SIRPDIS003A Assist in dispensary
operations
Revision Number: 1
SIRPDIS003A Assist in dispensary operations Date this document was generated: 26 May 2012
SIRPDIS003A Assist in dispensary operations
Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor This unit covers skills and knowledge required to work in a
dispensary to assist a pharmacist to prepare prescriptions and
maintain records.
Application of the Unit
Application of the unit This unit applies to community pharmacy employees working as
dispensary assistants. Work is carried out under direction of a
pharmacist.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not applicable.
Pre-Requisites
Prerequisite units SIRPPKS001A Support the sale of pharmacy and
pharmacist-only medicines.
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© Commonwealth of Australia, 2012 Service Skills Australia
SIRPDIS003A Assist in dispensary operations Date this document was generated: 26 May 2012
Employability Skills Information
Employability skills The required outcomes described in this unit contain applicable
facets of employability skills. The Employability Skills
Summary of the qualification in which this unit is packaged will
assist in identifying employability skills requirements.
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Elements describe the Performance criteria describe the required performance needed
essential outcomes of a unit to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold
of competency. italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the
required skills and knowledge and/or the range statement.
Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence
guide.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
1 Identify job roles and 1.1 Identify scope and boundaries of roles and
functions within a responsibilities of dispensary assistants and
dispensary. pharmacists.
1.2 Read and understand common terms and abbreviations
used in prescription writing.
1.3 Identify prescribed medicine product categories.
1.4 Identify dispensary layout and workflow features.
2 Assemble and prepare 2.1 Refer customer history to a pharmacist.
prescription items. 2.2 Record prescription and customer data and flag details
requiring pharmacist attention.
2.3 Prepare labels to provide required information in a form
that is clear and legible.
2.4 Select prescribed medicines and scan as required.
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© Commonwealth of Australia, 2012 Service Skills Australia
SIRPDIS003A Assist in dispensary operations Date this document was generated: 26 May 2012
ELEMENT PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
2.5 Attach labels and other relevant cautionary and advisory
advice to containers.
2.6 Check that label information is legible and complete.
2.7 Supply completed prescription items and paperwork to a
pharmacist for verification.
2.8 Maintain dispensary systems and records
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© Commonwealth of Australia, 2012 Service Skills Australia
SIRPDIS003A Assist in dispensary operations Date this document was generated: 26 May 2012
Required Skills and Knowledge
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.
The following skills must be assessed as part of this unit:
apply literacy skills to read and interpret prescription information, record customer
information and prepare labels in plain English
demonstrate procedures for assembling and preparing prescription items consistent with
protocols and procedures
apply protocols and procedures for selecting bio-equivalent generic medicines
use dispensary information system to maintain customer history details and identify alerts
or warnings for pharmacist referral
maintain dispensary to meet good housekeeping requirements
plan and organise work to meet dispensary workflow requirements.
The following knowledge must be assessed as part of this unit:
pharmacy policies, protocols and procedures relating to assisting in dispensary activities
dispensary workflow and layout
procedures for controlling accessing and maintaining security of the dispensary
sources of information on common terms and abbreviations used in writing prescriptions
major drug categories
literacy skills to confirm that label information is legible and expressed in plain English
communication methods and systems to operate as part of a team and provide relevant
information to a pharmacist and other pharmacy staff as required
dispensary databases and information systems
pricing policy and procedures
dispensary housekeeping checklist and responsibilities
role boundaries and responsibilities of the dispensary assistant in assisting a pharmacist
with dispensing activities
customer entitlements to privacy and confidentiality.
Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE
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
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© Commonwealth of Australia, 2012 Service Skills Australia
SIRPDIS003A Assist in dispensary operations Date this document was generated: 26 May 2012
EVIDENCE GUIDE
Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment Evidence of the following is essential:
and evidence required to applies pharmacy protocols and procedures when
demonstrate competency in assisting with dispensary operations, including:
this unit
selecting and assembling medicines to meet
prescription requirements
labelling and packaging dispensed items according
to procedure and pharmacist direction
maintaining customer and prescription data
identifying situations or requests requiring referral
to a pharmacist and referring appropriately
respects and protects customer privacy when
communicating with customers and maintaining
customer records
locates relevant information, such as common
abbreviations and terms used in writing prescriptions
recognises situations requiring referral to a pharmacist
or other pharmacy staff according to pharmacy policy
maintains housekeeping standards in the dispensary
plans and carries out work to meet dispensary
workflow requirements.
Context of and specific Assessment must ensure:
resources for assessment demonstration of dispensing activities over a period of
time
performance is observed by the assessor, or the
technical expert working in partnership with the
assessor.
assessment must be undertaken in a real workplace
environment that meets Pharmacy Board and relevant
industry standards for dispensary operations
access to relevant pharmacy protocols and procedures.
access to state or territory legislation and guidelines
where appropriate
access to dispensary record-keeping systems
access to relevant documentation, such as prescriptions
(real or simulated)
access to a range of customers with different
requirements (real or simulated).
access to a range of medicines and related equipment.
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© Commonwealth of Australia, 2012 Service Skills Australia
SIRPDIS003A Assist in dispensary operations Date this document was generated: 26 May 2012
EVIDENCE GUIDE
Methods of assessment A range of assessment methods should be used to assess
practical skills and knowledge. The following examples
are appropriate for this unit:
observation of the candidate in the workplace
performing a range of dispensing tasks, over sufficient
time to demonstrate handling of a range of
contingencies.
written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and
understanding.
evidence that completion of workplace documentation
and records relevant to compounding operations is
timely and accurate.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the
industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
Assessing employability skills Employability skills are integral to effective performance
in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry
sectors. How these skills are applied varies between
occupations and qualifications due to the different work
functions and contexts.
Employability skills embedded in this unit should be
assessed holistically in the context of the job role and with
other relevant units that make up the skill set or
qualification.
Range Statement
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. Bold italicised wording in the
performance criteria is detailed below.
Assisting in dispensary federal and state or territory legislation
operations must comply with: industry codes of practice, standards and guidelines
community pharmacy policies, protocols and
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© Commonwealth of Australia, 2012 Service Skills Australia
SIRPDIS003A Assist in dispensary operations Date this document was generated: 26 May 2012
RANGE STATEMENT
procedures relating to assisting a pharmacist in
dispensary operations.
Scope and boundaries of roles federal and state or territory legislation and regulations
and responsibilities must comply business mode, policies, protocols and procedures of
with: the community pharmacy
Common terms and Abbreviations as detailed in the Australian Pharmaceutical
abbreviations used in Formulary (APF), Pharmaceutical Society of Australia,
prescription writing refers to: and in the British Pharmacopoeia (BP), Royal
Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.
Dispensary layout and workflow sequential positioning along shelves
may include: alphabetical arrangement
controlled substances under specific storage conditions
grouping of pharmacist-only medicine
refrigeration.
Details requiring pharmacist previous medical history
attention may include: previous experience and reactions to the medication
allergies
possible interactions and contra-indications.
Selection of prescribed desired form of medication
medicines may include: required quantity
appropriate packaging.
Attach labels requires: correct labels are used
placement of labels does not obscure expiry date and
batch number.
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© Commonwealth of Australia, 2012 Service Skills Australia
SIRPDIS003A Assist in dispensary operations Date this document was generated: 26 May 2012
RANGE STATEMENT
Label information may include: name of customer
details of pharmacy
date of dispensing
directions for use
prescription number or code
special storage requirements, such as cold chain
expiry date
generic and brand names
strength and form of medication
ancillary cautionary or advisory labels.
Maintain dispensary systems reviewing and updating customer medication records
and records may include: maintaining prescriber records
maintaining medication and drug records
maintaining dispensing and prescription records
maintaining supply of cautionary and advisory
information
dispensing activity summaries
reconciling prescription records with claims
documentation
updating system software
carrying out data back-up.
Unit Sector(s)
Sector Community Pharmacy
Competency field
Competency field Dispensary
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© Commonwealth of Australia, 2012 Service Skills Australia