeletal system

nervous system

reproductive system

respiratory system

the special senses – smell, taste, vision, equilibrium and hearing

urinary system

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:

Understanding of different medicine groups, including:

analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents

anti-coagulants

anti-depressants

anti-diabetic agents

anti-epileptics

anti-gout agents

anti-histamines

analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents

anti-hypertensives

anxiolytics and hypnotics

asthma treating agents

cholesterol and lip lowering agents

corticosteroids

cytotoxics

diuretics

gastro-intestinal agents

heart medicines

hormonal medicines

Understanding of different medicine groups, including:

osteoporosis medicines

viral and anti-bacterial agents, anti-fungals or antibiotics

Understanding of the following factors affecting medicine groups:

blood pressure

breast feeding

geriatric

paediatric

pregnancy

Understanding of the following terms:

bioavailability

bioequivalence

drug absorption

drug distribution

drug elimination

drug half-life

drug metabolism

Understanding of the concept of drug-drug interactions, drug food interactions and incompatibilities

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability 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:

Prepare and present information related to administration of medicines in response to a range of enquiries

Assess client understanding of information provided

Demonstrate care for and use of:

DAAs i.e. dosettes, WebsterPaks

respiratory devices including:

dry powder inhalers (e.g. Accuhaler, Turbuhaler, Handihaler)

metered dose inhaler

spacers (e.g. Volumatic, Breath-a-tech)

Collate relevant CMI for client

Communicate effectively including:

active listening

clarify and ascertain correct meanings from communication

clear, concise and correct written and verbal communication

communicate on a one-to-one basis

correct presentation of correspondence

documentation and record keeping

elicit information

establish rapport

passing on verbal and written messages

use correct grammar, spelling and punctuation

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

Comply with legal and ethical requirements and organisation policies and procedures, including:

demonstrating respect for clients’ rights

meeting requirements for provision of duty of care

working in accordance with legislation relevant to the workplace and specific work functions

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

Identify particular issues that require follow-up counselling by the pharmacist

Locate, access and print CMI

Make appointments to meet a range of client needs

Manage difficult situations

Respond to meet the needs of a range of clients in a range of situations including those with special needs

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability 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:

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

Use information technology to collect and provide information from / to clients

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

Work in accordance with relevant organisation policy, legislative requirements, industrial awards and agreements and professional practice standards, particularly the Society of Hospital Pharmacists (SHPA) Standards of Practice for Clinical Pharmacy and Standards of Practice for the Provision of Consumer Medicines Information by Pharmacists in Hospitals and the PSA Professional Practice Standards on Counselling, when collecting and providing specific information to/for clients

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.

Special needs may include but are not limited to:

Communication difficulties

Disability

Language difficulties

Need for an interpreter

Need for communication aids

Need for uninterrupted privacy

Presence of children/spouse

Standard assessment tools may include:

Medication management assessment detailed on the Medication Management Plan

Manage their medicationsmay include:

Ability to open containers

Ability to read labels of medication containers

Modes of communication may include:

Direct/indirect

Formal/informal

Verbal/non-verbal

Written

Relevant information is limited to:

CMI

Confirmation of appointment date and time

Information about the use of respiratory devices

Information about the use of Dose Administration Aids

Standardised (workplace approved) information for clients