Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to gather information about customer needs, and provide suggestions and information on asthma-care aids and equipment. It requires the ability to identify and act on triggers for referral to a pharmacist for therapeutic advice or supply of scheduled asthma medicines.
This unit applies to pharmacy assistants working in community pharmacies. They work with some independence, under general supervision and guidance from others, but ultimately under the supervising pharmacist.
This unit incorporates the requirement for pharmacy assistants to comply with federal, state and territory law and Pharmacy Board of Australia Guidelines.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Collect information about customer needs. | 1.1.Approach and question customer according to pharmacy protocol. 1.2.Use questions and actively listen to determine who will be using the product and relevant asthma triggers, symptoms, duration and severity of the condition. 1.3.Determine customer satisfaction with products previously used. 1.4.Check if customer is using an asthma action plan. 1.5.Identify any other health conditions and prescribed medications. 1.6.Follow pharmacy procedures to respect and protect customer privacy. |
2. Assess customer information and determine need for referral. | 2.1.Recognise and act on information that requires referral to the pharmacist. 2.2.Provide clear summary of customer information to pharmacist when referral is required. 2.3.Monitor pharmacist consultation and finalise interaction with customer according to pharmacy procedures. |
3. Provide product, self-care and lifestyle information. | 3.1.Select and suggest asthma-care aids and equipment suited to customer needs within scope of own knowledge. 3.2.Identify and use opportunities to suggest additional products relevant to customer needs. 3.3.Explain and demonstrate use, care and maintenance of aids and equipment. 3.4.Offer current and accurate information on related lifestyle and self-care practices and specialist support services. |
4. Maintain and develop knowledge of asthma management, products and services. | 4.1.Identify and use opportunities to maintain and develop product and health condition knowledge using recognised sources of information. 4.2.Check regularly for new additions or changes to range. 4.3.Use product information to update knowledge of product application and directions for use. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:
access and interpret information about asthma and specialist support services from two different sources
recognise and respond to three different asthma-related situations that require referral to a pharmacist
suggest suitable asthma-care aids and equipment for six customers presenting with different needs that individually or cumulatively include the need for:
spacer devices
nebulisers
masks for adults and children
peak flow meters
provide directions for product use and other information on lifestyle, self-care practices and specialist support services for each of the above customers
respond to the needs of the following customer types:
adults of both genders
the elderly
children.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
groups at risk of asthma
common symptoms of asthma and related conditions
physiological effects of asthma on the body, at a basic level of understanding
common triggers that can contribute to or exacerbate asthma and methods of self-care
content and use of asthma management plans
key terminology, jargon and common abbreviations relevant to asthma management, for:
health conditions
products used to assist
overview of pharmacy product range of asthma-care aids and equipment:
location
different types and their features, uses care and maintenance
spacer devices
nebulisers
masks for adults and children
peak flow meters
recognised sources and format of product, lifestyle and self-care information:
manufacturer product support materials:
product leaflets, brochures, booklets
internet sites
health-care fact sheets
industry and professional publications
pharmacy manuals
reputable health education internet sites
government and not-for profit organisations:
Asthma Council of Australia
Asthma Foundation
organisational procedures for supplying asthma related products.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in a pharmacy with designated front of pharmacy and dispensary areas. This can be:
an industry workplace
a simulated industry environment.
Assessment must ensure use of:
information technology hardware and software
online information systems
pharmacy display and storage locations, shelf facings and signage for asthma-care aids and equipment
a diverse, comprehensive and commercial range of asthma-care aids and equipment:
spacer devices
nebulisers
masks for adults and children
peak flow meters
customer brochures and leaflets providing information on:
directions for use, care and maintenance of aids and equipment
lifestyle and self-care practices
specialist services that support asthma management
organisational procedures for supplying asthma related products
customers with whom the individual can interact; these can be:
customers in an industry workplace who are served by the individual during the assessment process; or
individuals who participate in role plays or simulated activities, set up for the purpose of assessment, in a simulated industry environment operated within a training organisation.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisation’s requirements for assessors, and:
have worked in the pharmacy sector for at least two years.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement. | |
Technology skills to: | use online information systems to search for information. |
Sectors
Community Pharmacy
Competency Field
Pharmacy Product Advice