Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to gather information about customer needs, and provide suggestions and information on Pharmacy Medicines (S2) and unscheduled wound care products. It requires the ability to identify and act on triggers for referral to a pharmacist for therapeutic advice or supply of Pharmacist Only Medicines (S3).
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 for supplying scheduled Pharmacy Medicines (S2) and Pharmacist Only Medicines (S3). At the time of publication, they are not, however, required to hold an occupational licence or to be certified as competent in this unit to supply scheduled medicines.
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 wound care 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.Identify any other health conditions and prescribed medications. 1.5.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.Recognise and act on information that indicates the potential for better customer outcomes with Pharmacist Only Medicines (S3). 2.3.Provide clear summary of customer information to pharmacist when referral is required. 2.4.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 Pharmacy Medicines (S2) or unscheduled medicines and products suited to customer needs within scope of own knowledge. 3.2.Identify and use opportunities to suggest companion products, aids and equipment relevant to desired health outcomes. 3.3.Interpret and clearly explain manufacturer’s product information and use questioning to confirm customer understanding of directions for product use. 3.4.Offer current and accurate information from recognised sources on related lifestyle and self-care practices and specialist support services. |
4. Maintain and develop knowledge of wound care, 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 wounds, wound care, and specialist support services from two different sources
respond to product and symptom
provide directions for product use and other information on lifestyle and self-care practices for each of the above customers
provide information on:
analgesics
anti-inflammatory medicines
antiseptic and saline washes
cold and hot packs
skincare products
surgical sundries
wound dressings
recommend as appropriate to customer needs, across the product suite, a mix of:
unscheduled medicines and products
Pharmacy Medicines (S2)
respond to the needs of each 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:
common wound types, causes and associated care requirements:
acute wounds caused by:
abrasions
cuts
grazes
lacerations
sprains
strains
chronic wounds including ulcers caused by poor circulation or medical conditions
contusion, bruising and soft tissue injury caused by:
blunt blow
knock or fall
punching
penetrating wounds (puncture) caused by sharp objects
surgical wounds
bites and stings
burns and scalds
basic understanding of anatomical structure of skin and its healing stages and indicators:
inflammatory or defensive stage
reconstruction stage
maturation or remodelling stage
common lifestyle factors that can cause or exacerbate infection and methods of self-care
groups at particular risk of sustaining wounds
groups at risk of infection
signs of infection in wounds
key terminology, jargon and common abbreviations for:
wound types and infectious conditions
medicines and products used to assist
overview of pharmacy product range for wound care:
location
which products in the range are Pharmacist Only Medicines (S3)
different types of wound care products, their use, their side effects and interactions that may contraindicate their use:
analgesics
anti-inflammatory medicines
antiseptic and saline washes
cold and hot packs
skincare products:
skin cleansers
moisturisers
sealants
adhesive removers
surgical sundries
wound dressings:
spray on dressings
gels, granules, pastes and beads
dry dressings
adhesive dressings
low adherent absorbent dressings
medicated bandages
non-stick pads
strapping, bandaging and sports tape
aids and equipment used for wound care:
features and uses
care and maintenance
sources and format of product, lifestyle and self-care information:
manufacturer product support materials:
Consumer Medicines Information (CMI)
product leaflets, brochures, booklets
internet sites
health-care fact sheets
industry and professional publications
medicines databases
pharmacy manuals
reputable health education internet sites
government and not-for profit organisations
organisational procedures for supplying wound care medicines and products and providing advice on wound care.
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 wound care products
a diverse, commercial product range of Pharmacy Medicines (S2) and unscheduled products for wound care:
analgesics
anti-inflammatory medicines
antiseptic and saline washes
cold and hot packs
skincare products
surgical sundries
wound dressings
customer brochures and leaflets providing information on:
directions for product use
care and maintenance of aids and equipment
lifestyle and self-care practices
specialist services that support wound care
organisational procedures for supplying wound care medicines and products and providing advice on wound care
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