What are the Competence Standards, and where can I find them?
What does each domain cover?
M1 - Professionalism in Pharmacy
M2 - Communication and collaboration
O1 - Health and medicine management
O2 - Public healthcare
O3 - Supply and administration of medicines
O4 - Leadership and organisational management
How are the domains structured?
What are the Competence Standards, and where can I find them?
Supported by professional codes of ethics, competence standards describe the skills, attitudes and other attributes (including values and beliefs) attained by an individual based on knowledge and experience. They specify the application of that knowledge and skills to the standards of performance required in a practice setting. Together they enable the individual to practise effectively as a pharmacist. The value of competence standards rests with their capacity to support and facilitate professional practice and growth, in the interests of public safety. They may be expressed primarily as entry level competencies and behaviours but all pharmacists should look to build on these, as the behaviours expected of an experienced practitioner will exceed this level.
Competence standards also demonstrate to the public and other healthcare professionals the key expertise that pharmacists bring to patient care, and the role they play in ensuring the safe and responsible use of medicines.
(from Competence Standards for the Pharmacy Profession Pharmacy Council of NZ (2015)
The six Domains are:
M1 - Professionalism in Pharmacy
M2 - Communication and collaboration
O1 - Health and medicine management
O2 - Public healthcare
O3 - Supply and administration of medicines
O4 - Leadership and organisational management
They are available to download from the Pharmacy Council website: www.pharmacycouncil.org.nz > NZ Registered Pharmacists > Standards and Guidelines > Competence Standards
What does each domain cover?
The six domains each describe a broad area of pharmacy practice and outline the skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours a pharmacist must demonstrate within that area to be competent. This allows for academic or non-traditional role pharmacists to retain an Annual Practising Certificate (APC) without having to maintain competence in areas not relevant to their practice.
Domains M1 (Professionalism in Pharmacy) and M2 (Communication and collaboration) are compulsory for all pharmacists, regardless of the area in which they work.
Domains O1 (Health and medicine management); O2 (Public healthcare); O3 (Supply and administration of medicines) and O4 (Leadership and organisational management) are optional, although some domains and competencies will effectively become compulsory for many pharmacists, particularly where they are in direct patient care roles.
You can select single competencies from these optional domains; but we expect that your discussion with your learning partner will ensure that you have identified the domains and competencies relevant to what you do and your learning will reflect this.
M1 - Professionalism in Pharmacy – your professional, legal, ethical and cultural competence responsibilities
M1 is the first mandatory domain, and competence in all behaviours of this domain is mandatory for all pharmacists, regardless of the area in which they work.
Professionalism is encompassed by a set of attitudes, knowledge and skills based on clinical competence, communication skills, ethics, societal and legal requirements resulting in the application of behaviours that demonstrate a commitment to excellence, respect, integrity, empathy and accountability. This standard outlines these responsibilities which apply to all pharmacists, regardless of their pharmacy practice.
Cultural competence, or cultural confidence, goes beyond an awareness of or sensitivity to another culture to include the ability to use that knowledge in cross-cultural situations. It includes the development and implementation of processes, procedures and practices that support the delivery of culturally appropriate services.
The Domain includes the behaviours expected of pharmacists in maintaining and extending their professional competence, and in understanding that professional development is a means of advancing their practice.
Pharmacists are expected to demonstrate:
- Compassion, integrity and respect for others;
- Responsiveness to patient needs that supersedes self-interest;
- Respect for patient privacy and autonomy;
- Accountability to patients, society and the profession;
- Commitment to excellence; and
- Sensitivity and responsiveness to a diverse population, including but not limited to diversity in gender, age, culture, race, religion, disabilities and sexual orientation.
Click HERE for Domain M1 Guidance ( Competence Standards for the Pharmacy Profession; Pharmacy Council of NZ)
M2 - Communication and collaboration– ensuring effective communication whenever required, and the creation and maintenance of mutually supportive working relationships with colleagues
M2 is the second mandatory domain and competence in all behaviours of this Domain is mandatory for all pharmacists, regardless of the area in which they work.
The Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCAA) 2003 requires health professionals to communicate in and comprehend English to a level sufficient to protect the health and safety of the public. Pharmacists must be able to communicate effectively, which includes verbal, non-verbal, electronic and written communication so the recipient of the communication receives the intended message. Effective communication enables shared decision making with colleagues or with other healthcare professionals and with patients and/or their carers.
Collaboration and teamwork also requires effective communication. In an HDC opinion (11HDC01077) the Commissioner noted that “effective care involves appropriate communication with patients and their families. Furthermore, respectful and appropriate communication within teams is essential to ensure safe care”. Pharmacists should recognise the roles and skills of other health professionals, and seek to establish co-operative working relationships with all colleagues based on an understanding of, and respect for each other’s roles.
Click HERE for Domain M2 Guidance (Competence Standards for the Pharmacy Profession ; Pharmacy Council of NZ)
O1 - Health and medicine management - The selection, monitoring and evaluation of medicine therapy, encouraging and assisting people to take responsibility for their own health and accessing, providing and providing pharmacy and health information
01 Is the first optional domain, however this domain will apply to all pharmacists practicing in roles involving direct patient contact, if your advice, recommendations and action have a direct impact on patient outcomes, including dispensing medicines or providing primary health care. This includes all community pharmacists and most hospital pharmacists (Some behaviours may not apply to pharmacists working in secondary care)
The Domain encompasses a pharmacist's role in providing healthcare advice and treatment to individual patients in response to requests from them or about them. It incorporates the holistic care of patients including assessment, treatment and advice for common minor ailments. The pharmacist is responsible for promoting the safe and appropriate use of medicines, for education and for identifying and referring those patients who require a more comprehensive medical assessment, all within an environment of professional pharmaceutical care. The role may also include selecting, recommending, monitoring and evaluating medicine therapy as part of a healthcare team.
Providing high quality and safe healthcare is the primary goal of the health system and by continually improving the quality of their services, pharmacists will safeguard these high standards of care. In doing so, pharmacists must be mindful of the key principles in the HDC Code of Health and Disability Consumers' Rights Regulations.
The medicines information competency in this Domain applies primarily to practice-based research. It includes accessing, interpreting, evaluating, compiling, summarising, generating and disseminating information for the purpose of optimising medicine related health outcomes.
Click HERE for Domain O1 Guidance (Competence Standards for the Pharmacy Profession ; Pharmacy Council of NZ )
O2 - Public healthcare - Awareness of, and contribution to public and preventative health for both communities and individuals
O2 is the second optional domain. Competence in all behaviours of this domain is optional, however this Domain applies to all pharmacists who, at any time, use their knowledge to promote the use of reliable health information resources and support healthy lifestyle choices. This includes participating in early detection and intervention programmes, as well as activities directed at health promotion and disease prevention.
The Domain encompasses the pharmacist’s awareness of, and contribution to public and preventative health activities, directed at both communities and at individuals. As members of the healthcare team, pharmacists help focus attention on the prevention and management of diseases and other health conditions through the promotion of healthy communities, individuals and environments. Pharmacists provide information, advice and education on health awareness, healthy lifestyles and wellness, and disease prevention and management.
Click HERE for Domain O2 Guidance (Competence Standards for the Pharmacy Profession ; Pharmacy Council of NZ)
O3 - Supply and administration of medicines - The supply (including preparation of pharmaceutical products), and administration of medicines, including counselling patients about their medicines
O3 is an optional domain. Competence in all behaviours of this Domain is optional, however this Domain applies to all pharmacists who, at any time, are required to supply and/or administer medicines. It includes all actions and responsibilities of the pharmacist from the receipt of a prescription, medicine order or patient request through to counselling the patient about optimal use of the medicine.
The Domain covers the supply of Prescription Medicines and Pharmacist Only Medicines, including extemporaneously compounded products. It includes a new competency relating to the administration of medicines with a specific behaviour relating to the administration of injectable medicines.
Pharmacists have an independent duty of care to use their professional judgement and apply their expertise to protect and promote the safety, health and well-being of patients and the public. They do this by applying their professional skills and knowledge to optimise the results achieved from the use of Prescription Medicines and Pharmacist Only Medicines, when supplied following receipt of a prescription, medicine order or patient request.
The provision of extemporaneously compounded pharmaceutical products is a professional service involving the use of medication related and/or clinical information and quality assurance processes. This Domain covers the preparation of single or multiple use pharmaceutical products in community and hospital pharmacies, intended for immediate use by a specific patient. Products will be prepared in a range of settings where the available equipment and facilities may vary significantly; however all products must be prepared in accordance with the Health and Disability Services Pharmacy Services Standards NZS 8134.7, relating to dispensing and compounding.
Click HERE for Domain O3 Guidance (Competence Standards for the Pharmacy Profession ; Pharmacy Council of NZ)
O4 - Leadership and organisational management - General management and organisation skills ensuring effective and efficient service delivery. This domain includes Health and Safety responsibilities.
O4 is an optional domain. Competence in all behaviours of this Domain is optional, however this Domain applies to all pharmacists in all practice settings who, at any time, (and at any level) contribute to the ongoing development of the current and future workforce. This role includes the development, evaluation and improvement of policies and systems to ensure a safe and quality work environment where all legislative and professional requirements are met.
The Domain includes competencies that relate to the way pharmacists apply management and organisational skills to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of services. Leadership and organisational management are complementary. All pharmacists should undertake a leadership role as well as develop the ability to manage resources (human, physical and financial) and information effectively. Business planning may be part of this.
The Domain also addresses the responsibility of pharmacists to provide an environment where risks to the safety and well-being of personnel and the public are managed and minimised.
Click HERE for Domain O4 Guidance (Competence Standards for the Pharmacy Profession ; Pharmacy Council of NZ)
How is each domain structured?
There are six domains – each is based on the overarching principles of the core areas of professional activity within the Pharmacist Scope of Practice. Each domain is made up several competencies that consist of a number of behaviours.
Competencies are subsets of the domains – they describe the attributes of professional practice in the workplace within that domain. Competencies contain several behaviours.
Behaviours are subsets of the competencies - they indicate the integrated knowledge, skills and attitudes expected in the workplace. They describe the observable results or behaviours that a competent professional would demonstrate.
