Unit of competency details

Release 

Comments 

First Release

This is a revised unit, based on and equivalent to SIRPDIS006A Assist in preparing extemporaneous prescriptions.

SIRCDIS303

Assist in dispensing prescriptions

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further 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 and mix ingredients.

1.1.Obtain the compounding worksheet  and seek additional direction from the pharmacist where relevant.

1.2.Confirm that compounding work area is ready for use.

1.3.Select measuring and mixing equipment  appropriate for the task and set up ready for use.

1.4.Select and fit appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing .

1.5.Follow personal hygiene procedures  in preparation for handling materials.

1.6.Follow dispensary procedures  for each stage of assisting in preparing extemporaneous prescription medicines.

2. Collect and measure required ingredients.

2.1.Identify ingredient requirements specified by the compounding worksheet.

2.2.Locate and collect raw materials.

2.3.Measure ingredient quantities to meet worksheet requirements.

3. Prepare compounded products.

3.1.Prepare ingredients by grinding, milling or heating as required to meet worksheet requirements.

3.2.Combine ingredients as required to meet worksheet requirements.

3.3.Inspect prepared product to confirm product quality.

3.4.Confirm labelling and advice requirements with pharmacist and prepare labels.

3.5.Collect dispensing containers as specified by pharmacist.

3.6.Attach labels and other relevant cautionary and advisory information to containers as directed.

3.7.Transfer final compounded product  to labelled containers.

3.8.Supply completed compound items, prescription and worksheet to a pharmacist for verification.

3.9.Check pharmacist worksheet calculations and alert pharmacist to any discrepancies.

4. Maintain the compounding materials and work area.

4.1.Return unused ingredients to storage and adjust stock records as required.

4.2.Maintain inventory levels of raw materials and disposable equipment.

4.3.Monitor storage conditions  to ensure product integrity is maintained.

4.4.Dispose of waste according to environmental requirements and pharmacy waste management  procedures.

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
• 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

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 assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Evidence of the ability to:

• apply pharmacy protocols and procedures when assisting with the preparation of extemporaneous prescriptions
• 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 resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure that competency is:

• 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 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 assessment 

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

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.

Compounding worksheet  may include:

• data fields, such as:

• date
• formula name
• formula source
• ingredients
• quantities
• source
• batch number
• expiry date
• procedure and notes
• prescribing doctor
• copy of label
• signature.

Measuring and mixing equipment  may include:

• heating equipment
• mixing slabs
• mortar and pestle
• tweezers
• syringes
• spatulas and mixing rods
• volumetric containers, such as beakers and measuring cylinders.

Personal protective equipment and clothing  may include:

• closed footwear
• face masks
• hairnets
• gloves
• lab coats
• safety glasses or goggles.

Personal hygiene procedures  may include:

• no food or drink in the compounding work area
• 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.

Dispensary procedures  may include:

• checking worksheet calculations
• 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 include:

• one-off products prepared for a specific patient to an 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.

Storage conditions  may include:

• clearly displayed expiry dates on stock
• containers that are tightly sealed
• locations that protect product from light, humidity and heat
• temperature-controlled storage.

Waste management  may include:

• following dispensary procedures to dispose of materials 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.