-SQA-SCOTTISH QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY HIGHER NATIONAL UNIT SPECIFICATION GENERAL INFORMATION -Unit number- 7690077 -Unit title- PROCEDURES FOR PHARMACY DISPENSARY CHECKING TECHNICIANS -Superclass category- -Date of publication- (month and year) -Originating centre for unit- PE NOVEMBER 1997 SCOTTISH QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY ----------------------------------------- -DESCRIPTION- GENERAL COMPETENCE FOR UNIT: Developing the competences required to carry out the role of a pharmacy dispensary checking technician in a pharmacy. OUTCOMES: 1. explain the role of the pharmacy dispensary checking technician in ensuring the safe and effective dispensing of prescribed medicines; 2. carry out a check for potential problems in the dispensing of prescribed medicines; 3. identify the appropriate requirements to ensure the safe and effective use of dispensed medicines; 4. identify the appropriate dispensing process for non-sterile extemporaneous medicines; 5. identify the procedures necessary to rectify errors and avoid potential errors in the dispensing of prescribed medicines; 6. perform accuracy checks to ensure the safe dispensing of prescribed medicines. CREDIT VALUE: 2 HN Credits
ACCESS STATEMENT: The National Certificate programme in Pharmaceutical Sciences or SVQ Pharmacy Services Level III or equivalent, plus a minimum of two years employment as a qualified pharmacy technician. Candidates must be employed within a pharmacy which has defined standard operating procedures for pharmacy dispensary checking technicians. ----------------------------------------- Additional copies of this unit can be obtained from: The Committee and Administration Unit, SQA, Hanover House, 24 Douglas Street, Glasgow G2 7NQ, (Tel: 0141-242 2168). At the time of publication the cost is 1.50 per unit (minimum order 5.00). 2
HIGHER NATIONAL UNIT SPECIFICATION STATEMENT OF STANDARDS Unit number: 7690077 Unit title: PROCEDURES FOR PHARMACY DISPENSARY CHECKING TECHNICIANS Acceptable performance in this Unit will be the satisfactory achievement of the standards set out in this part of the specification. All sections of the statement of standards are mandatory and cannot be altered without reference to SQA. OUTCOME 1. EXPLAIN THE ROLE OF THE PHARMACY DISPENSARY CHECKING TECHNICIAN IN ENSURING THE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE DISPENSING OF PRESCRIBED MEDICINES PERFORMANCE CRITERIA (a) (b) (c) The explanation of the role of the pharmacy dispensary checking technician in relation to the role of the pharmacist is valid to ensure the safe and effective dispensing of prescribed medicines. The explanation of the role of the pharmacy dispensary checking technician with respect to the accepted checking procedures is valid to ensure the safe and effective dispensing of prescribed medicines. The explanation of the role of the pharmacy dispensary checking technician with respect to the management of the dispensary is valid to ensure the safe and effective dispensing of prescribed medicines. RANGE STATEMENT Checking procedures: professional check; accuracy check. EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS Written/oral evidence of the candidate s ability to explain the role of the pharmacy dispensary checking technician in ensuring the safe and effective dispensing of prescribed medicines. Satisfactory achievement will be demonstrated by, for pc (a), a definition of the roles and responsibilities of the pharmacy technician relative to those of the pharmacist in ensuring safe and effective dispensing; the parameters of the responsibilities of the pharmacy checking technician vis à vis the pharmacist; for 3
pc(b), the explanation should address the reasons for the importance of the checking procedures to be followed for different types of prescription, including: (i) (ii) (iii) when to refer to the pharmacist; the parameters of the pharmacy dispensary checking technician responsibilities; what to do in situations of errors occurring; for pc(c), the explanation should address the operational management of the pharmacy dispensary department in which the candidate is employed, covering line management and skill mix, within the department. OUTCOME 2. CARRY OUT A CHECK FOR POTENTIAL PROBLEMS IN THE DISPENSING OF PRESCRIBED MEDICINES PERFORMANCE CRITERIA (a) (b) The identification of potential drug interactions in prescriptions is correct, with respect to the role of the pharmacy dispensary checking technician. The identification of inappropriate dosage regimens for patients in given prescriptions is correct, with respect to the role of the pharmacy dispensary checking technician. RANGE STATEMENT Patients: child; adult; elderly patient. EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS Written/oral evidence of the candidate s ability to carry out a check for potential problems in the dispensing of prescribed medicines. Satisfactory achievement will be demonstrated by the candidate identifying, for a minimum of ten specimen prescriptions covering from three to five drug interactions, all drug interactions correctly and all inappropriate dosage regimens covering the patient categories in the range. 4
OUTCOME 3. IDENTIFY THE APPROPRIATE REQUIREMENTS TO ENSURE THE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE USE OF DISPENSED MEDICINES PERFORMANCE CRITERIA (a) (b) (c) The labelling requirements for dispensed medicines are according to the requirements of the Plain English Guidelines for dispensed medicines. The identification of the requirements for the use of delivery devices/compliance aids is appropriate to ensure the safe and effective use of dispensed medicines. The identification of the needs of patients with physical disabilities is appropriate to ensure the safe and effective use of dispensed medicines. RANGE STATEMENT Physical disabilities: visual impairment; impairment of dexterity. Delivery devices/compliance aids for: oral solid preparations; liquid preparations, inhaled preparations; topical preparations. Types of preparation: oral; solid; liquid; inhaled; topical. EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS Written/or oral evidence of the ability to identify the requirements which are appropriate for ensuring the safe and effective use of dispensed medicines. Satisfactory achievement will be demonstrated by the candidate for pc(a) preparing a label which complies with the requirements of the Plain English guidelines for at least one example of each type of preparation in the range; for pc(b), identifying the requirements for the use of at least one delivery device/compliance aid for each type of preparation in the range; for pc(c), identifying the needs of patients with physical disabilities covering at least one example of each type of preparation in the range; physical disabilities in the range should be covered at least once. 5
OUTCOME 4. IDENTIFY THE APPROPRIATE DISPENSING PROCESS FOR NON-STERILE EXTEMPORANEOUS MEDICINES PERFORMANCE CRITERIA (a) The identification of the formula is appropriate for the preparation of specified quantities of non-sterile extemporaneous medicines. (b) The identification of necessary COSHH requirements is appropriate for the safe preparation of non-sterile extemporaneous medicines. (c) The identification of the compounding method is appropriate for the preparation of specified quantities of non-sterile extemporaneous medicines. (d) The identification of a suitable container is appropriate for the packaging of non-sterile extemporaneous medicines. (e) The identification of the expiry date is appropriate for non-sterile extemporaneous medicines. (f) The identification of the labelling requirements is appropriate for non-sterile extemporaneous medicines. RANGE STATEMENT Non-sterile extemporaneous medicines: powders; liquid preparations; ointment or cream. Labelling requirements: contents; administration directions; storage requirements; patient details. EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS Written or oral evidence of the candidate s ability to identify the appropriate dispensing process for non-sterile extemporaneous medicines. Satisfactory achievement will be demonstrated by the candidate identifying the requirements in pcs(a)-(f) on a minimum of one occasion for each type of nonsterile extemporaneous medicine in the range. 6
OUTCOME 5. IDENTIFY THE PROCEDURES NECESSARY TO RECTIFY ERRORS AND AVOID POTENTIAL ERRORS IN THE DISPENSING OF PRESCRIBED MEDICINES PERFORMANCE CRITERIA (a) (b) (c) The identification of errors/potential errors in dispensed medicines ensures the safe and effective dispensing of prescribed medicines. The identification of the procedures necessary to rectify errors in dispensed medicines ensures the safe and effective dispensing of prescribed medicines. The identification of the procedures necessary to avoid potential errors in dispensed medicines ensures the safe and effective dispensing of prescribed medicines. RANGE STATEMENT Types of errors: preparation; labelling; packaging; completeness of prescription; quantity; ancillary equipment. EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS Written or oral evidence of the candidate s ability to identify the procedures necessary to rectify errors and avoid potential errors in the dispensing of prescribed medicines. The evidence should cover a minimum of 20 simulated examples of dispensed prescribed medicines. Satisfactory achievement will be demonstrated by the candidate, for pc(a), in a minimum of 20 examples of dispensed prescribed medicines, correctly identifying all errors/potential errors (covering a minimum of ten) in the range statement; for pcs (b) and (c), identifying the procedures necessary to rectify all errors/avoid potential errors in dispensed medicines for a minimum of twenty examples of dispensed prescribed medicines and at least ten errors. 7
OUTCOME 6. PERFORM ACCURACY CHECKS TO ENSURE THE SAFE DISPENSING OF PRESCRIBED MEDICINES PERFORMANCE CRITERIA (a) The accuracy check is appropriate with respect to legality and the professional check the quality and quantity of the prescribed medicine the packaging and labelling of the prescribed medicine provision of additional information and ancillary equipment completion of documentation and in-house patient counselling procedures the action taken in response to interruptions. (b) (c) The provision of feedback is appropriate with respect to the occurrence of errors in the dispensing of prescribed medicines. Interpersonal skills used when providing feedback are consistent with ensuring good working practices and relationships. RANGE STATEMENT Prescribed medicines for hospital pharmacy: Discharge prescription medicines; out - patient prescription medicines; extemporaneously dispensed medicines; clinical trial medicines; non-stock ward medicines. Prescribed medicines for community pharmacy: medicines prescribed on GP10 prescriptions; medicines prescribed on private prescriptions; medicines prescribed on dental prescriptions. EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS Performance evidence in the workplace is required to show that the candidate can perform accuracy checks to ensure the safe dispensing of prescribed medicines. This should cover a minimum of 1000 dispensed items over a minimum period of 12 weeks and there should be an opportunity to cover all variables in the range during that period. Satisfactory achievement for pcs(a) and (c) will be demonstrated by the candidate meeting the criteria in the performance of accuracy checks for a minimum of 1,000 dispensed items; for any errors which have been made in the 1,000 dispensed items, pc (b), providing appropriate feedback to the person(s) responsible for the error(s) and completing relevant in-house documentation to initiate preventative action. 8
MERIT STATEMENT: Merit is not available for this unit. The competences covered by the unit involve the description and demonstrations of measures and procedures which are determined by current National Regulations and Practice. In the context of the unit it is therefore not possible to distinguish between different levels of competence. ASSESSMENT In order to achieve this unit, candidates are required to present sufficient evidence that they have met all the performance criteria for each outcome within the range specified. Details of these requirements are given for each outcome. The assessment instruments used should follow the general guidance offered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) assessment model and an integrative approach to assessment is encouraged. (See references at the end of support notes). Accurate records should be made of the assessment instruments used showing how evidence is generated for each outcome and giving marking schemes and/or checklists, etc. Records of candidates achievements should be kept. These records will be available for external verification. SPECIAL NEEDS Proposals to modify outcomes, range statements or agreed assessment arrangements should be discussed in the first place with the external verifier. Copyright SQA 1997 Please note that this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part for educational purposes provided that: (i) (ii) no profit is derived from the reproduction; if reproduced in part, the source is acknowledged. 9
HIGHER NATIONAL UNIT SPECIFICATION SUPPORT NOTES Unit number: 7690077 Unit title: PROCEDURES FOR PHARMACY DISPENSARY CHECKING TECHNICIANS SUPPORT NOTES: This part of the unit specification is offered as guidance. None of the sections of the support notes is mandatory. NOTIONAL DESIGN LENGTH: SQA allocates a notional design length to a unit on the basis of time estimated for achievement of the stated standards by a candidate whose starting point is as described in the access statement. The notional design length for this unit is 40 hours. The use of notional design length for programme design and timetabling is advisory only. PURPOSE The purpose of this unit is to enable the candidate to develop the knowledge and skills required for the role of a pharmacy dispensary checking technician. The unit is designed to build on previous training and experience gained in the workplace. It is recommended that candidates should be employed as a pharmacy technician and have been selected by the pharmacy manager for training as a pharmacy dispensary checking technician. CONTENT/CONTEXT Corresponding to Outcomes 1-6: Outcome 1 The candidate will need to have a good level of knowledge and understanding of: the role of the pharmacy dispensary checking technician the role of the pharmacist the importance of standard operating procedures with respect to quality of service quality systems - general principles with respect to dispensary management. Outcome 2 The candidate will need to have a good level of knowledge and understanding of: an awareness of common drug-food, drug-drug and drug-alcohol interactions and the use of appropriate reference sources to access the appropriate information, in particular the BNF. an awareness of reasonable drug dosage regimens and the use of reference sources to access the appropriate information eg. BNF, Data Sheet Compendium, Alder Hey Paediatric Formulary. 10
Outcome 3 The candidate will need to have a good level of knowledge and understanding of: Labellling requirements for dispensed medicines, including the recommendations for the use of plain english. additional labelling requirements. the appropriate use of patient information leaflets to meet patient needs. the need for and the appropriate use of delivery devices/compliance aids for patient with special need eg Dosetts, Medidose, Inhaler devices, Haleraids, oral syringes. Outcome 4 The candidate will need to have a good level of knowledge and understanding of: the use of reference sources to access information on the formulation and stability of medicines, including company ;literature, Data Sheet Compendium, Martindale, COSHH and Health and Safety requirements with respect to the safe preparation of extemporaneous medicines. Outcome 5 The candidate will need to have a good level of knowledge and understanding of: systematic procedures for accuracy checks. systematic procedures for dealing with errors/potential errors. the use of standard dispensary reference sources as defined by The Royal Pharmaceutical Society Common dispensing errors. Outcome 6 The candidate will need to have a good level of knowledge and understanding of: systematic procedures for accuracy checks systematic procedures for dealing with errors/potential errors the use of standard dispensary reference sources as defined by the The Royal Pharmaceutical Society common dispensing errors legal and ethical issues and local procedures relevant to the role of the pharmacy dispensary checking technician The Royal Pharmaceutical Society clinical trial guidelines the use of unlicensed preparations. people/problem management - interpersonal skills, problem solving skills relevant to the role of the pharmacy dispensary checking technician. 11
APPROACHES TO GENERATING EVIDENCE Candidates must have the opportunity to gain appropriate practical checking experience under supervision within the workplace and should be encouraged to use all the recognised reference sources in order to access information necessary to ensure the safe and effective dispensing of medicines. The underpinning knowledge may be provided by direct learning or open learning but should involve a resource based learning approach to enable the candidate to build on the knowledge and experience gained in he NC/SVQ course (or an equivalent qualification) and in the workplace. ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES Outcome 1 It is recommended that candidates will undertaken an assignment of approximately 1000-1500 words to provide evidence for all performance criteria. Outcome 2 It is recommended that case studies using simulated prescriptions are used to provide evidence for the performance criteria. Candidates should be allowed access to standard recognised reference sources for this assessment. The assessment of Outcome 2 should be restricted to drug interactions which are identified as being clinically significant in the BNF and dosage regimens which are inappropriate with respect to lying outwith the standard doses for patients of a particular age range. Outcome 3 It is recommended that case studies are used to provide evidence for all performance criteria. Outcome 4 It is recommended that case studies are used to provide evidence of all performance criteria. Candidates should be given specific examples of extemporaneous preparations which could be encountered in a pharmacy dispensary and should use recognised reference sources to access the in formation required to provide evidence for all performance criteria. Outcome 5 It is recommended that case studies involving simulated exercises are used to provide evidence of all performance criteria. Candidates will be presented with 10 simulated examples of dispensed medicines and will be required to identify errors and potential errors. They will also be required to identify errors and potential errors. They will also be required to identify the procedures necessary to rectify the errors and avoid the potential errors which have been identified. Outcome 6 12
Outcome 6 must be assessed in the workplace and appropriate reference sources must be made available for the assessment. Candidates must produce evidence of performing accuracy checks consistently on a minimum of 1000 dispensed items. In order to enable the candidates to consolidate their training and develop confidence in their role as a pharmacy dispensary checking technician, this must be carried out regularly over a period of not less than 12 weeks. PROGRESSION Candidates may progress to other units in the HNC Pharmaceutical Sciences framework. REFERENCES 1. Guide to unit writing, SQA, 1993 (Code: A018). 2. Guide to assessment, SQA, 1993 (Code: B005). 3. Guide to certification, SQA, 1996 (Code: F025). 4. Notes for unit writers, SQA, 1995 (Code: A041). For details of other SQA publications, please contact staff in the Sales and Despatch section (Tel: 0141-242 2168) who can supply you with a copy of the publication list (Code: X037). Copyright SQA 1997 Please note that this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part for educational purposes provided that: (i) (ii) no profit is derived from the reproduction; if reproduced in part, the source is acknowledged. 13