SIRCDIS407 Assist in preparing

extemporaneous prescriptions

Release: 1
SIRCDIS407 Assist in preparing extemporaneous prescriptions Date this document was generated: 14 June 2012

SIRCDIS407 Assist in preparing extemporaneous prescriptions

Modification History
The version details of this endorsed unit are in the table below. The latest information is at the
top.
Release Comments

First This is a revised unit, based on and equivalent to SIRPDIS006A Assist in

Release preparing extemporaneous prescriptions.

Unit Descriptor
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to assist a
pharmacist to prepare ingredients and prepare non-sterile extemporaneous pharmaceutical
products from fixed formulas.

Application of the Unit

This unit applies to dispensary assistants working in the dispensary area of a community
pharmacy.

All tasks are performed according to pharmacy dispensary procedures and under the
supervision of a pharmacist.

Licensing/Regulatory Information
All relevant federal, state or territory legislation, Pharmacy Board of Australia Guidelines,
and established practice and quality assurance standards are to be met.

Pre-Requisites
SIRCDIS303 Assist in dispensing prescriptions

Employability Skills Information

This unit contains employability skills.

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SIRCDIS407 Assist in preparing extemporaneous prescriptions Date this document was generated: 14 June 2012

Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate
essential outcomes of achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further
a unit of competency. information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section
and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be
consistent with the evidence guide.
1. Prepare to measure [Link] the compounding worksheet and seek additional direction
and mix from the pharmacist where relevant.
ingredients. [Link] that compounding work area is ready for use.
[Link] measuring and mixing equipment appropriate for the task
and set up ready for use.
[Link] and fit appropriate personal protective equipment and
clothing.
[Link] personal hygiene procedures in preparation for handling
materials.
[Link] dispensary procedures for each stage of assisting in
preparing extemporaneous prescription medicines.
2. Collect and [Link] ingredient requirements specified by the compounding
measure required worksheet.
ingredients. [Link] and collect raw materials.
[Link] ingredient quantities to meet worksheet requirements.
3. Prepare [Link] ingredients by grinding, milling or heating as required to
compounded meet worksheet requirements.
products. [Link] ingredients as required to meet worksheet requirements.
[Link] prepared product to confirm product quality.
[Link] labelling and advice requirements with pharmacist and
prepare labels.
[Link] dispensing containers as specified by pharmacist.
[Link] labels and other relevant cautionary and advisory
information to containers as directed.
[Link] final compounded product to labelled containers.
[Link] completed compound items, prescription and worksheet to
a pharmacist for verification.
[Link] pharmacist worksheet calculations and alert pharmacist to
any discrepancies.
4. Maintain the [Link] unused ingredients to storage and adjust stock records as
compounding required.

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SIRCDIS407 Assist in preparing extemporaneous prescriptions Date this document was generated: 14 June 2012

materials and work [Link] inventory levels of raw materials and disposable
area. equipment.
[Link] storage conditions to ensure product integrity is
maintained.
[Link] of waste according to environmental requirements and
pharmacy waste management procedures.

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SIRCDIS407 Assist in preparing extemporaneous prescriptions Date this document was generated: 14 June 2012

Required Skills and Knowledge

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills
 communication skills to:
 provide relevant information to a pharmacist
 seek and respond to direction from a pharmacist
 initiative and enterprise skills to follow environmental protection practices, such as safely
disposing of waste according to pharmacy waste management procedures
 literacy skills to:
 interpret and follow pharmacy procedures
 interpret compounding worksheets and any additional pharmacist directions
 prepare labels in plain English
 record prescription information using appropriate pharmacopoeia name or active
ingredient and quantity
 numeracy skills to:
 follow pharmaceutical numerical conventions when recording quantities and units of
measurement
 measure ingredients accurately
 planning skills to plan and organise work to meet compounding workflow requirements
 teamwork skills to work in a dispensary team under the direction of a pharmacist
 technology skills to:
 package and label extemporaneous prescription items consistent with protocols and
procedures
 select and use appropriate mixing equipment, tools and techniques
 use measuring instrumentation
Required knowledge
 care and storage requirements for compounding equipment
 dispensary procedures relating to assisting a pharmacist in the preparation of
extemporaneous prescription medicines
 equipment calibration schedules and responsibilities, and procedures for checking
calibration
 cleaning methods and procedures for:
 use with water-based ingredients
 use with oil-based ingredients
 disinfecting equipment and surfaces
common terms and abbreviations used in prescription writing as detailed in the Australian
Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook (APF) of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia
 compounding work area equipment and layout
 hazards and control methods associated with cross-contamination

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 methods to measure liquids, including accurate reading of meniscus

 mixing techniques to achieve even distribution of ingredients, including levigation
 work health and safety (WHS) information and procedures, including:
 hazards and risks associated with materials and handling processes to be used
 information, such as chemical hazard codes and symbols
 location and purpose of material safety data sheets (MSDS)
 personal limitations and responsibilities of the pharmacy assistant assisting a pharmacist
preparing extemporaneous prescriptions
 properties and characteristics of ointments, creams, gels and pastes
 housekeeping checklist and responsibilities
 raw material characteristics, including:
 quality or grades
 forms
 strengths
 storage conditions for ingredients before and after compounding

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SIRCDIS407 Assist in preparing extemporaneous prescriptions Date this document was generated: 14 June 2012

Evidence Guide
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the
performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment
Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for Evidence of the ability to:

assessment and evidence  apply pharmacy protocols and procedures when assisting
required to demonstrate with the preparation of extemporaneous prescriptions
competency in this unit
 apply relevant WHS and personal hygiene practices
 communicate effectively with a pharmacist to meet
compounding requirements
 follow procedures for handling and storing dispensary
materials
 maintain housekeeping standards in the compounding area
and handle and dispose of waste according to
environmental and waste handling procedures
 plan and carry out work to meet compounding workflow
requirements.
Context of and specific Assessment must ensure that competency is:
resources for assessment  consistently demonstrated over a period of time and
observed by the assessor or the technical expert working in
partnership with the assessor as described in the
assessment
 demonstrated in a real workplace environment that meets
Pharmacy Board of Australia and relevant industry
standards for dispensary layout and equipment
requirements for supplying extemporaneous prescriptions.
Assessment must ensure access to:
 relevant pharmacy procedures
 access to state and territory legislation and guidelines
where appropriate
 dispensary record-keeping systems
 relevant documentation, such as:
 real or simulated prescriptions
 compounding worksheets
 raw materials or ingredients and storage areas
 cleaning and disinfecting materials and equipment
 clothing and equipment that ensure WHS.
Method of assessment A range of assessment methods should be used to assess
practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are

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appropriate for this unit:

 a qualified workplace assessor or a technical expert
working in partnership with the assessor to observe the
dispensary assistant performing a range of compounding
activities
 written or oral questions appropriate to the language and
literacy level of the learner to test relevant underpinning
knowledge
 review of third-party reports and evidence that indicate the
completion of timely and accurate workplace
documentation and records relevant to compounding
operations.
Guidance information for Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry
assessment sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

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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, if used in
the performance criteria, is detailed below. 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) may also be included.
 data fields, such as:
Compounding worksheet may
include:  date
 formula name
 formula source
 ingredients
 quantities
 source
 batch number
 expiry date
 procedure and notes
 prescribing doctor
 copy of label
 signature.
 heating equipment
Measuring and mixing
equipment may include:  mixing slabs
 mortar and pestle
 tweezers
 syringes
 spatulas and mixing rods
 volumetric containers, such as beakers and measuring
cylinders.
 closed footwear
Personal protective
equipment and clothing may  face masks
include:  hairnets
 gloves
 lab coats
 safety glasses or goggles.
 no food or drink in the compounding work area
Personal hygiene procedures
may include:  no food stored next to ingredients used in compounding
 no jewellery or cosmetics, such as hand moisturiser or
nail polish
 tying back hair or using a hairnet
 washing hands before and after compounding.
 checking worksheet calculations
Dispensary procedures may

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SIRCDIS407 Assist in preparing extemporaneous prescriptions Date this document was generated: 14 June 2012

include:  confirming quality requirements are met

 filling compounded products into dispensary containers
and preparing and attaching labels and relevant cautionary
advice
 mixing ingredients
 protecting safety of self and product
 selecting required equipment and preparing it for use
 selecting measuring instrumentation appropriate to the
volumes required.
Compounded products may  one-off products prepared for a specific patient to an
include: extemporaneous prescription, such as:
 dermatological preparations (simple creams)
 Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook
formulations for both adults and children
 reconstituted products
 combined proprietary products
 modified formulations, e.g. to remove colours or
preservatives.
 clearly displayed expiry dates on stock
Storage conditions may
include:  containers that are tightly sealed
 locations that protect product from light, humidity and
heat
 temperature-controlled storage.
Waste management may  following dispensary procedures to dispose of materials
include: that could be hazardous to the environment
 sorting waste according to waste disposal requirements,
e.g. placing sharps in designated container
 using spill-control procedures as required.

Unit Sector(s)
Community Pharmacy

Competency field
Dispensary

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