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.
Pharmacy protocols and procedures may include:
interacting with the customer to establish:
who the product is for
symptoms
duration of symptoms
other existing health conditions
if the customer has seen the doctor lately
insulin or other diabetes medication being used by the customer
if the customer is registered under the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS)
when the customer last had food
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 condition and requirements.
Customer requirements may include:
a single blood glucose test
assistance with blood glucose testing
home testing equipment or products
insulin
regular blood glucose monitoring at intervals as advised by a doctor.
Triggers for referral to a pharmacist must include:
customer is:
a child under 2
an aged person
pregnant or breastfeeding
taking other medicines
customer has:
had the complaint for some time
other health conditions, such as asthma or high blood pressure
used the product before but is not satisfied with its efficacy
requested a large quantity of one or more medicines
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.
Customer may 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.
Diabetes types and related conditions may include:
type 1 diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes
type 2 diabetes or noninsulin dependent diabetes
gestational diabetes
hyperglycaemia or higher than normal blood sugar levels
hypoglycaemia or lower than normal blood sugar levels.
Regular intervals may include:
before:
breakfast (for fasting reading)
lunch
dinner
two hours after a meal
before rigorous exercise
if feeling unwell.
Prepare for blood glucose testingmay include:
methods and equipment for disinfection
taking the customer to a designated testing area
washing hands
wearing personal protective equipment, such as gloves
setting up equipment, including:
digital blood glucose testing equipment
adhesive bandages
alcohol wipes
sharps container
loading a trigger lancet device with a disposable lancet.
Alternative selected areamay include:
forearm
thigh
palm of hand.
Pharmacy blood glucose testing recordmay include:
pharmacy identification and telephone number
a customer copy and duplicate pharmacy file copy with the following content:
customer’s name and address
date
fasting or not fasting
insulin amounts
test time
blood glucose level
relevant notes regarding individual customer circumstances that may have impacted on the reading.
Use, care and maintenancemay include:
caring for strips, such as:
storing them in a dry place
replacing the cap immediately after use
checking that the use-by date is valid
operating equipment according to product manufacturer’s instructions, such as:
switching on and setting the digital meter
matching disposable lancets to machines
wiping down equipment with alcohol wipes
checking equipment calibration
replacing batteries in the digital meter
loading the trigger lancet device
loading the test strip into the testing meter
safely disposing of used lancets.
Common reasons for inaccurate readings may include:
using the wrong strip for the digital meter
using strips that have expired or been stored incorrectly
using the machine incorrectly
not washing hands before testing
incorrect calibration or set-up of the digital meter
low battery levels in the digital meter.
Personal blood glucose record may include:
day, month and time of day
insulin amounts used
test times and blood glucose levels for each test
comments.
Conditions relating to supply may include:
federal and state or territory legislation
industry codes of practice, standards and guidelines
the application of NDSS benefits for registered customers
pharmacy protocols and procedures relating to the sale of diabetesrelated medicines and products, aids and equipment.
Diabetes-related products, aids, test kits and equipment may include:
insulin
syringes
pens
lancets
prescribed diabetic medicines
blood glucose monitoring machines, reagent strips
urine glucose testing kits.
Relevant sourcesmay include:
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) website and phone line
pharmacist
manufacturer information
product brochures and leaflets supplied by a pharmacist
self-care and health-care information
website of support organisations, such as Diabetes Australia.
Specialist services and practitioners may include:
doctors
diabetic educators
pharmacist
support organisations, such as Diabetes Australia
other health-care specialists.

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:
demonstrate use, care and maintenance of blood glucose testing equipment and products and confirm customer understanding
perform blood glucose testing services according to pharmacy protocols and procedures
promote and apply NDSS benefits where relevant
recognise and act on situations or requests requiring referral to a pharmacist
recommend and sell blood glucose testing equipment to customers
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:
relevant pharmacy protocols and procedures
a range of real or simulated customers with different requirements
a range of products and equipment used in the treatment and management of diabetes
relevant documentation, such as:
diabetes product and service information
self-care advice
lifestyle advice
NDSS proformas and guidelines.
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:
performing blood glucose testing
demonstrating use, care and maintenance of blood glucose testing equipment
recommending and selling blood glucose testing equipment to a range of customers
advising on lifestyle and self-care practices
written or oral questions appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner to test relevant underpinning knowledge
role plays to confirm communication skills to meet diverse customer requirements
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.