Modification History
Not applicable.
Description
This qualification provides the skills and knowledge for an individual to be competent to work in a community pharmacy. Likely functions within the community pharmacy industry for those who achieve this level of competency include developing specialist product knowledge to support customers to prevent and/or manage health conditions, assisting in the dispensary, merchandising and marketing products and controlling stock, and basic staff development and training.
The work role of the community pharmacy/dispensary assistant is defined by the pharmacy registering authorities (state and territory Pharmacy Boards). When selling pharmacy and pharmacist-only medicines, the pharmacy assistant provides a filter to identify customer information and requirements for referral to the pharmacist.
The structure of this qualification recognises the diversity of business models that characterise the community pharmacy industry. It supports multi-skilling and participation in work teams as appropriate to the size and structure of the business.
This qualification is suitable for an Australian Apprenticeship pathway.
Job roles
Pharmacy assistant
Pathways Information
Not applicable.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not applicable.
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements
There are no prerequisites for entry to this qualification.
Employability Skills Summary
EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS SUMMARY
SIR30107 Certificate III in Community Pharmacy
The following table contains a summary of the employability skills required by the community pharmacy industry for this qualification. The employability skills facets described here are broad industry requirements that may vary depending on qualification packaging options.
Employability skill |
Industry /enterprise requirements for this qualification include : |
Communication |
Use communication skills to establish customer requirements, answer questions and provide information on pharmacy products and services. Communicate about highly personal and sensitive information that requires empathy, tact and confidentiality. Manage difficult, elderly, ill or drug affected customers. Be familiar with technical terms used to describe products and/or used in product and health care information. |
Problem solving |
Solve problems within a framework of established business procedures and protocols and with reference to the pharmacist. Source information and services to meet customer needs and requests. This involves evaluating product information, for example, to distinguish between hearsay and evidence-based product information to support appropriate customer choices. |
Initiative and enterprise |
Use initiative in identifying the most appropriate products and services for customers and to maintain current knowledge of product range and market trends. Opportunities for initiative and enterprise occur within established business procedures and protocols and with reference to the pharmacist. |
Teamwork |
Work closely with the pharmacist to assist in managing the sale of appropriate products and services to community pharmacy customers. This may include supporting other pharmacy team members to carry out their role as required and according to business size and structure. |
Planning and organising |
Understand the boundaries of their job role, established by legislation, guidelines and business protocols and procedures. Assist the pharmacist in managing the sale of products including scheduled medicines. This can include managing information systems, stock management and display and ensuring that procedures and protocols are implemented. |
Self-management |
Understand the legal context, including the boundaries of the job role and also an awareness of the special requirements for selling medicines and managing scheduled medicines. This involves a detailed understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the pharmacy assistant and how these relate to the role of the pharmacist. Take responsibility for their own time management and actively seek and respond to advice and feedback. |
Learning |
Maintain current knowledge about the products and services sold by their pharmacy. Access a range of sources of information and expertise to update their own knowledge and provide current information to customers. |
Technology |
Use computer-based information and database systems. Sell a range of products including kits, aids and equipment. Understand how these items operate, assist the customer in appropriate selection depending on their need/capacity, demonstrate safe use and provide information on care and maintenance as appropriate. |
Due to the high proportion of electives required by this qualification, the industry/enterprise requirements described above for each employability skill are representative of community pharmacy in general and may not reflect specific job roles. Learning and assessment strategies for this qualification should be based on the requirements of the units of competency for this qualification.
Packaging Rules
QUALIFICATION RULES To achieve a Certificate III in Community Pharmacy, 34 units must be completed:
Elective units selected must be additional to those already counted towards a lower level qualification within this Training Package. In all cases selection of electives must be guided by the job outcome, local industry requirements and the characteristics of this qualification (as per the AQF descriptors). |
CORE UNITS |
|
HLTCSD306B |
Respond effectively to difficult or challenging behaviour |
SIRPDIS001A |
Accept prescriptions and deliver medicine |
SIRPPKS001A |
Support the sale of pharmacy and pharmacist-only medicines |
SIRPPKS002A |
Identify, locate and sell products related to allergies |
SIRPPKS003A |
Identify, locate and sell analgesic and anti-inflammatory products |
SIRPPKS005A |
Identify, locate and sell cough and cold products |
SIRPPKS006A |
Identify, locate and sell eye, ear and oral care products |
SIRPPKS007A |
Identify, locate and sell products for gastro-intestinal conditions |
SIRPPKS008A |
Identify, locate and sell first aid and wound care products |
SIRPPKS009A |
Identify, locate and sell products for skin and fungal conditions |
SIRPPKS010A |
Assist in the management of pharmacy and pharmacist-only medicines |
SIRXCCS001A |
Apply point-of-sale handling procedures |
SIRXCCS002A |
Interact with customers |
SIRXCLM001A |
Organise and maintain work areas |
SIRXCOM001A |
Communicate in the workplace |
SIRXIND001A |
Work effectively in a retail environment |
SIRXINV001A |
Perform stock control procedures |
SIRXMER001A |
Merchandise products |
SIRXOHS001A |
Apply safe working practices |
SIRXRSK001A |
Minimise theft |
SIRXSLS001A |
Sell products and services |
ELECTIVE UNITS : GROUP A |
|
Dispensary |
|
SIRPDIS003A |
Assist in dispensary operations |
SIRPDIS004A |
Assist in dispensary stock control |
SIRPDIS005A |
Assist in preparing dose administration containers |
SIRPDIS006A |
Assist in preparing extemporaneous prescriptions |
Community Pharmacy : Product |
|
SIRPPKS011A |
Provide information, products and services on asthma |
SIRPPKS012A |
Provide information, products and services on blood pressure |
SIRPPKS013A |
Provide information, products and services on complementary medicine |
SIRPPKS014A |
Provide information, products and services on diabetes |
SIRPPKS015A |
Provide information, products and services on diet, nutrition and weight management |
SIRPPKS016A |
Provide information, products and services to support home health care |
SIRPPKS017A |
Provide information, products and services on pregnancy and maternal health |
SIRPPKS018A |
Provide information, products and services on smoking cessation |
SIRPPKS019A |
Provide information, products and services on women's and men's health |
SIRPPKS020A |
Provide information, products and services on wound care |
ELECTIVE UNITS : GROUP B |
|
Administration |
|
SIRXADM001A |
Apply retail office procedures |
SIRXADM002A |
Coordinate retail office |
Finance |
|
SIRXFIN002A |
Perform retail finance duties |
SIRXFIN003A |
Produce financial reports |
Human Resources Management |
|
BSBWOR301A |
Organise personal work priorities and development |
TAAASS301A |
Contribute to assessment |
TAADEL301A |
Provide training through instruction and demonstration of work skills |
Inventory |
|
SIRXINV002A |
Maintain and order stock |
Merchandising |
|
SIRXMER002A |
Coordinate merchandise presentation |
SIRPMER001A |
Market and promote pharmacy products and services area |
ELECTIVE UNITS : GROUP B (CONTINUED ) |
|
Management and Leadership |
|
SIRXMGT001A |
Coordinate work teams |
SIRXMGT002A |
Maintain employee relations |
Quality and Innovation |
|
SIRXQUA005A |
Maintain operational quality and productivity |
Risk Management and Security |
|
SIRXRSK003A |
Apply store security systems and procedures |
Sales |
|
SIRXSLS003A |
Coordinate sales performance |
SIRXSLS004A |
Build relationships with customers |
ELECTIVE UNITS : GROUP C |
|
Computer Operations and ICT Management |
|
SIRXICT001A |
Operate retail technology |
Dispensary |
|
SIRPDIS002A |
Deliver prescription medicines to customers outside the pharmacy |
Finance |
|
SIRXFIN001A |
Balance point-of-sale terminal |
Community Pharmacy : Product |
|
SIRPPKS004A |
Identify, locate and sell baby and infant products |
Retail Product Knowledge |
|
SIRXRPK001A |
Recommend health and nutritional products |
SIRXRPK002A |
Recommend hair, beauty and cosmetic products and services |