Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Signs of infectionmay include:
localised heat in the area surrounding the wound
pus
nausea.
Wound care medicines and products may include:
analgesics
anti-inflammatory medicines
antiseptic and saline washes
cold and hot packs
complementary medicines
Pharmacy Medicines
Pharmacist Only Medicines
Prescription Only Medicines
skincare products, such as:
skin cleansers
moisturisers
sealants
adhesive removers
surgical sundries
wound dressings, such as:
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.
Sources of informationmay include:
health-care information
pharmacy or supplier product leaflets, brochures and manuals
manufacturer information
industry and professional publications
medicines databases.
Protocols and procedures may include:
interacting with the customer to establish:
who the product is for
symptoms
duration of symptoms
other existing health conditions
other medications being used by the customer
where the wound is
time of last tetanus shot where relevant to the wound
if they have seen a doctor
assessing:
customer responses to questions
own confidence that the product or service requested by the customer or envisaged by the pharmacy assistant is right for the customer’s symptoms.
Customer requirements may include:
wound care services
wound care products, medications, aids or equipment
advice on wound management.
Triggers for referral to a pharmacist may include:
customer who is:
a child under 2
an aged person
pregnant or breastfeeding
taking other medicines
customer who has:
had the complaint for some time
other health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure
used the product before but is not satisfied with its efficacy
requested a large quantity of one or more medicines or products
customer appears to be:
sick
angry
confused
dissatisfied
uncertain
under the influence of drugs or alcohol
pharmacy assistant is unsure and needs confirmation of the medicine selected, even if the product has been requested by name
request for Pharmacist Only Medicine.
Customermay include people:
from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying mental and physical abilities
visiting the pharmacy, contacting the pharmacy by phone, or in their own home
with special needs, such as:
the elderly
infants
who are:
drug or alcohol affected
emotionally unstable
mentally unstable
physically unwell.
Directions for product use may include:
how to use wound care products and medicines correctly
how often to change dressings or use medicine
how to avoid infection
most common and important adverse effects
other lifestyle or management tips for the condition
to contact the pharmacy if the product or medicine does not help or the symptoms persist.
Conditions relating to supplymay include:
federal and state or territory legislation
industry codes of practice, standards and guidelines
pharmacy protocols and procedures relating to the sale of wound care medicines and products.
Specialist services and practitioners may include:
doctors
pharmacists
support organisations
other health-care specialists
relevant websites.

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 interacting with customers and assessing their wound care requirements
apply knowledge of common wound types and associated care requirements when recommending and selling wound care medicines, equipment, products and aids
provide information to customers in ways appropriate to customer needs and demonstrate techniques to confirm understanding
recognise and act on situations or requests requiring referral to a pharmacist
refer to relevant sources of information to assist the customer and maintain personal currency of knowledge.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure that competency is:
observed by the assessor or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor as described in the assessment guidelines
demonstrated across a range of customers over sufficient time to include handling of a range of contingencies
demonstrated in a real or simulated pharmacy environment, which may include customer interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the pharmacy.
Assessment must ensure access to:
a range of real or simulated customers with different wound care requirements
a range of wound care products
pharmacy protocols and procedures
relevant documentation, such as:
wound care product and service information
self-care and lifestyle advice.
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:
observation of the candidate in the workplace:
consulting with customers to identify their wound care requirements
providing advice on wound care and supplying wound care medicines, products, equipment and aids
advising on self-care
written or oral questions appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner to test relevant underpinning knowledge
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance
role plays to confirm communication skills to meet diverse customer requirements.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.