PHARMACY ASSISTANTS (STATE) AWARD
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
COMMISSION OF NEW SOUTH WALES
Application by The New
South Wales Pharmacy Guild, industrial organisation of employers.
(No. IRC 2568 of 2003)
|
Before The Honourable Justice
Glynn
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26 June 2003
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VARIATION
1. Delete from
clause 1, Arrangement, of the award published 13 October 2000 (319 I.G.285),
the words "Classification and Gradings" and insert the words
"Work Standards and Classification Arrangements For Pharmacy Assistants":
2. Delete clause
19, Classifications and Gradings, of the award and insert in lieu thereof the
following new clause as follows:
19. Work Standards
and Classification Arrangements for Pharmacy Assistants
19.1 Limitation of
Work
19.1.1 Pharmacy
assistants assist pharmacists in the provision of goods and services to the
community.
19.1.2 Pharmacy
assistants perform tasks which support pharmacists in the discharge of the
pharmacists’ legal and professional responsibilities to the community.
19.1.3 Pharmacy
assistants must undertake duties as directed within the limits of their
competence.
19.1.4 Pharmacy
assistants work under the direction and supervision of pharmacists.
19.2 Savings
19.2.1 Nothing
in this award shall be deemed to be construed to:
19.2.1.1 Reduce
the salary, wages or allowances;
19.2.1.2 Alter
unfavourably the terms and conditions of employment applying to any one
employee immediately prior to the date of operation of this variation.
19.2.2 A
Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 1 first six months is an employee who has
commenced employment in a community pharmacy and is in the process of acquiring
the competencies listed for Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 1.
19.2.3 A
Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 1 is an employee who has acquired the
competencies listed for Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 1 working in a
community pharmacy.
19.2.4 A
Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 2 is an employee who has acquired the
competencies listed for Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 2.
19.2.5 A
Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 3 is an employee who has acquired the
competencies listed for Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 3 and who is
required by the employer to work at this level.
A Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 3 may be required
to supervise Pharmacy Assistants at Competency Levels 1 and 2.
19.2.6 A
Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 4 is an employee who has acquired the
competencies listed for Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 4 and who is
required by the employer to work at this level.
A Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 4 may be required
to supervise Pharmacy Assistants at Competency Levels 1, 2 and 3.
19.2.7 Where
units of competence are referred to below, they relate to the Community
Pharmacy Competency Standards in the Community Pharmacy Training Package
endorsed by the Australian National Training Authority in February 2002.
19.3 Competencies
Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 1
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WRPCS101A
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Meet and greet pharmacy customers
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WRPDIS101A
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Accept prescriptions for dispensing
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WRPCS102A
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Work effectively within the pharmacy industry
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WRRCS2B
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Apply point-of-sale handling procedures
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WRRM2B
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Perform routine housekeeping duties
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WRRLP1B
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Apply safe working practices
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WRRLP2B
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Minimise theft
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WRRCA1B
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Operate retail equipment
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Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 2
Competencies required for Pharmacy Assistant Competency
Level 1 plus:
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WRRM1B
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Merchandise products
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WRRI1B
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Perform stock control procedures
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WRRS1B
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Sell products and services
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WRPDIS202A
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Delivery of medication
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WRRF1B
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Balance register/terminal
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WRPPK201A
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Apply product knowledge for analgesics and
anti-inflammatory needs
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WRPPK203A
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Apply product knowledge for cough and cold needs
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WRPPK205A
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Apply product knowledge for eye, ear and oral care needs
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WRPPK206A
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Apply product knowledge for gastro-intestinal needs
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WRPPK208A
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Apply product knowledge for injury and wound care needs
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WRPPK210A
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Apply product knowledge for allergy conditions
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WRPPK211A
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Apply product knowledge for skin and fungal conditions
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WRPPK213A
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Apply product knowledge for vitamin and mineral requirements
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WRPPK214A
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Apply product knowledge for women’s and men’s health needs
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Plus any 3 units from:
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THCGQAO1A
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Apply quality standards and procedures (equivalent to 3
units)
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WRPPK204A
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Apply product knowledge for diet and nutrition needs
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WRPPK207A
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Apply product knowledge for home health care needs
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WRPPK202A
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Apply product knowledge for baby and infant care needs
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WRPPK212A
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Apply product knowledge for veterinary and pet care needs
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WRPPK209A
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Apply product knowledge for personal grooming needs
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WRPPK215A
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Apply product knowledge for photographic needs
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Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 3
All competencies marked with an asterisk (*) count as 2
units.
Competencies required for Pharmacy Assistant Competency
Level 2 plus:
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WRRCS3B
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Interact with customers
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WRRS4B
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Build relationships with customers
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WRRI.3A
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Order stock
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Plus either:
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WRPDIS303A
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Assist in dispensary operations
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And 2 units from:
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WRPDIS304A
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Assist in dispensary administration
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WRPDIS305A
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Assist in dispensary stock control
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WRPDIS306A
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Assist in dispensary housekeeping
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WRPDIS307A
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Assist in preparing dose administration containers
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Or 3 units from:
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WRPPK316A
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Provide health care advice, products and services on
asthma needs
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WRPPK317A
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Provide health care advice, products and services on blood
pressure needs
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WRPPK318 A
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Provide health care advice, products and services on
complementary
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|
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medicine needs
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WRPPK319A
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Provide health care advice, products and services on
diabetes needs
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WRPPK320A
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Provide health care advice, products and services on pregnancy
and
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maternal health needs
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WRPPK321A
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Provide health care advice, products and services on
smoking cessation
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|
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needs
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WRPPK322A
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Provide health care advice, products and services on wound
care needs
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Or 3 units from:
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WRRCA4B
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Co-ordinate retail office*
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WRRCA5B
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Operate retail information technology systems*
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WRRF2B
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Perform retail finance duties*
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WRRF3B
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Produce financial reports*
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WRRF4B
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Prepare payroll*
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Plus 6 units from:
Any units listed above for Pharmacy Assistant
Competency Level 3 not already counted
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WRRS3B
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Co-ordinate sales performance*
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WRPMAR301A
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Market and promote a community pharmacy products/services
area*
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WRRM3B
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Co-ordinate merchandise presentation
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WRRI.2A
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Maintain stock control
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WRRM.4A
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Co-ordinate housekeeping
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WRRLP5B
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Apply store security systems and procedures
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WRPPM301A
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Co-ordinate pharmacy staff*
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WRRER3B
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Maintain employee relations*
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BSBFLM309A
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Support continuous improvement systems and processes
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BSZ404A
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Train small groups
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Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 4
Competencies required for Pharmacy Assistant Competency
Level 3 plus:
|
WRRLP3B
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Maintain store safety
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WRRLP4B
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Maintain store security
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WRRCS4B
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Co-ordinate interaction with customers
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WRR02B
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Manage sales and service delivery
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WRRPM3B
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Lead and manage people
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WRRO1B
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Manage merchandise and store presentation
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WRPCS102A
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Work effectively within the pharmacy industry
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Plus 10 units from:
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WRR03B
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Provide a safe working environment
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WRPPM402A
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Manage pharmacy staffing*
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WRRPM1B
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Administer human resources policy*
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WRRPM2B
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Recruit and select personnel*
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PMLQUAL601A
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Conduct an internal audit of the quality system*
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WRPQUA401A
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Conduct an external audit of the quality system*
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BSZ401A
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Plan assessment
)
|
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BSZ402A
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Conduct assessment
) (2 units in total)
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BSZ403A
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Review assessment
)
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WRRPL1B
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Manage financial resources*
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WRRO4B
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Control store security/loss*
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WRRO5B
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Control inventory*
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WRRO6B
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Manage store facilities
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WRRI4B
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Buy merchandise*
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19.4 Classification
Process
19.4.1 Employers
may choose to classify staff themselves.
19.4.2 The
new classification structure will come into effect from the date of variation
of award. All employers are required to
classify their employees according to the classification structure within six
months from date of variation. This
classification process will take into account the levels of competency of
pharmacy assistants when assessed against the competencies listed above.
19.4.3 In classifying
employees, evidence of competency at the various levels will be satisfied if
the employee possesses the relevant qualification issued following successful
completion of training from the Community Pharmacy Training Package at a
particular level, or following a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment
conducted by a qualified assessor.
19.4.4 The
Community Pharmacy Training Package has been developed to meet the specific
needs of community pharmacy.
Qualifications are issued in accordance with the Australian Quality
Training Framework.
19.4.5 Employees
without the relevant qualification will often not have the skill levels
indicated in the competency standards.
19.4.6 The
relevant national qualifications at each competency level of pharmacy assistant
are as follows:
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Pharmacy Assistant Competency
Level 1
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Certificate I in Community Pharmacy
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Pharmacy Assistant Competency
Level 2
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Certificate II in Community Pharmacy
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Pharmacy Assistant Competency
Level 3
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Certificate III in Community Pharmacy
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Pharmacy Assistant Competency
Level 4
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Certificate IV in Community
Pharmacy
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19.5 Transition
Arrangements
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Old Classification
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New Classification
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Pharmacy Assistant Grade 1 first six months,
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Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 1 first six
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trainee or unqualified
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months
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Pharmacy Assistant Grade 1
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Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 1
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Pharmacy Assistant Grade 2
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Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 2
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Pharmacy Assistant Grade 3
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Pay rate preserved by savings clause.
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Classification to be phased out as employees are
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classified under this clause by 2 January 2004.
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Pharmacy Assistant Grade 4
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Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 3
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No previous classification
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Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 4
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19.6 Translation
Arrangements
19.6.1 Employers
will reclassify employees into the revised structure on the basis of levels of
competence of employees, having regard to the minimum requirements for classification
at Level 1 or Level 2.
19.6.2 Where
employers require employees to perform work at the level of competency required
of a Level 3 or a Level 4, employees shall be reclassified accordingly,
provided they have acquired the requisite level of competence.
19.6.3 Employees
who have achieved levels of competency equal to Pharmacy Assistants, Levels 3
and 4, shall only be employed against this classification where the employer
has positions available at that level and requires the employee to utilise the
skills acquired.
19.6.4 In
the event of a dispute concerning the classification of a particular employee
the dispute shall be processed in accordance with clause 46, Settlement of
Disputes and Grievances.
3. Delete Table
1 - Wages, of Part B, Monetary Rates, and insert in lieu thereof the following:
Table 1 - Wages
(i)
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Competency Level
|
Total Rate per Week
|
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Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 1 first six months
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$480.10
|
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Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 1
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$490.40
|
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Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 2
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$500.60
|
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Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 3
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$523.10
|
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Pharmacy Assistant Competency Level 4
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$556.70
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(ii) Junior
Pharmacy Assistants shall receive the following percentages of the appropriate adult
rate for Pharmacy Assistant:
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Under 16 years of age
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40%
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At 16 years of age
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50%
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At 17 years of age
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60%
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At 18 years of age
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70%
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At 19 years of age
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80%
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At 20 years of age
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90%
|
Junior rates shall be calculated to the nearest five
cents, any part of five cents not exceeding half of five cents to be
disregarded.
4. This
variation shall take effect on and from 26 June 2003.
L. C. GLYNN J.
____________________
Printed by the
authority of the Industrial Registrar.