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What is the DONCS LX? 

The Direct Observation of Non-Clinical Skills (DONCS) is a Workplace Based Assessment (WBA) tool that can be used to provide formative assessment as part of an approved training and development program and/or for inclusion towards ANZCAP recognition. 

It can be used to facilitate exploration of a pharmacist's management, leadership problem-solving, communication and/or critical thinking skills through real-time or retrospective review of a professional situation.  

The main outcome of the interaction between pharmacist and collaborator should be to promote feedback and reflection of current professional practice in a situation that utilizes a combination of management, leadership problem-solving, communication and/or critical thinking skills in a chosen professional setting or topic. 

Direct Observation of Non-Clinical Skills (DONCS) Process 

When used for ANZCAP recognition a DONCS may be completed as a collaborative or autonomous Learning Experience. A DONCS may be conducted in real-time or as a retrospective reflection.

The process for completing a DONCS is as follows: 

The final discussion aspect of the DONCS should be conducted in an appropriate working space that lends itself to privacy due to patient confidently and pharmacist comfort. 

Choosing a Situation or Skill 

There is a wide variety of skills or situations that may be appropriate for reflection using the DONCS LX.

Example

• Implementation or management of a professional service in the pharmacy 

• Presentation to key stakeholders

• Stakeholder engagement/management (e.g., aged care facility) 

• Working with or leading a team to implement a new guideline or run a campaign 

• Chairing or participating in a committee/working group  

• Participating in an interview panel for recruitment 

• Facilitating a staff meeting

• Leading staff recruitment processes

Prior to the DONCS the pharmacist and collaborator should confirm the practice recognition level and practice setting/topic that the situation will allow the pharmacist to show. 

Practice Recognition Level 

The Collaborative DONCS Learning Experience is mapped to:

• Domain 1 & 2 of the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia 2016. Please note that not all the domain 1 & 2 indicators listed in this document may be relevant to this Learning Experience.

• Domain 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the Competence Standards for Pharmacists in Aotearoa New Zealand Pharmacists, 2023. Please note that not all the Domain 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 behaviours listed in these competence standards may be relevant to this Learning Experience

Please refer to the ANZCAP recognition descriptors article for the further guidance on markers of performance for each ANZCAP recognition level. The pharmacist and collaborator should indicate in the Learning Experience which of the three levels of practice recognition (pharmacist resident, register, consultant) they are currently practicing at or a candidate for. 

Complexity 

In some scenarios the same skill or situation may be used for pharmacists aiming for different levels of practice recognition. However, the complexity and expected knowledge and skills expected to be displayed will vary. 

The pharmacist and collaborator should come to an agreement on the complexity (low, medium or high) of the scenario in relation to the level of recognition the pharmacist is practicing at.

Collaborator 

The collaborator must be familiar with the Direct Observation of Non-Clinical Skill LX. 

The collaborator must ensure that they have the required expertise and scope of practice to confidently provide the candidate with feedback on the setting/topic being assessed in the DONCS.

The collaborator should ensure that they have directly observed a significant proportion or key stages of the skill being carried out by the pharmacist. 

Collaborators may come from a variety of health professional backgrounds e.g., pharmacy, medical, surgical. Management. 

Further guidance for collaborators involved in this learning experience can be found here. 

Reflection, Feedback & Goal Setting 

The main aim of the DONCS as a Learning Experience is to promote feedback and reflection of a pharmacist's management, leadership problem-solving, communication and/or critical thinking skills through real-time or retrospective review of a professional situation. 

Skill Evaluation

Within the DONCS LX there are key skills (and descriptors) that the pharmacist and collaborator should discuss during the feedback and reflection conversation. Each skill should be evaluated with comments from the discussion and a marker of; below, meets or exceeds.

Feedback

The DONCS LX encourages use of the Pendleton feedback method to guide reflection. This method encourages self-reflection and proactive discussions for development.

Development Goals

The pharmacist and collaborator are encouraged to utilize the SMART goal technique to develop any learning or development goals that are identified from the reflection and feedback discussion. 

Forms and Templates 

Evidence of DONCS is documented directly into the ANZCAP digital platform as a Collaborative Learning Experience (LX). For further step by step instructions on how to do this please refer to the How to complete a Learning Experience article.

If ANZCAP members wish to use a DONCS form from their own organisation, the completed form may be uploaded into the Supporting Evidence section of the LX. (Please note that for the LX to become validated the candidate must still complete all sections marked with an asterisk (*) and the collaborator must document their involvement via the electronic collaborator declaration process).

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